OVERVIEW: – Spices play significant role in food. It is also used in cooking and medicinal purpose. They improve the natural flavor of cuisines. This will help prevent a reaction to the spice like an upset stomach or allergic reaction.

Many parents offer spiced food to their babies during annaprasan, it is a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of eating food. Spices come from the seeds, fruits and other parts of certain plants.

INTRODUCE SPICES TO BABIES IN THESE WAYS:-

• A clove of garlic or a small piece of ginger can be grated into meals like soups, or dals.
• Some Powdered spices such as turmeric, coriander and cumin can be added a pinch during cooking.
• A few whole seeds like fennel (saunf), mustard (sarson) and cumin (jeera) can be used during cooking.
• A pinch of cinnamon (dalchini), cardamom (elaichi) powder can be added to rice puddings.
• Fresh herbs like mint (pudina) and coriander (dhania) can be used as a garnish in poha, and rice dishes.

RIGHT AGE TO START BABY ON SPICE:-

After weaning foods to child, a small number of mild spices such as cardamom, cumin and turmeric can be added to her food. Seven to eight months is the absolutely right age to introduce spices to baby’s diet. Seven and eight months is completely right age for giving spices to children. These spices have many health benefits. So, it’s essential to give spices to kids in proper age.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPICES: –

1.) TURMERIC:-

Another name of haldi is turmeric it is a member of the ginger family. It is used topically for skin disorders like inflammation, infected wounds, and ringworm. It is more effective in the treatment of arthritis, and stomach infections like diarrhea, intestinal gas, and loss of appetite.  When child is suffering from cough, cold, then take warm glass of turmeric mixed with milk give it to baby.

2.) BLACK PEPPER:-

Black pepper, also known as peppercorn, is made from the dried fruit of a flowering vine, native to South India.  It helps to facilitate digestion and relief upset stomachs. If your child has indigestion or heaviness in the stomach, a quarter teaspoon of black pepper powder mixed in thin buttermilk should be consumed to alleviate discomfort.

3.) CARDAMOM: –

Cardamom is a spice with a strong taste, resinous fragrance, and intense aroma. It can be used in many digestive issues including gas, heartburn and loss of appetite and bloating.  Cardamom has a rich variety of vitamins, it is ideal for cardiovascular health, treating depression, controlling cholesterol levels, and cure urinary tract infections.

4.) CLOVE: –

Clove is a spice derived from the dried flower-buds of the clove tree. Clove oil used as a painkiller when it applied topically, and can help with stomach issues like gas, diarrhea, nausea and upset stomach. It helps in blood circulation, and can stimulate the skin when applied directly to it, and remove acne.

5.) CUMIN: –

Cumin is a spice derived from the seeds of the cumin plant. It is used to reduce digestive problems, reduce instances of anemia and common cold. Cumin helps to reduce stomach pains and prevent other digestive system disorder.

SAFE SPICES FOR KIDS: – Some spice like coriander, mild curry powder, nutmeg, turmeric, black pepper, cumin, fennel, dill, oregano, and thyme are safe for kids.

HOW TO START BABIES ON SPICES: – Many ways to start spices in kids. These are following ways:-

1.) Begin with aromatic spices like cinnamon turmeric, card mom, cumin, coriander and clove. Hot spices like pepper can irritate young tongue and tummies and can wait.

2.) Spice thoroughly with the food to get rid of any bacterial contamination that can sometimes be present in spice batches.

3.) Allergies to spices are rare but can happen. If you are seen any type og allergy then stop it for 4-5 days.

4.) Start with small amounts of spice and build from there

5.) Don’t give up if baby, toddler or kid rejects the new flavor. Remember, it can take up to 10-15 exposures to introduce a new flavor for to kids.

WHY GIVE SPICES TO KIDS:-

• Spices have a health and medicinal benefits – turmeric fights inflammation and cancer, cinnamon is an anti-diabetes superhero, paprika prevents obesity, cumin boosts digestion, cardamom reduces nausea and coriander is a powerful anti-bacterial.
• Spices can serve as natural remedies for various common ailments like colds and digestive upsets, reducing the need for antibiotics and other medications with unpleasant side effects.
• Spices expose babies, toddlers and kids to new tastes, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy, adventurous eating.
• Spices infuse food with flavor, reducing the need for excess salt and sugar.

ESSENTIAL FIVE SPICES FOR KIDS: –

These five spices are very essential for kids, it may include: –

• TURMERIC
• CUMIN
• CARDAMOM
• CORIANDER
• NUTMEG