Arrowroot, scientifically known as Maranta arundinacea, is a tuberous product extracted from several tropical plants. Owing to its amazing nutritional and therapeutic benefits, most parents wish to add arrowroot for babies in powdered or mashed forms when they begin feeding solids. The starch obtained from the roots of arrowroot is often used in powdered form and is known as arrowroot flour. This flour is utilized to prepare commercial powder blends, including baby care products. It is also used as a thickening agent in baby foods. So, wondering if arrowroot is safe for your baby? Read this post to explore the potential health benefits and age-appropriate ways to feed arrowroot for infants. Also included in this post are some interesting arrowroot recipes for babies.
Is Arrowroot Good For Babies?
The flour contains starch and protein. Besides, it is a good source of essential nutrients, like phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc (1). It is also easy to digest and is gluten-free (2). You can use it as a thickening agent in pureed food. However, just like any other food item, consult a pediatrician before introducing it to the baby.
What Is The Right Age To Introduce Arrowroot To Babies?
Arrowroot can be given to babies as soon as they start solids, which is around the age of six months. You could consider introducing it in the form of arrowroot flour cookies as a snack (3).
Nutritional Value of Arrowroot Flour
One cup of arrowroot flour provides a variety of nutritional compounds that could help meet some of the daily nutritional needs of the baby (4) (5). Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture and World Health Organization The nutritional composition of the arrowroot is promising. Its use, along with breast milk, could help in supporting some of the nutritional needs of the babies.
Possible Health Benefits Of Arrowroot For Babies
The unique nutritional value of arrowroot starch provides some benefits for babies. A few of them are:
Ways To Include Arrowroot In Your Baby’s Diet
There are several ways in which you can add arrowroot powder or flour to your infant’s diet. Note: Arrowroot allergy is rare but possible. Thus, use it with caution. When arrowroot powder is not available, other substitutes such as corn starch, rice starch, tapioca starch (from cassava flour) can be used.
Arrowroot Recipes For Babies
Arrowroot is soothing to your baby’s digestive system and is gluten-free. Below are some arrowroot powder recipes that you may like to try.
1. Arrowroot porridge
Arrowroot porridge is a nourishing food that can be given to babies once they are about six months of age. You will need:
1 tbsp arrowroot powder ½ cup powdered jaggery 2 cups water
How to:
2. Arrowroot biscuits
Arrowroot biscuits are most widely used for teething in babies. Their use as a snack and finger food is also prevalent. This is a basic arrowroot biscuit recipe, and you can customize the recipe as per your needs. You will need:
¼ cup butter ½ cup brown sugar 1 whole egg ½tsp vanilla paste 1 cup gluten-free flour ½ cup arrowroot flour ½tsp baking powder ¼tsp salt
How to:
