Ragi the super food

Ragi is a finger millet, which is high in protein and minerals in comparison to all other cereals and millets. Also a source of protein, it is perfect for vegetarians.

Finger millets contains important amino acids—isoleucine, leucine, methionine and phenyl alanine which are not present in other starchy meals. It has the highest amount of calcium and potassium. Ragi is a great source of iron making it beneficial for individuals with low haemoglobin levels. It is good for the stomach and for good digestion

How And When To Give Ragi To Your Baby?

Ragi is an extremely versatile cereal. You can offer ragi to your baby in the form of ragi porridge prepared from ragi flour or ragi atta. Ragi porridge can be served along with curd, fruit juice, vegetable soup, buttermilk, etc. Just like this, you can try different kinds of accompaniments with ragi porridge.

Since Ragi is known to take a bit of time for its complete digestion, ragi for baby could be given in the morning or in the afternoon. This would help in the complete digestion of the ragi in your little one’s digestive system. Also, as ragi is known to offer a cool effect on the body, it is best to avoid ragi during winter and when your baby is suffering from cold.

Health Benefits Of Ragi:

1. Good For Bones: One of the important ragi health benefits is being excellent for the bones of the growing baby. Ragi is a non-dairy source which contains a high amount of calcium. This helps in the bone development of your baby and also mitigates the chances of bone fractures and eliminate the need for an iron supplement.

2. Excellent For Teeth: The high content of calcium in ragi nutrition, helps in the development and maintenance of teeth. It prevents osteoporosis - it is a disease that could weaken the bones and teeth. As per a nutritionist, it is best to give ragi for babies in the form of ragi porridge.

3. Helps In Digestion: The dietary fibre in the ragi could promote the digestion and also help in making your baby feel full.

4. No Obesity: The healthy amino acids in the ragi could take away excess fat and reduce cholesterol levels. Since it removes fat around the liver as well, it keeps the natural detoxifier healthy. It also keeps the obesity at the bay.

5. Prevent Anaemia: Children are bound to have anaemia if their diet doesn’t contain all the necessary nutrients. But ragi could help in preventing that. The high content of iron in ragi benefits the children by avoiding the possible anaemia.

6. Promotes Absorption Of Iron: Ragi contains a high amount of Vitamin C. It increases when Ragi is allowed to sprout. This vitamin C can promote the absorption of iron, which in turn can help in preventing and treating anaemia.

7. Avoids Malnutrition: If your baby doesn’t consume essential nutrients, he might suffer from malnutrition. Ragi health benefits include avoiding that. Since ragi nutrition is high, it would prevent the malnutrition in your baby, if included in their daily diet.

8. Treats Insomnia: Tha antioxidant-rich ragi could have its own ragi health benefits. The antioxidants relax the body and promote good sleep in babies. And also the sense of feeling full could help your baby to fall asleep soon.

9. Treats Anxiety And Headache: In this case, as well, the ragi benefits is due to the antioxidants present in it. Along with promoting good sleep in children, it also treats anxiety and headaches.

10. Reduces The Risk Of Diabetes: The fibre content and polyphenol content in the ragi could reduce the risk of diabetes. Ragi porridge or Ragi roti made from ragi atta or any ragi dishes could have a low glycemic response and as a result, the chances of diabetes reduces.

11. Controls Diabetes: If you are already suffering from diabetes, ragi would definitely control it. Since ragi has a low glycemic index, it lowers the food cravings and also keeps the blood sugar level within the safe limit.

12. Muscle Formation: Ragi nutrition contains a high amount of proteins and the ragi health benefits include the muscle formation in babies. The proteins play its role in the muscle formation and help in the growth and development of your baby.

13. Gets Digested Quickly: The low cereal fat and higher fiber content is good for baby’s health and best to be included in the baby’s diet. You baby’s tummy could be filled easily and as one of the best ragi health benefits, it could be digested without much hassle.

14. Easy To Cook: Ragi benefits the mothers in the way they always wanted it to. With so much of things going around, mothers obviously look out for the options where they could cook easily and quickly and ragi is definitely their go-to. The ragi cereal could be combined with veggies or other options of ragi dishes are ragi porridge, ragi halwa, ragi dosa, etc. And other obvious ragi benefits are your baby will love it and it is healthy too.