Almonds are power-packed foods and pack in lots of nutrients. When your baby is of the age in which he can be given solid foods, you can include almonds in his diet. However, you need to confirm your baby is not allergic to nuts. There are numerous ways to add almonds into the baby’s diet. They can be given in a powdered form; here are some benefits of almond powder.
Benefits of Almond Powder
- Almonds contain vitamin E which is essential to keep the skin soft and smooth.
- They also help in the development of the brain.
- They are very rich in calcium and help in strengthening the bones.
- Almonds are alkaline in nature and boost the immune system of the baby.
- Almonds also contain carbohydrates, fats, proteins, potassium, and dietary fiber.
Recipe for making almond powder
- Take 1 cup of almonds (you can use any variety), 3/4 cup sugar (you can also use mishri), 1 tsp green cardamom powder (this is optional, you can leave if you dislike), and a few strands of saffron (optional).
- Soak the almonds in 4 cups of boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Drain the hot water and run the almonds under tap water. Peel the skin and place for drying.
- Once the almonds are completely dry, roast them on a low flame in a heavy-bottomed pan. Take care that they do not turn black. They need to be roasted a little so that all the moisture is removed.
- Grind the roasted almonds into a fine powder. Do not churn for more than 20 minutes as the extra churning will cause the almonds to release their oil.
- Sieve the churned powder and store in an airtight container. Every time you take out the contents, use a dry spoon. It can be stored for a few months.
- You can mix this powder in your child’s milk. It can also be sprinkled over cornflakes or porridge or it can be added to mashed vegetables or fruits. You can also make cakes, puddings, and cookies adding the almond powder to them.
