Turmeric
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- low
Spice · a pinch or two is enough
When can babies eat turmeric?
Turmeric can start once your baby is ready for solids, at about 6 months. It belongs to the ginger family and comes from the tropics of Southeast Asia. People grow it for its underground stem. Most turmeric today comes from India, where it serves as a dye, a medicine and a spice.
Its golden color and earthy taste go into dishes such as biryani, masala and dosa, as well as sweets like laddu and rasgulla.
Turmeric is eaten in small amounts, so its value comes from tiny amounts of micronutrients and plant compounds. It contains iron, manganese, fiber and trace minerals. Curcumin, its best-known compound, is thought to ease inflammation and act as an antioxidant.
Choosing a brand
Ground turmeric is sometimes contaminated with lead or other heavy metals. Prefer brands that say they test for heavy metals. You can usually find this on the package or the brand's website.
How do you prepare turmeric for babies?
A pinch at a time
A pinch or two is plenty. You can grate fresh root or use the powder. Black pepper helps the body absorb curcumin, and cooking with butter or oil helps too.
Fresh turmeric keeps about 5 days at room temperature, up to 3 weeks in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. When shopping, pick roots that feel firm with taut skin.
Tea and golden milk
Save regular turmeric tea for after 12 months. A small taste before that is fine. In the first year, breast milk or formula is the main drink. Golden milk (haldi doodh) is a traditional Indian drink made with cow's milk. After 12 months you can serve it, with the spices adjusted to your child's comfort.
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 stir into soft foodsmash
Season vegetables with a pinch or two of ground or grated turmeric. You can also stir it into soft, spoonable foods such as rice porridge, stewed lentils or yogurt. A garlicky turmeric paste works for seasoning meat or fish. Adding black pepper and cooking it in fat helps the body make better use of turmeric.
6 months · How to prepare easy-to-grab piecescube
Work turmeric into big, soft balls of rice, bean patties or meatballs that sit easily in your baby's fist. The pieces should be softer than a fingertip squeeze and bigger than your baby's mouth.
12 months
12 months · How to use in baked goods and drinksslice
Keep seasoning meals with fresh or ground turmeric. At this age you can also add it to pancakes, muffins and bread. Warm, not hot, turmeric tea and golden milk are fine too, and they are good practice for drinking from an open cup.
Is turmeric a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Low risk when grated or powdered. Do not give raw chunks of the root.
Grated or ground turmeric is low risk. Do not give babies or toddlers uncooked chunks of the root. Stay close during meals.
Is turmeric a common allergen?
Turmeric is not a common allergen. Contact rashes from handling it have been reported. People with very sensitive skin or a history of contact rashes may want gloves while preparing it. If a rash appears, wash the area with soap and water.
First try
As with any new food, start small for the first few servings. If nothing happens, raise the amount gradually.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about turmeric
When can babies have turmeric?
From about 6 months, when your baby eats solids, a pinch or two can go into meals.
Can I give turmeric supplements to a sick baby?
Data on whether turmeric supplements are safe for babies is insufficient. Ask your pediatrician first. Using a small amount in food is the safer route.
Can babies drink turmeric tea?
Wait until after 12 months to serve it regularly. An occasional taste before that is fine. In the first year the main drinks are breast milk or formula.
When can toddlers have golden milk?
Before 12 months, only an occasional sip. From 12 months cow's milk works as a drink, and one way to serve it is golden milk. Adjust the spices to your child's taste.
Sources for this page
- Hewlings S, Kalman D. (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. doi:10.3390/foods6100092
- Aggarwal BB, Harikumar KB. (2009). Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010
- Kunnumakkara AB, Bordoloi D, Padmavathi G, Monisha J, Roy NK, Prasad S, et al. (2017). Curcumin, the golden nutraceutical: multitargeting for multiple chronic diseases. British Journal of Pharmacology. doi:10.1111/bph.13621
- Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas P. (1998). Influence of Piperine on the Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin in Animals and Human Volunteers. Planta Medica. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957450
- Gleason K, Shine JP, Shobnam N, Rokoff LB, Suchanda HS, Ibne Hasan MOS, et al. (2014). Contaminated Turmeric Is a Potential Source of Lead Exposure for Children in Rural Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. doi:10.1155/2014/730636
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