Garlic For Babies: Health Benefits & Recipes

Garlic For Babies: Health Benefits & Recipes

Garlic- the white, strong smelling bulb which is included in many recipes worldwide for its flavour and has many health benefits should also be included in your child’s diet. Garlic is a grandmother’s favorite but many mothers have doubts whether to include garlic in a baby’s diet or not. Studies have shown that babies seem to like the flavour of garlic and its pungent smell. Garlic for babies provides a host of health benefits as well.

When can you give your baby garlic?

Garlic can be given to babies after 6 to 8 months of age. Though the quantity needs to be small as some babies might find it difficult to digest while some might develop certain allergies. If concerns like this develop you should rush to your pediatrician. But rarely garlic has any side effects if eaten.

Health benefits of garlic for babies: 

#1. Regulates infections and kills intestinal worms

Garlic has antimicrobial properties that regulates the growth of infections causing bacteria. Garlic is highly effective in killing the bacteria in the colon and small intestine. Antimicrobial properties in garlic also helps in healing wounds and cuts faster. Many a time intestinal worms such as tapeworms enter a baby’s body and settle in intestines and feed on the nutritions. This may cause infections and ailments. Giving garlic juice to babies can kill these intestinal worms.

Also read: 21 Winter Superfoods With Amazing Benefits

#2. A cure for respiratory disorders and common cold

A baby’s immune system is not fully developed and so the baby will be prone to cough, cold and the flu. Garlic soup helps in flushing the toxins out of the body. Ofcourse,  if the baby is less than 6 months you should not give them any solid food or garlic but you can most definitely heat a little mustard oil with the juice of raw garlic, cool it down and apply on baby’s chest and back to relieve them of blocked nose and congestion. Garlic has antiviral properties that can protect your babies from the harmful cold virus.

#3. Garlic helps relieve abdominal pains

Garlic is very helpful in treating stomach pains due to gastric, colic and other stomach ailments. Garlic acts as an antibiotic if eaten on an empty stomach. Babies can be given little garlic along with honey to relieve them of any stomach ailments.

#4. Garlic keeps the heart healthy

With the antioxidant properties present in garlic, it helps improve the heart and heart conditions. Even with babies, garlic can help keep the cholesterol levels at bay and reduce the risk of high blood pressure or heart conditions later in life.

Also read: 11 Popular Kids Snacks From Around The World

#5. Prevents cancer later in life

The active component in garlic is the sulfur compound called allicin. Current research has shown that a number of readily available foods such as garlic and onions that make up a healthy diet, actually have a major impact on cancer prevention. Thus garlic has the power to protect your baby in the long run from the various types of cancers.

How much garlic for babies is safe? 

A baby cannot eat garlic like an adult does. You should start with just 1 small clove of garlic a day and should keep a check on your baby for reactions or allergies. If everything seems to be fine, you may increase the number or the size of the clove.

Precautions before using garlic for babies

You should always use fresh garlic cloves and not the processed, preserved or powdered ones. The juicy and the white ones are the best. Peel off the skin and then mince or crush the garlic and use it. You should keep the crushed garlic aside for 10 minutes before using it in cooking as this allows the juices to develop completely.

Recipes of garlic for babies

#1. Egg-drop soup

Ingredients

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 4 cups of broth (any type)
  • 1 shake of pepper
  • 1 or 2 cloves of garlic

Directions

  • Bring the broth to a boil and then let simmer.
  • Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl and then SLOWLY add them to the broth.
  • Whisk the egg yolks in the broth as you are adding them to the broth. You want to have nice little “threads” of egg yolk throughout the broth.
  • Add the garlic.

Recipe courtesy: https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com

Also read: 21 Iron Rich Foods Recipes For Babies and Toddlers

2. Homemade garlic syrup

Ingredients

  • 3-4 cloves of garlic
  • Honey or maple syrup as needed

Directions

  • Peel your garlic cloves and wash them.
  • Blend both your ingredients together. Blend, shake your cup a bit, and blend again.
  • You can keep doing it until all of your garlic is mixed with the honey.

This mix can be kept for 24 hours as garlic loses its potency after that. You can give this syrup when your child is sick or even during those low immunity months.

Recipe courtesy: www.growingupherbal.com

3. Garlic Bread

Ingredients

  • Coriander
  • 50 gm Butter
  • White bread
  • Garlic (2-4 cloves, crushed)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley

Directions

  • Crush the garlic clove and put it in a bowl along with coriander and butter.
  • Mix them all together and lay it on the bread slice.
  • Toast it on a pan at high temperature for about 10 minutes until it gets brown.
  • You can also bake on a baking tray for 5 to 10 minutes

Recipe courtesy: www.netmums.com

Also read: 21 Iron Rich Foods Recipes For Babies and Toddlers

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