Freekeh
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- medium
- Common allergen
- yes
- Iron
- high
Wheat allergen · contains gluten · high fiber
Contains allergens
Each new allergen is offered on its own and watched for two hours. Our allergen introduction guide is available in Turkish for now.
When can babies eat freekeh?
Freekeh can be offered once your baby is about 6 months old and ready for solids. It is wheat, and wheat ranks high among kids' food allergens. So start with a small amount the first time.
Freekeh is made from wheat harvested while it is still green and moist. The grains are dried and roasted over fire, which gives a light smoky taste. The inedible husk is then rubbed off. The name comes from an Arabic word meaning "to rub." It is common in the cuisines from the Middle East to Anatolia, and Turkey knows it as firik pilavi.
It is a whole grain. It supplies iron, zinc and calcium, along with folate and other B vitamins. It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health. Its fiber is very high.
High fiber
Too much fiber can upset the belly. Start with a small portion and raise it as digestion adjusts.
How do you prepare freekeh for babies?
Cracked freekeh needs roughly half the cooking time that whole freekeh needs, because the grains soak up the liquid faster.
When serving to a baby, press the grains lightly with a fork. Setting them on a soft food makes them easier to pick up by hand. Like rice, it spreads everywhere, so be ready for a cleanup after the meal.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
6 months
6 months · How to prepare as a puréemash
Cut: Fork mashed
Cook the freekeh until very soft. Crush the grains with a fork and place them on a soft, spreadable food. Mashed legumes, squash or yogurt all work. Your baby can scoop it up by hand. A suction bowl makes scooping easier. You can also fold it into meatball mix and shape soft balls that are easy to hold.
9 months
9 months · How to servemash
Keep serving lightly mashed freekeh on top of soft foods. You can fold it into easy-to-hold foods such as meatballs and fritters. Keep portions small, because it is high in fiber.
12 months
12 months · How to servecube
Serve cooked freekeh in pilaf, soup, salad or meatballs. It can stand in for rice or pasta. Cooking it in meat or mushroom broth adds flavor. For fork practice, set it on top of a soft food.
Is freekeh a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: medium
Whole grain kernels count as a choking risk under 12 months. Press the grains down gently with a fork.
The CDC lists whole grain kernels as a choking risk for babies under 12 months. Pressing the freekeh grains lightly with a fork lowers that risk.
Seat your baby safely. Stay beside them and within arm's reach during the meal.
Is freekeh a common allergen?
Freekeh is a kind of wheat, so it contains wheat and gluten, a common allergen. About two-thirds of children with wheat allergy outgrow it by age 12.
A wheat allergy and celiac disease are two different conditions. An allergy can pass. Celiac disease needs a lifelong gluten-free diet. Some people have gluten sensitivity without allergy or celiac disease.
People allergic to grass pollen may get brief mouth itching. Rarely, wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis occurs. These people should skip wheat in the hours before hard exercise.
If allergy or celiac disease runs in the family, or you suspect a wheat allergy, ask your pediatrician before serving it at home. Otherwise give a small amount for the first few meals and watch for a reaction. If all is well, raise the amount slowly.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about freekeh
Is freekeh gluten free?
No. Freekeh is wheat and contains gluten. It is not given to children with celiac disease.
Can freekeh cause gas or tummy trouble?
Its fiber is very high, so too much can upset the belly. Begin with a small portion and raise it as digestion adjusts.
Are freekeh and bulgur the same?
No. Both are wheat, but freekeh is harvested green and fire-roasted, so it tastes smoky. Bulgur is wheat that was boiled and dried.
Sources for this page
- Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.
- Abdel-Aal ES, Akhtar H, Zaheer K, Ali R. (2013). Dietary Sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Carotenoids and Their Role in Eye Health. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu5041169
- Elli L, Branchi F, Tomba C, Villalta D, Norsa L, Ferretti F, et al. (2015). Diagnosis of gluten related disorders: Celiac disease, wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. World Journal of Gastroenterology. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i23.7110
- Feldweg AM. (2017). Food-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis: Diagnosis and Management in the Outpatient Setting. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.022
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com