Makhana, also known as Phool Makhana serves as a superfood for the growing body of your baby. Also known as Fox Nuts or Lotus Seeds, these power-packed seeds have been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine and Asian cuisines. Packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and many other minerals, it is the perfect weaning food for your little one. It can also be given to your preschooler as a nutritious snack option. Makhana for infants serves as a superfood and it can be easily given to your baby after 6 months of age.

Makhana Nutrition for Infants

Every 100 grams serving of popped lotus seeds contains:

• Carbohydrates = 76 grams
• Protein              = 9.6 grams
• Fat                      = 0.1 grams
• Calcium             = 52 mg
• Iron                    = 1.1 mg
• Magnesium      = 67 mg
• Potassium         = 439 mg

Makhana Benefits for Infants

• Healthy Brain – Foxnuts for infants are a good source of thiamine, which helps in the development of cognitive function. It also aids in the formation of acetylcholine, which is essential for neurotransmission.
• Prevents Constipation – Makhana is a good source of dietary fiber. There are 7.6 grams of dietary fiber in every 100-gram serving of popped lotus seeds. This fiber helps keep your baby’s gut healthy and also prevents the problem of constipation.
• Gluten-Free – Makhana is an ideal food for babies who are intolerant to gluten, a type of protein found in wheat and wheat products. It is completely gluten-free and can be combined with milk to make a gluten-free porridge. Nutritional profile of makhana.
• Better sleep – Makhana works wonders in terms of sleep betterment in babies as it is a rich source of terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. These help in inducing sleep in babies.
• Energy booster – Makhana is a good source of calcium, iron etc nutrients which help in boosting energy levels in infants. These are known to prevent hidden hunger, which is often experienced due to the deficiency of vital nutrients.

Makhana Introduction Age For Babies

You may introduce makhana for babies as soon as they reach six months of age. Start with just a teaspoon of any soft, cooked makhana-based recipe. Then, wait for three to four days and observe for any makhana allergy in baby. If no adverse effects are seen, you can gradually increase the quantity of makhana. 

Makhana Recipes For Infants

1. Makhana And Nuts Pre-Mix

This ready-to-serve cereal mix can be stored for over a month in an airtight container and used as a premix for making any sweet or savory makhana dish for your baby. It’s an easy-to-make option for when you’re in a hurry.

Ingredients:

• Makhana = 50 grams
• Cashew = 5 pieces
• Almonds – 5 pieces
• Clarified butter = 1 tbsp

Servings

½ cup mixture, stored in an airtight container. This has a shelf life of up to a month.

How To Make

• Cut the popped lotus seeds (makhana) in half and check for any warm or rotten parts.
• In an iron pan, heat one tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter).
• Add the chopped makhana to the pan and stir continuously until they turn golden brown.
• Take them out on a plate and keep them aside.
• Add cashews and almonds to the pan with the remaining ghee.
• If all the ghee has been used up for roasting the makhana, add 1/4 tablespoon of ghee to the pan.
• Stirring in between will turn the seeds golden brown evenly.
• Remove them onto a separate plate.
• Place both the makhana and roasted nuts in a grinder and grind them into a fine powder.
• Store the mixture in an airtight jar.

2. Makhana Porridge

Makhana porridge for babies is a ready-to-serve cereal mix that you can mix with warm milk or water and serve to your infant. It is an easy-to-make option in case you are in a hurry.

Ingredients:

• Makhana = 50 grams
• Cashew = 5 pieces
• Almonds – 5 pieces
• Clarified butter = 1 tbsp
• Milk/water = 1 cup

Servings

½ cup mixture, stored in an airtight container. This has a shelf life of up to a month.

How To Make

• Take out your makhana and nuts pre-mix, prepared in the last recipe.
• To make porridge, heat milk/water in a pan and add one teaspoon of the makhana and nuts pre-mix.
• Start adding in the pre-mix in small batches. 
• Stirring continuously, avoids the formation of any lumps.
• Serve it warm to your baby.

3. Makhana Kheer

This can be made easily within ten to fifteen minutes. Being a sweet dish, it can be served at any time of the day.

Ingredients

• Makhana – 50 grams
• Milk – 2 glass
• Cardamom – 2 pieces
• Jaggery powder – 2 tbsp

Servings = 2 cups

How To Make

• In an iron pan, take ½ tbsp ghee.
• Roast the makhanas in this ghee, continuously stirring them until they turn golden brown.
• Take them on a plate and keep them aside.
• In the same pan, put the milk.
• Add two crushed cardamoms to it.
• Once the milk comes to a boil, add the roasted makhanas in it.
• These can be added as a whole or can be ground up in a coarse mixture.
• Let the makhanas in the milk simmer at low medium flame until they get well mixed up with the milk. Now turn off the flame and then add the jaggery powder.
• Stir it well and serve warm to your baby.

Safety Considerations

• Start by feeding your baby only one teaspoon of any makhana recipe for the first time, then wait at least three days to watch for any allergic reactions. Gradually increase the quantity if no reactions occur.
• Feeding too much makhana is not advisable. There should be a one-day pause after giving any makhana recipe. Excessive feeding may cause constipation.
• Bloating may occur if babies are fed makhanas in excess. Encourage parents to incorporate makhana into their baby’s diet.

Conclusion

Incorporating makhana into your baby’s diet is a wonderful way to provide essential nutrients, helping them grow strong, healthy, and happy. These simple, nutritious recipes offer versatile options for introducing makhana safely, from porridge to kheer. Remember to start slow, watch for any reactions, and use these recipes as part of a balanced diet for your little one. Makhana not only supports their developing brains, digestive systems, and overall health but also offers a comforting, tasty way to expand their diet. Enjoy creating these wholesome snacks and meals—your little one is sure to love them!