Sweeteners for Babies | Healthy Sugar Substitutes for Baby Food

Sweeteners for baby food are the natural alternatives to white sugar that are safe for babies. The taste is mild, not too strong, and blends well with all kinds of baby porridges, fruit mashes or purees. These sweeteners can be made using jaggery, palm jaggery or palm sugar candy. Each one has its own flavor and slight difference in taste. It is advisable to give sugar only after the babies turns 1 year.

Most store-bought sweeteners contain chemicals or refined sugar which is not good for small babies. Making your own natural sweeteners at home is very easy and safe too. I prefer using jaggery or palm sugar as it gives mild sweetness and also adds little nutrition. Once you make this, it becomes very handy whenever you prepare baby porridge or purees.

Jump to:

• About Sweeteners for Baby Food
• Sweeteners for Baby Food Ingredients
• How to make Sweetners for Babies Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving and Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Sweeteners for Baby Food

Sweeteners for baby food is a simple and healthy way to make the meal tastier and easy to feed. It is one of those things I keep ready in my kitchen always. When we start feeding babies solid food, the taste matters a lot. Some babies eat only when their food taste a little sweet, so adding a mild natural sweetener really helps

Jaggery and palm jaggery are known for their iron content and rich taste. They also give a warm color and nice aroma to the food. Palm sugar candy, on the other hand, is lighter in taste and can be powdered and stored for a long time. The syrup form of jaggery and palm jaggery is useful when you want to mix quickly with any food.

The texture of these sweeteners is thick and smooth when made as syrup and fine when powdered. Once cooled, it can be stored in refrigerator and used whenever needed. You can choose whichever suits your baby taste and digestion.

I always prefer making small batch so it stays fresh. It save lot of time during busy mornings when baby is hungry and want food immediately.

Sweeteners for Baby Food Ingredients

• Jaggery - I used this for its rich taste and mild sweet. It also give nice color and add bit of iron to baby food. You can use organic jaggery for more purity.
• Palm Jaggery - I used this as it gives deep flavor and more nutrition. It is little darker and thicker than normal jaggery.
• Palm Sugar Candy - I have used palm sugar candy for light sweetness and it is good for babies who like gentle taste. You can powder it and use when needed.
• Water - I used little water just enough to immerse and melt jaggery. It help to make clean syrup without burning. You can adjust water as how thick you want the syrup.

Why This Recipe Works

• This recipe is a natural, safe and suitable for babies above six months.
• It is easy to make and keeps well in refrigerator for many days.
• The sweetness is gentle, so it does not overpower the baby food.
• You can make it in small or big batches depending on your need.
• It can be used in porridge, puree or even fruit mash to make it tastier.

Similar Recipes

• Cereal Recipes for Babies
• Baby Puree Recipes
• Rice Cereal for Babies
• Wheat Porridge
• Nuts powder

How to make Sweetners for Babies Step by Step

1.Measure jaggery and add it in a pan, add water and dissolve it well

2.Heat it up for 2 minutes just for the jaggery to get dissolved. Strain to remove impurities, Cool down then refrigerate.

3.Crush palm jaggery, I use my hand mortar and pestle. Transfer crushed palm jaggery to a pan.

4.Add water till immersing level. Crush it well using a potato masher.

5.Heat it up and cook for few minutes the jaggery melts completely. Strain to remove impurities.

6.Store the syrup, cool down then refrigerate. Now take palm sugar candy in  dry mixer, powder it and then store.

Refrigerate the syrups, use it as and when needed. You can keep the palm sugar candy powder in room temperature itself.

Expert Tips

• Use clean jaggery - I choose organic jaggery or palm jaggery so that it has less impurities. Always strain the syrup after melting to remove dirt.
• Cook till just dissolved - I have seen many overcook it but it is enough to heat only till it melts. If you cook more it becomes hard after cooling.
• Thickness matters - The syrup should be little thinner than honey. It helps to mix easily with baby food and keeps well too.
• Storage tips - I usually cool the syrup fully and keep in small glass jar. You can store and refrigerate it for around two weeks.
• Alternative sweeteners - You can try palm sugar candy powder when you do not want to make syrup. It stays fresh for long and very handy during travel.

Serving and Storage

You can use these sweeteners while making baby porridge, fruit puree or any healthy mix for babies. It blends easily and gives mild natural sweetness. Always use small quantity at first and see if your baby likes the taste. Keep the syrup refrigerated and take out only required portion each time.

FAQS

1.Can I give this to 5 month baby?

It is better to start only after 1 year when baby begins semi solids. Before that plain fruit puree is enough.

2.Can I use white sugar?

White sugar is not much recommended for babies as it give only empty calories and no nutrition.

3.How can I store the syrup?

You can keep the syrup in fridge for around two weeks. Just make sure to use clean dry spoon each time you take it.

4.Can I mix this with milk?

Yes, you can add a small amount of syrup to baby's milk porridge or ragi porridge for sweet taste. Mix only after cooling.

5.What if the syrup becomes too thick?

If it becomes thick, you can add little warm water and stir well before using. It will become smooth again.

If you have any more questions about this Sweetners for baby food do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

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📖 Recipe Card