Almond (Badam) Powder for Babies and Toddlers – Benefits and Recipe

Almonds (badam) are packed with vital nutrients, and if your baby has reached a stage where he relishes solid foods, then you may consider including almonds in your baby’s diet. However, many parents wonder how they can add this wondrous food to their baby’s diet. Well, one of the ways of adding this nut into your baby’s diet is in a powdered form. Have you heard of giving almond powder to babies and toddlers? If you need more information about almond powder for babies, we suggest that you take a quick look at the following article. Here, we will also talk about various benefits of feeding almonds to babies, recipes and more.

Benefits of Almond (Badam) Powder for Babies and Toddlers

Considered a superfood, almonds may prove to be very beneficial for babies and toddlers. Here are some of them:

• Almonds are loaded with Vitamin E and may help in making your baby’s skin soft and supple.
• Almonds are alkaline and thus very effective in strengthening your baby’s immune system.
• Almonds are beneficial in better brain development in babies and toddlers.
• Almonds help in strengthening your baby’s bone as they are a rich source of calcium.
• Almonds have a high fibre content, which aids digestion.
• Almonds have anti-oxidant properties and contain essential fatty acids, which help prevent or combat diseases.

Now, you can easily purchase some almond powder in the market, but making it at home is highly recommended it assures nutrition without adulteration or additional sugar. Let’s take a look at its nutritional value.

Nutritional Facts of Homemade Badam Powder

Almonds contain many vitamins and minerals which may prove to be effective for the growth and development of babies and toddlers. Here are the approximate nutritive values present in 100 grams of almonds:

Table Source: Nutritionvalue.org

Clearly, almonds are healthy and highly recommended to babies. So, when is the right time to start feeding you baby some almond powder? Read on to know more.

When to Introduce Almond Powder to Infants?

Solid food should be started anytime after the age of six months. However, you should wait for a little while to add almonds to a baby’s diet. Ideally, you may begin giving almond powder to your baby anytime after nine months of age. Start with a small quantity; about a spoonful mixed into other foods.

Also, you should wait for a few days to see how well your baby responds to it. Many babies have nut allergies. If your baby has an allergic reaction, you must stop feeding him almonds in any form. If you do not notice any kind of allergic reaction, you may slowly increase the dosage to three spoons a day or as your baby likes.

If you’ve been wondering how you could make almond powder, you will find the recipe given below pretty useful.

How to Make Almond Powder for Babies and Toddlers?

Here is an easy-to-make almond powder recipe for all you doted mommies.

Ingredients:

• Almonds (any variety) – 1 cup
• Green cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon (optional)
• Few strands of Saffron (optional)
• Water – 3 to 4 cups

For toddler and older babies, you may add 3/4th cup sugar to sweeten the powder. Remember, sugar is not recommended for babies under a year old.

Method:

1. Boil 3 to 4 cups of water.
2. Turn off the heat and soak the almonds for 5 minutes.
3. Then, drain the hot water and take the almonds in a sieve and hold it under running tap water.
4. Remove the skin from each almond and place them on a clean cloth for drying.
5. Once the almonds are dry, roast them in a heavy-bottomed pan on a low flame.
6. Make sure the almonds don’t turn brown; just roast them enough to get rid of the moisture.
7. Once roasted, set the almonds aside and let them cool.
8. Once they cool down, grind the roasted almonds till you get a fine powder.
9. Make sure you do not churn the contents for more than 20 to 30 seconds as the almonds may release oil and make the powder turn lumpy. You may add the cardamom powder, saffron strands, and sugar (for kids over a year old) at this point and give it one last churn to grind and mix it properly.
10. Then, sieve the powder and store it in an airtight container.

Your homemade almond powder is ready! Remember to use a dry spoon to scoop out the contents every time you require the powder. This homemade badam milk powder for babies can be stored for a few months.

Many parents wonder why almonds are supposed to be peeled. Let’s address that question here before we head on to know how to include almond powder into your baby’s diet.

Why Is It Good to Peel the Almond Skin for Making the Powder?

Peeling the almond skin can be a tedious affair, but we recommend that you discard the skin before making the powder. This is because the almond skin may lead to toxicity in babies and toddlers, and it may also be difficult for them to digest it. Peeling the almond skin makes it safer for babies to eat and digest almonds.

How to Include Badam Powder In Your Child’s Diet?

Badam or almond powder is a versatile food option that can be used in many ways in your child’s diet. Here are some ways you can give this powder to your kid:

• Almond powder can be mixed into your child’s cereal, cornflakes or porridge to add that extra power punch to the morning meals and also to add the nutty flavour.
• You may simply mix a spoonful of almond powder in your kid’s milk. The powder can be added to both hot and cold milk to enhance the flavour and also to increase its nutritive value.
• You may mix the powder to your baby’s mashed or pureed vegetables or pureed fruits.
• You may also add the almond powder to make yummy ladoos, cakes, cookies or puddings for your kiddo.

Here are some recipes you can add to your baby’s diet.

Recipes

1. Almond Halwa

Ingredients:

• Almond powder – 2 cups
• Cow’s Milk – 1 to 2 cups
• Ghee – 1 tablespoon
• Saffron powder – ½ teaspoon (optional)

Method:

1. Heat the ghee in the pan.
2. Add a cup of milk and bring it to a boil as you stir continuously.
3. Once the milk boiled, reduce the heat and add the almond powder. Stir or whisk immediately to avoid lump formation.
4. Add the saffron powder and mix it properly.
5. Add some more milk if needed.
6. Let it cook properly till you get a soft textured halwa.

2. Almond Milk

Ingredients:

• Milk – 1 cup
• Almond Powder – 1 teaspoon

Method:

1. Boil the milk in a pan.
2. Add the almond powder and give it a good mix.
3. Let the milk come down to room temperature before feeding it to your baby.

3. Almond Oats Cereal

Ingredients:

• Rolled Oats – 1/4th cup, ground
• Water – 1 cup
• Cow’s milk – 1/2 cup (optional)
• Almond Powder – 1 teaspoon

Method:

1. Boil the water and add the ground oats to it.
2. Cook the oats on low heat for about 8 to 11 minutes.
3. Once the oats are cooked, you may add the milk and the almond powder. Give it a good mix.
4. Let it simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the oats do not stick to the bottom of the pan.

Almond powder is a great food option for babies and toddlers. However, if your baby is allergic to nuts, you will need to exercise caution. Consulting a paediatrician is highly recommended to get proper guidance before giving almonds to your baby.

References/Resources:

1. Almond milk, unsweetened, plain, shelf stable; U.S. Department of Agriculture; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1999631/nutrients; October 2021

2. Mc Carthy. C; The crucial brain foods all children need; Harvard Health Publishing; https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-food-children-nutrition-2018012313168; January 2018

3. Foods to avoid giving babies and young children; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/foods-to-avoid-giving-babies-and-young-children/; August 2022

4. Win. N, Khaing. S, Htay. Y, San. N; Phytochemical, Nutritional and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Seeds of Almond (Terminalia catappa L.); International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications; https://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0719/ijsrp-p91120.pdf; July 2019

5. Food allergies in babies and young children; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/food-allergies-in-babies-and-young-children/; November 2021

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Protein for Babies & Toddlers
Introducing Walnuts to Babies
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