Friday 5 November 2010
Wheat Germ/Hvedekim/小麦胚芽[xiǎo mài pēi yá]
For babies from 8 - 9 months after other grains have been introduced.
The germ is the vitamin and mineral rich embryo of the wheat kernel that is removed during the refining of whole wheat grains to white flour. (麦芽,指小麦粒的中间部分,富含维生素,常常被添加到其它食品里)
Adding wheat germ to your baby's food is an effortless and wonderful way to give your little one a real nutritional boost and get important nutrients into your baby if he eats little, or will only eat a limited variety of foods, since wheat germ has a subtle taste.
Tips:
1. Use wheat germ to make an interesting 'topping' for cooked veggies.
2. Wheat germ serves as an ideal thickener for overly runny purees.
3. Add wheat germ into your baby's meat dishes, egg or yogurt.
4. Stir it into your baby's soups, stews and casseroles.
5. If your baby finds finger foods like bananas, peaches and pears too slippery to handle, coat them with wheat germ and they'll be much easier to pick up!
6. If you are breading foods like tofu or chicken for your baby, stir some wheat germ into the bread crumbs.
7. Make a 'baby apple pie' by topping sugar free applesauce with wheat germ.
8. If you are baking for your baby, try using a small amount of wheat germ as a substitute for an equivalent amount of flour (for example - if your recipe calls for 6oz flour, use 1oz wheat germ and 5oz flour).
Nutritional Value:
Wheat germ provides an impressive bundle of nutrients including protein, vitamin A, vit B1, B3, B5 (helps baby’s body assimilate energy from food), B6, folate, and the minerals zinc, potassium, phosphorus (promotes healthy bones and teeth), calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
Wheat germ is high in oil – it contains naturally occurring polyunsaturated fat. Wheat germ also contains a high amount of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which strengthens baby’s immune system and also helps protect the oil in the wheat germ from quickly becoming rancid.
Because of its high oil content, improperly stored wheat germ can become rancid. So store it in sealed glass jars and keep it refrigerated.
There are no extra health benefits to wheat germ oil.
References:
http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/wheat-germ.html
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/tipwheatgerm.htm
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=66#summary
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