Rice water for babies is one of the oldest weaning foods that people in several cultures use due to its availability, simple preparation, and affordability. To prepare rice water, you need to cook the rice until it turns smooth and gets completely dissolved into the water. Drain the boiled rice, and the remaining suspended starch is called rice water (1). But though feeding rice water to babies seems a good choice, is it a safe weaning food choice? Read on as we tell you more about the nutritional value of rice water, its possible benefits, side effects, and more.
Is Rice Water Good For Babies?
Rice water is often recommended as baby’s first food as per traditional weaning practices. It is done partly due to its easy digestibility and hypoallergenic nature. Yet, keeping its overall nutritional value in focus, rice water cannot be considered as a standalone first choice for babies. Why is it so? Well, the answer lies in its nutritional value.
Nutritional Value of Rice Water
Rice water is an all-liquid rice product composed of starch, certain bioactive compounds (2), water-soluble vitamins like vitamin-B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin), and minerals like sodium and potassium. When compared to whole rice, rice water lacks fiber, fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin-A, and some vital rice proteins too. Thus, it should ideally be used for babies as supplementary food along with other foods like mashed sweet potato, other vegetables and pulse puree. It will allow the baby’s meal to contain a portion of protein, micronutrients, and fiber. Note: Rice water should not be used as a replacement for breast milk. Using rice water as the sole source of nutrition for babies must also be avoided.
When To Give Rice Water To Babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies up to six months. Infants, around the age of six months, are often considered ready to start weaning foods (3). So, if your child shows signs of readiness by four months of age, you can plan to start rice water for your baby under the guidance of a pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist. Let’s explore the benefits of rice water that make it one of the leading choices as a weaning food.
Health Benefits Of Rice Water For Babies
Rice water is not considered adequate for babies, yet it has some health benefits derived from its nutritional value. Note: Rice water has some benefits but is not a replacement to breast milk. It should only be used as a complementary food to be consumed with food items from other food groups or may be used when the baby is thirsty.
Drawbacks of Giving Rice Water To Your Baby
Rice water does have its share of disadvantages when introduced in a baby’s diet: Therefore, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist before introducing rice water to your baby. If your baby’s doctor has given you the go ahead, then you might want to know the preparation process of rice water.
Rice Water Recipe
Always prepare a fresh batch of rice water for your baby. Here is how you can make it
2tbsp rice – Two tablespoons 1 cup water
Precautions While Introducing Rice Water To Babies
Give preference to organic rice Rinse rice with water thoroughly before cooking Cook rice in 6-10 parts of water to one part of rice
Remember that rice water must be a part of a wholesome meal containing food items from various categories.
References:
title: “Are There Any Health Benefits Of Rice Water For Babies " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-20” author: “Laine Stevenson”
Rice water for babies is one of the oldest weaning foods that people in several cultures use due to its availability, simple preparation, and affordability. To prepare rice water, you need to cook the rice until it turns smooth and gets completely dissolved into the water. Drain the boiled rice, and the remaining suspended starch is called rice water (1). But though feeding rice water to babies seems a good choice, is it a safe weaning food choice? Read on as we tell you more about the nutritional value of rice water, its possible benefits, side effects, and more.
Is Rice Water Good For Babies?
Rice water is often recommended as baby’s first food as per traditional weaning practices. It is done partly due to its easy digestibility and hypoallergenic nature. Yet, keeping its overall nutritional value in focus, rice water cannot be considered as a standalone first choice for babies. Why is it so? Well, the answer lies in its nutritional value.
Nutritional Value of Rice Water
Rice water is an all-liquid rice product composed of starch, certain bioactive compounds (2), water-soluble vitamins like vitamin-B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin), and minerals like sodium and potassium. When compared to whole rice, rice water lacks fiber, fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin-A, and some vital rice proteins too. Thus, it should ideally be used for babies as supplementary food along with other foods like mashed sweet potato, other vegetables and pulse puree. It will allow the baby’s meal to contain a portion of protein, micronutrients, and fiber. Note: Rice water should not be used as a replacement for breast milk. Using rice water as the sole source of nutrition for babies must also be avoided.
When To Give Rice Water To Babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies up to six months. Infants, around the age of six months, are often considered ready to start weaning foods (3). So, if your child shows signs of readiness by four months of age, you can plan to start rice water for your baby under the guidance of a pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist. Let’s explore the benefits of rice water that make it one of the leading choices as a weaning food.
Health Benefits Of Rice Water For Babies
Rice water is not considered adequate for babies, yet it has some health benefits derived from its nutritional value. Note: Rice water has some benefits but is not a replacement to breast milk. It should only be used as a complementary food to be consumed with food items from other food groups or may be used when the baby is thirsty.
Drawbacks of Giving Rice Water To Your Baby
Rice water does have its share of disadvantages when introduced in a baby’s diet: Therefore, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist before introducing rice water to your baby. If your baby’s doctor has given you the go ahead, then you might want to know the preparation process of rice water.
Rice Water Recipe
Always prepare a fresh batch of rice water for your baby. Here is how you can make it
2tbsp rice – Two tablespoons 1 cup water
Precautions While Introducing Rice Water To Babies
Give preference to organic rice Rinse rice with water thoroughly before cooking Cook rice in 6-10 parts of water to one part of rice
Remember that rice water must be a part of a wholesome meal containing food items from various categories.
