From the baby’s six months, milk is no longer enough to ensure the proper growth of the child. Cereals are one of the foods that should be introduced first and are essential for the preparation of children’s porridge.
However, you have to know what type of cereals you can start with and which ones should be introduced in a second stage, depending on whether they contain gluten or not. We give you the guidelines to introduce the new cereals.
gluten free cereals
1. Rice Cereal
It is the cereal that provides the most starch and in the most easily digestible form. It can be offered to the baby in the form of flour, semolina, flakes or even rice milk.
It can be offered practically from the beginning of weaning, at 4-6 months. It can be administered to celiac children.
2. Corn cereal.
Corn is very rich in hydrates, as well as containing potassium, beta-carotene, magnesium and group B vitamins.
Corn can be offered to the child practically from the beginning of weaning, at 4-6 months, in the form of flour and semolina. It can be administered to celiac children.
3. Millet cereal.
A very small grain cereal with a mild and neutral flavor, which makes it well accepted by children. It is one of the cereals that provides the most iron and magnesium. It contains group B vitamins.
Millet is a suitable cereal for the first baby food, since it does not contain gluten.
4. Sorghum cereal.
Sorghum is a cereal very similar to corn, both in appearance and in nutritional properties. It contains vitamins of type E and B, minerals, such as phosphorus, iron and calcium, and fiber.
It does not contain gluten, so it can be offered to the child at the beginning of weaning.
cereals with gluten
1. Wheat cereal.
Very protein: provides long-lasting energy. The bran is rich in indigestible fiber, which prevents constipation. It is rich in minerals and B vitamins.
Wheat can be given to the child in the form of flour porridge, flakes, semolina, crackers or bread from the age of six months.
2. Barley cereal.
It has a nutritional power and a chemical composition very similar to those of wheat, and it is very easy to digest. It is rich in vitamins of the PP, E and B group (such as folic acid).
It can be offered to the child from six months in the form of flour porridge, flakes, cereal bread, etc.
3. Spelled cereal.
The nutrients of this cereal are very easy for the body to assimilate, since it has not suffered as many variations as wheat, it generates a lower risk of allergies and is highly digestible.
Spelled contains gluten, so its consumption is recommended from six months
4. Oat cereal.
It is the most caloric and energetic cereal, so it is ideal for the cold months and for the busiest children. It provides a large amount of vitamin B and minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, and is rich in fiber.
Oatmeal is a cereal that contains gluten, so it should be introduced into the child’s diet from six months.
5. Rye cereal.
It stands out for its zinc and selenium content, antioxidant minerals, and it is rich in fiber. Rye contains B vitamins, which help absorb carbohydrates and benefit the nervous system.
Rye is a cereal that contains gluten, so it should be introduced into the child’s diet from six months.