Banana Powder for Babies – Health Benefits & Recipes

India is a country brimming with diversity and rich traditions, not least when it comes to culinary practices. Across this vast land, the food that people eat varies dramatically, and this extends to the types of food they introduce to their infants. One particularly interesting food item that has gained popularity, especially in the southern regions, is banana powder. This unique product has captured the attention of many due to its health benefits and versatility in recipes. Intrigued? Continue reading to delve deeper into the world of raw banana powder for babies, exploring its nutritional advantages, various uses in cooking, and why it’s a favored choice for baby food in southern India.

When Can You Introduce Raw Banana Powder to Babies?

The ideal age to introduce any kind of solid food to your baby is when he is over six months of age. Therefore, this nutritious powder can be given to babies after six months, or when your baby is ready for solid foods.

Benefits of Raw Banana Powder for Babies

Are you wondering why you should give this powder to your baby? Here are some reasons!

• It helps in building immunity in babies.
• It is power-packed with potassium and other vital nutrients.
• It is easy to digest, and may not cause a cough and cold like normal bananas.
• It helps in the development of a healthy brain in babies.

How to Make Raw Banana Powder at Home for Babies?

Here’s how you can make banana powder for babies at home for your own little one:

Ingredients

• Firm, raw bananas

How to Prepare?

1. Get rid of both ends of the bananas by chopping them off.
2. Peel them, then slice them thinly.
3. Spread these slices on a sheet, and sun dry them for 2 to 3 days, or until crisp.
4. Grind the dried slices, and then sieve the powder to get rid of any coarse pieces.

Note

• Ensure that you make fresh food every time.
• Sterilise your baby’s utensils before serving food in them.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Making Raw Banana Powder

You should keep the following things in mind before making banana powder:

• It is important that you choose unripe or raw bananas.
• You must clean the bananas properly.
• Make sure you slice the bananas properly.
• It is important to place the slices correctly on the sheet, so that they can dry well.
• You must sieve the powder to get rid of any banana seeds. This is because banana seeds can be difficult for a baby to digest.
• You should store the powder in an airtight jar.
• You should make the powder in small batches, so that you use it fresh.
• This powder may not cause constipation in babies.

Raw Banana Powder Recipes for Infants

Here are some easy-to-make nutritious banana powder recipes for infants:

1. Banana Powder Porridge

This delectable recipe may be an ideal first food for your little munchkin. If you are wondering how to make banana powder for babies, look no further!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of raw banana powder
• 1 cup water/milk
• Sugar (only for babies older than one year) 

How To Prepare

1. Take a pan, put in the powder and water together, and mix well.
2. Turn on the heat, and cook the mixture for 10 minutes.
3. Add sugar, and serve lukewarm.

2. Banana Powder Halwa

This is a sweet recipe for your baby.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon raw banana powder
• ½ tablespoon clarified butter or ghee
• ½ cup organic jaggery syrup (only for babies older than one year)

How To Prepare

1. Cook banana powder in the jaggery syrup while mixing it constantly.
2. As the mixture thickens, you may remove it from the heat.
3. Serve warm!
4. Alternatively, you may cook the mixture for some more time, and then spread it on a plate. Once it cools down, you may cut it into pieces. It can be given to toddlers and older kids.

3. Banana Powder Khichdi

You may add some banana powder to the usual khichdi to give it a softer and more gooey texture.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon raw banana powder
• ½ cup moong dal
• ½ cup rice
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste (only for babies older than one year)

How To Prepare

1. Mix banana powder in the water, and keep aside.
2. Wash the rice and dal well, and put them in the pressure cooker.
3. Add in the banana powder-water mixture, and salt.
4. Cook on medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes.
5. Serve warm!

Make sure that you do not serve jaggery, sugar-salt, and honey to infants who are younger than one year, as these ingredients can be harmful to them. If your baby is older than one year of age, then it is safe to give them these condiments.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding banana powder for babies:

1. How do I know if the banana porridge is well cooked or not?

It is easy to establish whether or not the porridge is cooked. Once the porridge gets cooked, it will leave the sides of the pan.

2. What else can I make using raw banana?

Raw banana powder for infants is very versatile, and can be used in making various kinds of delicious recipes for your baby. You can make halwa, milkshake, and other such recipes using raw banana powder.

3. Why is raw banana more beneficial for babies than normal yellow bananas?

Raw banana is considered better than normal yellow bananas because it may not cause any a cough and cold in babies, even when consumed during the winter months.

4. How should banana powder be stored to maintain its freshness?

To preserve the freshness and nutritional quality of banana powder, it should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keeping the powder in an airtight container is crucial to prevent moisture from affecting its texture and flavor. It’s also advisable to check the expiration date and follow the storage instructions provided on the packaging to ensure that the banana powder remains safe and effective for baby food preparation.

Raw kerala banana powder for babies is very beneficial for your baby’s health, and you may safely add this powder into your baby’s diet after he is ready for solid foods. However, every baby is different, and it is important that you consult a paediatrician or nutritionist before introducing any solid food. Also, start with smaller quantities, and once your baby shows no signs of allergies, you may slowly begin increasing the quantity of what you serve.

References/Resources:

1. Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana; Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry; https://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf

2. Bananas; Harvard T.H. Chan; https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/bananas/

3. Bananas, raw; Food Data Central; U.S. Department of Agriculture; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173944/nutrients

4. Sub tropical banana nutrition – matching nutrition requirements to growth demands; NSW Government; https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/tropical/growing-bananas/sub-tropical-banana-nutrition

5. Help Your Digestive System with These 5 Foods; UPMC; https://share.upmc.com/2014/09/help-digestive-system-5-foods/; September 2014

6. Ellis. E; Do’s and Don’ts for Baby’s First Foods; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; https://www.eatright.org/health/pregnancy/babys-first-foods/dos-and-donts-for-babys-first-foods; December 2019

7. Banana Allergy; Anaphylaxis UK; https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/fact-sheet/banana/

Also read:

Oranges for Babies
Mango for Infants
Chikoo (Sapota) for Babies
Is Banana Good for Babies or Not?

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.