7 Healthy Indian Winter Foods for Babies With Recipes

Winter is almost here and we all love delicious foods that warm up our bodies on those cold, winter days. As babies start eating solid foods, even they enjoy new and different foods. But winter calls for some extra care when feeding your little one. Your baby’s diet should include foods that enhance his immunity and protect him from cold and flu. So, here are seven amazing foods with recipes for your little munchkin.

Video: 5 Indian Winter Foods for Babies with Recipes

Healthy Winter Foods With Recipes for Babies

As your little one starts enjoying solid foods, you need to be a little creative to get him to eat food that is good for his health. Here are some food recipes that will give your baby the right nourishment and won’t take up a lot of your time.

1. Spiced Milk With Nuts

It is a wonderful way to include the goodness of dry fruits in your baby’s diet during the winter season. The nuts and spices in this recipe will keep your little one warm and help build his immunity.

Benefits

The goodness of nuts helps a toddler gain strength and improves immunity. Its mild aromatic flavour makes it tempting and the best thing about this dish is that the nut powder can be easily stored and it can be added to milk anywhere.

Suggested Recipe

• Almonds- 10
• Shelled pistachios- 10
• Cashews- 10
• Cardamom powder- ½ tsp
• Nutmeg powder-  ¼ – ½ tsp
• Saffron strands- 2-3
• Milk: 1 cup
• Sugar- as per taste

Take the nuts and blend them in a mixer till you get a coarse, powdery mix. Add the cardamom powder and nutmeg powder to the nuts and mix well. Put the nut mix in an airtight container. Pour the milk in a pan and warm it till it gets scalding hot but does not boil. Add sugar and mix well, then add the nut mix allowing the milk to thicken. Take the pan off the heat and pour the milk in a mug and garnish this delicious drink with strands of saffron and sprinkle some nut mix.

2. Fluffy & Cheesy Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are one of the most versatile food items and they are so easy to make. Try out this scrumptious preparation of eggs that will leave your kids wanting for more.

Benefits

Eggs are a rich source of protein and have vitamins and minerals that help in the growth and development of your child. Cheese is another source of high protein and also has calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and D.

Suggested Recipe

• Eggs- 2
• Water- ¼ tbsp
• Butter- ½ tbsp
• Shredded cheddar cheese- 2 tbsp
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, whisk the eggs and add the water and salt and pepper to the whisked eggs. In a pan, melt the butter and pour the egg mixture. Stir the eggs for 3 to 5 minutes or until soft curds start to form. Once you’re happy with the consistency, take the pan off the heat and add the cheese to the eggs.

3. Garlic-Butter Broccoli

Want to make your kids like broccoli but don’t know how? This fibrous vegetable will be your little one’ s new favourite.

Benefits

Broccoli is full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for a child’s development. It is also rich in antioxidants and promotes bone development. Additionally, garlic boosts immunity and protects the body against the flu and cold.

Suggested Recipe

• Broccoli- 1 bunch or ½ kg
• Garlic- 2 cloves, minced
• Butter- 2 tbsp (unsalted)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Boil the broccoli in lightly salted water till it becomes tender. In a pan, melt the butter and cook the garlic till it softens. Add the cooked broccoli to the pan and mix the salt and pepper. This dish can be served as a snack or as a side dish in a meal.

4. Cream of Tomato Soup

It is a delicate and tangy soup made with cream, spices, and fresh tomatoes which is wholesome and healthy.

Benefits

It contains vitamin C and boosts natural immunity. A bowl of tomato soup is very refreshing and energizing and babies will love it.

Suggested Recipe

• Tomatoes: 3 to 4
• Onions: 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• Garlic: 4 small cloves, finely chopped
• Bread cubes: optional
• Butter/ghee: 1 tsp
• Pepper powder: ½ tsp
• Fresh cream: 1 tsp

Boil tomatoes after washing them well. Grind the boiled and peeled tomatoes to make a fine puree. Toast the bread cubes in some butter. Melt the remaining butter in a pan and add the chopped onions and garlic. Add pureed tomatoes once the onions turn golden in colour. Then add ¼ cup of water and boil on a medium flame. Add salt, pepper, and fresh cream and mix well. Serve warm with the toasted bread cubes.

5. Vegetables and Lentil Soup

A bowl of this creamy and flavoured soup and your little one’s belly will be full of nutritious deliciousness. If your munchkin is not eating a wholesome meal, you can give him vegetables and lentil soup.

Benefits

Assorted vegetables, lentils, and mild spices are full of nutrition. Legumes and vegetables are also a good source of proteins and vitamins.

Suggested Recipe

• Yellow lentil (Moong dal): 4 tbsp
• Cumin seeds: ¼ tsp
• Carrot, beans, peas, potato: 1 cup, mixed together
• Garlic: 1 or 2
• Butter/ ghee: ¼ tsp.
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wash and pressure-cook the chopped veggies along with yellow lentil. Allow them to cool slightly then blend to make a smooth paste. Reheat the blended soup with butter or ghee and add salt and pepper to it and serve warm.

6. Almond Halwa / Badam Halwa

It is a delicious, healthy dessert which is made with milk, sugar, ghee and almonds.

Benefits

Almonds keep the body warm in winters and stimulate the digestion process. They are also a good source of proteins, which help strengthen the bones. Being rich in proteins and carbohydrates, almonds also provide instant energy to babies.

Suggested Recipe

• Almonds: 1 cup
• Milk: ¾ cup
• Sugar: ¾
• Ghee: ¼ cup

Soak almonds for about 4 hours and then peel their skin. Take almonds, sugar, and milk in a mixer to make a coarse paste. Melt 2 tbsp. of ghee in a pan and add the paste to it. Add the remaining ghee while stirring continuously. When the halwa thickens, switch off the gas. It should be soft, neither sticky nor wet.

7. Carrot Halwa

It is a traditional dessert in India which is mostly prepared in winters to keep the body insulated.

Benefits

This recipe calls for fresh carrots along with loads of ghee, nuts, and milk. It has the essential nutrients to boost the immune system. White sugar, if replaced by palm or brown sugar will make it healthier.

Suggested Recipe

• Carrots: 3
• Milk: 1 cup
• Palm/Brown sugar: ¾ cup
• Ghee: 3 tbsp
• Cashews: 10
• Raisins: 1 tbsp.

Wash, peel, and grate the carrots. Fry the cashews and raisins in a tablespoon of ghee. Once the nuts are fried, remove them from the pan. Add the grated carrot and saute until the raw flavour goes. Add milk and cook on medium heat. Once the milk is absorbed, add sugar. When the halwa thickens, add the fried cashews and raisins and turn off the flame.

If you are not sure about which foods to give to your baby in winters, try the ones mentioned above. The goodness of the ingredients will give you a power-packed meal.

Also Read: Baby Winter Care