Can Babies Eat Rice?

Rice is a seed and the most widely consumed cereal grain worldwide. It is a staple food in Asia and Africa, both places in which rice was domesticated 3000 years ago. There are 3 main types of rice: long-, medium- and short-grained.

Rice is usually rinsed before cooking in order to get rid of the excess starch, but it is soaked before cooking, to reduce the needed cooking time.

The nutritional value of rice depends on the soil it is grown in, the way in which it is enriched, how it is polished or processed and how it is prepared before consumption, and of course it depends on the variety of rice: white, brown, red or black. Rice is rich in carbs, but it contains moderate amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins B, iron and manganese.

What Kind Of Rice Should I Give My Baby?

Babies can eat rice starting at the age of 6 months old, once they can eat solid food. Rice is known to be allergen free. The best rice for babies is the brown one. It is easier to give rice cereal to babies, especially the brown rice cereal. It is very important to cook the rice well, because uncooked rice can lead to food poisoning. Rice cakes can be given to babies from the age of 10 months old, and only under the supervision of a parent, because they can be a choking hazard.

Cheesy Vegetable & Brown Rice Pot

Ingredients: 1 chopped into small chunks medium carrot, 1 chopped into small chunks medium parsnip, 2 tsp of mixed herbs, ½ cup of dried brown rice, 1 cup of grated Cheddar cheese, olive oil for cooking.

Sautee the carrots and parsnips in a little olive oil in a small saucepan until they start to soften. Add the herbs mix and the brown rice, and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Add 350ml of water and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 40 minutes, until the rice is well cooked. Stir in the Cheddar cheese, until melted.