Useful properties of rolled oatmeal decoction
A decoction of Hercules cereal helps normalize metabolism. The drink improves liver and kidney function. A healthy decoction activates the child’s mental activity, gently coats the gastric mucosa, and helps remove harmful substances from the body. The decoction reduces blood glucose levels, so it is recommended to be given to children with diabetes.
It is worth paying close attention to the rolled oatmeal decoction, the beneficial properties of the product:
- Amino acid methionine. It accelerates the healing process of damaged tissues and helps remove toxins from the body.
- Biotin. This B vitamin improves skin condition and prevents the appearance of dermatitis.
- Iron. It has a positive effect on the child's hematopoietic system.
- Silicon. This substance helps regulate metabolism.
- alimentary fiber. They reduce cholesterol levels in the body. In addition, dietary fiber improves the condition of the hematopoietic system.
- Antioxidants of natural origin. These substances increase the body's resistance to various diseases. They protect the child from the negative influence of environmental factors.
- Magnesium - improves the functioning of the nervous system.
- Calcium and phosphorus. Increases the strength of bone tissue and strengthens tooth enamel.
Hercules decoction for babies contains protein and fiber. The drink helps strengthen the muscle tissue of young children.
Hercules decoction: benefits and harms
The beneficial qualities of hercules decoction have been known for a long time and a lot has been written about it. It's hard to disagree with this. However, in addition to its positive qualities, Hercules decoction also has many contraindications for use.
Oatmeal is the best product, by switching to which you can eat healthy and protect yourself from problems with the digestive system. The high fiber content in this product ensures high-quality establishment of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the body is cleansed of toxins and harmful elements. In addition, Hercules decoction is rich in vitamins of various groups, and is also a high-quality supplier of minerals, among which are iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The use of such a decoction lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood, and also strengthens the vascular walls and reduces the risk of blood clots.
What are the benefits of hercules decoction for babies?
Before giving such a decoction to an infant, you should consult a pediatrician. Despite the absence of visible contraindications for use, it is recommended to carefully study the product itself.
If the child’s weight gain is insufficient, the decoction is very useful. Due to the good digestibility of the decoction, it is recommended for use for frequent constipation. However, to avoid diarrhea, it is recommended to limit the use of the decoction.
Hercules decoction is also useful for a child because it perfectly saturates the child’s body. It is recommended to take it in case of shortage of mother's milk.
Hercules decoction: contraindications
Despite the undeniable benefits of using hercules decoction in food, it also has contraindications. It is not recommended to take it too often, as this may cause health problems. When drinking the decoction every day in the morning, a gradual development of osteoporosis, as well as bone deformation, is possible. The oats included in the decoction can cause a disruption in the process of absorption of vitamin D by the body, in addition, calcium is washed out. The result is a lack of such elements in the body.
A contraindication to the use of oatmeal decoction is individual intolerance to gluten protein. It saturates the broth with a large amount of useful substances and vitamins. But if the body is intolerant to it, the use of hercules decoction is contraindicated. The result may be the onset of problems with the digestive system and disruption of energy exchange processes. In some cases, the result may be cow protein intolerance.
Rules for preparing the decoction
Parents also need to know how to prepare oatmeal decoction for babies and at what age it can be given to the baby. Pediatricians recommend introducing this dish into complementary feeding for children over two months of age. But before using a decoction of rolled oats, you need to consult a doctor. It is worth carefully monitoring your baby’s reaction to a new dish.
The opinions of doctors on the question of when a child can be given oatmeal decoction differ slightly. Many experts are of the opinion that rolled oatmeal decoction should be introduced into the menu of young children later: starting from 9 months. Cereals contain gluten. This protein is poorly absorbed by the body, but can cause destruction of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs. This is why many nutritionists believe that gluten-free cereals should be introduced into your baby’s diet first. These include buckwheat, rice, millet, and corn. And oatmeal should be given from nine months.
You should adhere to the basic rules of how to give oatmeal decoction to a child. It can be made a regular dish in your baby’s daily menu. But first, the child is given a small amount of the drink (no more than 5 ml), and only after a few days is it allowed to replace one feeding with the decoction.
Premature babies often have poor appetite and slowly gain weight. In some cases, doctors allow special infant formulas to be diluted with a decoction made from rolled oats. The product perfectly satisfies hunger and improves intestinal function.
Oatmeal is an excellent laxative as the product contains a large amount of fiber. But the recommended dosage must be carefully followed. Otherwise, the child may experience diarrhea, which often leads to dehydration.
You should not ignore how to cook oatmeal decoction for babies. Children over two months old need to prepare a decoction of rolled oats in water. Milk-based foods should be included in an infant’s diet later (at about 9-11 months). If your baby is allergic to cow's milk, it should be replaced with goat's milk. Before preparing the decoction for children over two months old, you need to grind the oatmeal using a coffee grinder or meat grinder.
Important! A decoction prepared from oatmeal should be given to the child once a day, twice a week. The maximum serving size should be checked with your doctor. Usually children are given from 50 to 100 ml per feeding. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the baby.
When to offer complementary foods
In order for a drink made from oats to bring only benefits to a child, adults need to know at what age they can give it. The first complementary feeding should begin no earlier than 2 months.
The safest period for starting complementary feeding with decoction is when the child is 5-6 months old..
If there is a need to give oatmeal broth for up to 5 months, you should first consult with your pediatrician. It is imperative to monitor the body’s reaction to the first complementary foods.
You should start with one teaspoon. If allergies do not occur, then the portion is increased. Gradually, you can completely replace one of the feedings with a decoction.
Simple recipes for preparing a decoction of rolled oats
There are quite a few recipes for preparing a healthy decoction. The recipe for brewing rolled oats with boiling water is not complicated.
Compound
- 20 g oatmeal;
- 0.2 liters of (non-carbonated) mineral water.
Preparation
- Brew two tablespoons of rolled oats with 200 ml of boiling water, stirring constantly.
- Infuse the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Then the decoction of rolled oats must be filtered.
This drink is great for young children with an allergic reaction to cow's milk. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add a small amount of sugar and salt to the broth. The broth will cook faster if you grind the oatmeal in a grinder in advance.
A hercules decoction for babies is also prepared using cow's milk; the recipe for the product is quite simple.
Compound
- 10 g oatmeal;
- 0.2 l of water;
- 50 ml cow's milk.
Preparation
- Oatmeal is added to 200 ml of water.
- The mixture must be cooked for 20 minutes over low heat.
- Milk is added to the broth.
- The resulting mixture should be boiled over low heat for five minutes.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Strain the product through a container with small holes.
This decoction can replace one feeding of a child. Cow's milk must first be boiled.
When to use oatmeal
Oatmeal decoction has been used since ancient times to feed young children. Currently, Hercules decoction for infants is also used in some cases:
- For constipation in a baby. As you know, oatmeal is rich in fiber, which improves intestinal motility. Oatmeal decoction really helps in the fight against constipation in infants. The main thing is not to abuse it.
- If a child is underweight. Oatmeal broth has high energy value. That is why many pediatricians recommend giving oatmeal decoction to children with poor weight gain.
- As a supplement to mother's milk, especially in times of deficiency. Oatmeal is a very nutritious product. It allows the body to feel full and not feel hungry for a long time.
When feeding a baby after 7 months, the mixture can be diluted with oatmeal decoction.
Cooking with goat milk
Hercules decoction based on goat milk:
Compound
- 10 g rolled oats;
- 50 ml goat milk;
- 100 ml water.
Preparation
- Dilute goat milk with water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- You need to add 10 g of oatmeal to the broth.
- Cook the mixture for at least 20 minutes.
- The finished broth is cooled and filtered.
Goat milk contains a large amount of vitamins. It helps improve immunity and improves sleep. Therefore, a healthy decoction prepared with goat's milk should be given to the baby in the evening.
A recipe for brewing rolled oats overnight helps save mom time in the morning. Pour oatmeal into a thermos, add hot milk or boiling water in a 1:1 ratio. In the morning, a healthy porridge with a pleasant and delicate taste will be ready. You can add some dried fruits to the finished dish.
Cook it yourself or buy ready-made porridge?
Today there is an urgent issue about harmful additives that can be found in various products. Cereals are no exception. That is why parents often find themselves faced with a choice: buy special baby food for their baby or prepare meals themselves. Doctors cannot come to a consensus and say that one or another option is definitely correct. Therefore, each mother decides for herself how to organize the baby’s nutrition.
Delicious recipe! Banana muffins with vegetable oil
On store shelves you can see a huge number of cereals from different manufacturers, which are intended for children in their first year of life. They have their advantages:
- composition (industrially produced baby food is enriched with vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the baby’s body, as well as probiotics and prebiotics that help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract);
- ease of preparation (does not require cooking, just dilute with water or milk);
- liquid consistency (just what babies who cannot chew need);
- quality control.
Photo gallery: oatmeal for first feeding from different baby food manufacturers
Despite the huge selection of baby food, many parents prefer to prepare porridge for babies themselves. The child’s digestive system cannot yet accept food in pieces, so the oatmeal must be chopped before or after cooking. Porridge made independently also has certain advantages:
- parents can be sure that the dish does not contain any impurities or harmful substances;
- Whole grains contain more vitamins and minerals than processed baby foods;
- You can choose different types of oatmeal or flakes.
There are porridges with added fruit and oat flakes of different sizes on sale: large, medium and small. Small ones (for example, “Clear Sun”) are more suitable for feeding a baby.
Table: types of oatmeal
Type of oatmeal | Treatment | Characteristic | Calorie content in uncooked form per 100 g | Is it suitable for breastfeeding? |
Uncrushed | oat grains from which the hull has been removed | contains a lot of gluten and little starch | 303 kcal | This type of cereal contains the most nutrients and vitamins, however, it needs to be cooked for about two hours, which is not very convenient. More often used for preparing dishes for older children. |
Flattened | grains that have undergone mechanical processing twice | high in vitamins and minerals, but less fiber compared to whole oats | 340 kcal | Cooking takes 40 minutes, and the vitamin content does not decrease during heat treatment. Suitable for babies. |
Cereals "Hercules" | thick flakes of refined grains | contains a lot of fiber, suitable for children who have digestive problems | 352 kcal | They do not contain as many useful substances as cereals, but they are prepared in no more than 20 minutes. Can be given to infants. |
Cereals "Extra" | prepared from whole and crushed cereals | there are three types:
| 386 kcal | Only small flakes are suitable for babies. After 15 minutes of cooking, the oatmeal will be ready, and the dish will turn out tender and airy. Suitable for babies. |
Oatmeal | flour from grains that have previously been steamed, dried, fried, cleaned and ground | retains a large amount of B vitamins, amino acids, iron | 369 kcal | Oatmeal cooks quickly: you need to pour boiling water over it and wait 2-3 minutes. Useful for children who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases. |
Which porridge will bring more benefits to a child under one year old?
Pediatricians recommend giving preference to instant oat products. Finely ground Hercules and Extra flakes are best. However, Hercules contains more vitamins and microelements.
How to choose the right cereal
When buying cereal, you must adhere to the basic rules:
- a quality product has a yellowish-cream color and a slight oatmeal smell;
- the packaging must be sealed with the correct expiration date;
- High-quality porridge does not contain food additives.
After purchasing, oatmeal should be stored in a cool and dry place at a temperature of about 10 degrees (it loses nutrients in heat). It is best to pour the cereal into a container, close it tightly and put it in the refrigerator.
For babies who do not yet know how to chew solid food, finely ground flakes are more suitable
Contraindications to the use of the drink
A decoction of rolled oatmeal for newborns should not be given to a child with a gluten allergy. It is a protein that is present in many grains. If your baby has an individual sensitivity to gluten, you should avoid certain foods that contain oatmeal or cereal. When consuming foods with this protein, the baby’s digestive system may worsen.
Risks and contraindications
- Allergy. Despite the fact that rolled oats are not among the products that often cause allergic reactions, negative manifestations are quite possible at an early age. Especially if the potential allergen entered the body too early or came in excess quantities.
- Gluten intolerance. Hypersensitivity to the protein gluten, found in large quantities in oatmeal, occurs in about one in 400 babies. Such children may have an extremely dangerous manifestation - destruction of the intestinal mucosa. It is this risk that justifies the recommendation of pediatricians to introduce only porridges made from gluten-free cereals in the first year of a baby’s life.
- Diarrhea. If you consume oat decoction every day in significant quantities, the risk of stool disorders increases in an infant.
- The occurrence of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in the body. Due to the presence of phytic acid in the product, its frequent and excessive consumption can lead to such disorders, which are extremely dangerous at an early age.
The listed risks eloquently indicate that frequent and uncontrolled use of oatmeal decoction can have a very negative impact on the health of the baby. That is why the use of the product in the first 12 months should be carried out after consultation with the supervising pediatrician.
How to make oatmeal jelly - a classic recipe?
Classic options for preparing oatmeal jelly consist of a minimum of ingredients so that the drink contains the maximum amount of useful microelements and a minimum of additives.
Hercules recipe
Hercules flakes are a popular healthy breakfast among adherents of proper nutrition.
To prepare an equally healthy drink, take:
- 160 g Hercules porridge;
- 1.7 liters of water;
- 50 g rye flour bread crusts or 50 ml kefir;
- salt.
Prepare oatmeal jelly from Hercules according to the following scheme:
- Sourdough: in a 3 liter jar, pour Hercules porridge with lukewarm water, throw in a crust of bread or kefir. Close well, cover, place in a warm place for 1-2 days.
- Filter through a sieve, thoroughly grinding the oatmeal cake. Mix the resulting liquid and leave it in the cold overnight.
- The concentrate should separate from the kvass. Let's separate these two factions. A thick concentrate is necessary for jelly.
- Next, the concentrate is mixed with water in proportions 1:2 and boiled. The drink is drunk warm or at room temperature.
Cooking with oatmeal
We will need:
- 3 stacks oatmeal;
- 2.5 stacks water at room temperature;
- 1 slice of white bread;
- salt to taste.