Read through these Palm candy benefits for babies and incorporate the natural sweetener into your baby’s diet to reap all the benefits.
Palm candy is popularly renowned as palm sugar powder. The nutritious sweetener is an ingredient of the palm tree’s sap. It is ideal for six-month-old babies, and beyond. They gain access to a natural source of vitamin 12, iron, and calcium. Just sprinkle the sweet stuff on your baby’s favorite food and watch the little one devouring everything with gusto!
Nutritional Value
There are adequate carbohydrates and sugar. The ratio of carbohydrates to sugar is 15 g:15 g. The sweetener is also rich in iron, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus. Overall, your baby will benefit by 54 calories through one feeding.
Palm Candy Benefits for Babies
There are several advantages of introducing your baby to this sweetener:
1. Bone Health
Manganese and calcium are splendid for growing bones and joints. Palm candy has a rich amount of both these minerals and so your child will not be at risk for osteoporosis. Simultaneously, it will also lower the risk of sustaining fractures and keep the limbs strong and healthy.
2. Maintains Body Functioning
Besides containing several minerals, palm candy also has precious B vitamins (riboflavin, choline, thiamine, folic acid, inositol). The B vitamins keep the body’s cells healthy and functioning well.
3. Rich in Amino Acids
The tree’s sap contains all the 16 important Amino acids. They are the proteinous building blocks of the body. They help the cells to grow and repair damage and injuries.
4. Low Glycemic Index
The amount of glucose in palm candy is very less. Honey and refined sugar contain much more in comparison to palm candy. In other words, palm sugar has a glycemic index (GI) of 35. Therefore, absorption of the food is slow and gentle, and hence, there is no danger of blood-sugar levels spiking. In turn, your baby will remain lively and energetic. Honey has a GI of 55 and Sugar has a GI of 68 and both cause rapid absorption of food. This increases levels of glucose in the bloodstream.
5. Gut Health
Inulin is a special ingredient of palm candy that is a plant-based dietary fiber. Naturally, your baby’s digestive tract functions marvelously. The gut can absorb minerals well. With the presence of inulin, the bacterias in the stomach are regulated and only the good bacterias get to stay. Inulin also keeps track of glucose levels in the bloodstream.
6. Rich In Potassium
Palm candy has high-quality potassium within it. Your baby’s motor and sensory systems will be alert and active. Heartbeats will remain regular and blood pressure will be normal. With the right amount of potassium, the muscles will contract and relax harmoniously.
7. Rich in Anti-oxidant
Palm candy is rich in phytonutrients (anthocyanin, polyphenols, flavonoids). These nutrients function like anti-oxidants. As a result, cell damage is a rare occurrence. Your baby will not fall prey to chronic illnesses.
Palm Candy Powder for Babies
Admittedly, you cannot obtain the palm tree’s sap easily, and neither can you cannot go through a tedious process to prepare palm candy. Therefore, you may buy solid palm candy crystals from a genuine store. Ensure that they are light-to-dark brown.
Next, take a cup of the candies and put them into a blender. Grind the candies until they turn into a smooth powder. Now, sieve the powder and store it in an airtight jar/container. It should remain unspoiled for the next six months. However, you must always remove the contents with a dry and clean spoon because moisture can spoil the powder. You may refrigerate the container only if the weather turns humid.
How to Consume
Palm candy isn’t a regular food and so you will have to use it occasionally. For instance, you may prepare a healthy drink with milk and a teaspoon of palm candy powder and feed it to your baby. Otherwise, you may sweeten desserts and sprinkle the powder on porridge, cakes, cookies, etc. Palm candy awards a caramel flavor to each dish/drink.
But anything in excess is not good. Therefore, make sure that you use this sweetener in moderation. True, it has a reduced glycemic index. In other words, it will not enhance blood-sugar levels. Regardless, use the unrefined, chemical-free candy with care.
Palm candy has much to go for it. Therefore, without much ado, include it in your baby’s diet.
