How to Safely Use Herbs and Spices for Children

Zainab’s Story

Herbs and spices for babies can make a world of difference when introducing solids, but Zainab did not know that at first. When Zainab first became a mother, she made it her mission to feed her daughter, Amina, only the best. She had heard countless times about the importance of giving her baby healthy, homemade meals. However, when it was time to introduce solids, Zainab hit a bump in the road: Amina refused to eat the bland porridge she had carefully prepared. Day after day, she found herself pushing food around the plate, trying to convince her baby to eat.

As a result, Zainab began exploring herbs and spices for babies, a natural way to add flavor, boost nutrition and make mealtime exciting again.

Why You Should Befriend Herbs and Spices for Babies

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to eat food that tastes like cardboard. Herbs and spices for babies are the quickest way to turn “meh” meals into “mummy, more please.”

Beyond the deliciousness, spices:

• Help children enjoy healthier food without drama.
  
• Build lifelong healthy eating habits.
  
• Supply natural nutrients and powerful antioxidants.
  
• Offer natural “first aid” like boosting digestion, calming inflammation, and strengthening little immune systems.
  
• Reduce the need for excessive salt, sugar, and dangerous seasoning cubes.

Zainab began researching how to safely use herbs and spices for babies and young children. What she discovered amazed her. Herbs like scent leaves (nchuanwu) and spices like turmeric and ginger didn’t just belong in adult meals; they packed nutrients that supported her baby’s immune system, promoted digestion, and even helped prevent illnesses.

She learned that these natural seasonings could make meals more flavorful and nutritious without relying on salt or artificial seasoning cubes. Most importantly, parents could use them in ways that kept babies and toddlers safe.

Nutritional Power of Spices (aka Nature’s Multivitamin)

If fruits and veggies are the celebrities of nutrition, then herbs and spices are the humble assistants doing all the background work. Many spices are loaded with antioxidants that protect the heart, clean up inflammation, and even lower disease risks quietly and efficiently, just like that one aunty who handles wedding plans without shouting.

Some star players:

Turmeric: Packs curcumin, a top-notch anti-inflammatory.
Garlic: Good for the heart, supports blood circulation, and even fights off stubborn cholesterol.
Ginger: The tummy’s best friend, eases nausea, clears catarrh, and soothes joint pains.
Cinnamon: A sweet helper for balancing blood sugar and keeping the heart in shape.

Amina’s First Taste of Spice

Zainab started small. She took the first step by adding a pinch of ginger and garlic to Amina’s porridge. She watched her baby’s eyes light up as the new flavors danced across her taste buds. Amina was intrigued, and Zainab was thrilled to see her daughter’s interest in food come alive.

The next day, she added a bit of fermented locust bean (iru) to Amina’s porridge. It was a taste she herself had loved growing up, and she was excited to see if Amina would enjoy it too. To her delight, Amina didn’t just eat; she seemed to relish the new flavors, happily devouring her meals.

Safe Spice Combinations for Babies and Children

Let’s break this down by age:

For Babies Aged 6–12 Months

Start gently and keep the combinations simple:

For Porridges and Local Meals

• Fermented locust bean (iru/ogiri/okpei) + crayfish + onions
• Fermented locust bean + mushroom powder + onions
• Country onions + uda + crayfish
• Fermented locust bean + crayfish + scent leaves + onions
• Mushroom powder + onions + red bell peppers (tatashe)
• Fish head stock (deboned) + onions
• For Sauces and Continental-style Meals
• Ginger + garlic + onions
• Ginger + garlic + onions + carrots + thyme or spring onions
• Garlic + ginger + onions + mushroom powder
• Ginger + garlic + onions + basil powder
• Ginger + garlic + onions + colorful bell peppers
• Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg
• Bone broth or meat stock (unsalted)

Note: Yes, babies can have a little pepper, especially from natural sources like bell peppers or scotch bonnet used sparingly.

For Children Aged 12 Months and Above

At this stage, continue with all spice mixes used for 6–12 months, but you can begin to expand their flavor experience.

For Porridges and Local Meals

Continue with all spice mixes used for 6–12 months,

For Sauces and Continental-style Meals

• Ginger + garlic + onions + curry powder + carrots
• Ginger + garlic + onions + cumin + carrots
• Cinnamon + ginger + onions
• Bone broth or meat stock (a small amount of salt can be added now)

Spices/Seasonings You Can Buy That Are Tested and Trusted

Now, if you’re a busy parent (which is all of us), you don’t have to roast your own cumin seeds before your baby’s next meal.

You can buy tested and trusted, age-appropriate seasonings that don’t carry harmful chemicals and artificial flavors here – Nutrition4kidsng website 

Look out for these when shopping:

• A versatile spice rack with individual spices like cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, thyme, and basil is a great start.
• Child-friendly blends that work like magic for stews, porridges, and roast meals. 

Some favorites include:

• A mild soup seasoning with rich herbs and spices.
• A tangy, nutritious ranch style mix made with baobab.
• A natural meat seasoning without MSG.
• A vegetable-based seasoning powder that boosts taste and nutrients.
• A flavorful curry powder made with safe proportions of spices.
• A rich jollof or stew mix that makes meals shine without needing stock cubes.
• A nature-inspired spice blend perfect for fish, chicken, and meat.

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Healthy Journey

For Zainab, it’s been a rewarding journey, one that’s not just about making food taste good but also about nurturing Amina’s health and wellbeing with the wonders of nature. Herbs and spices, once seen as mere flavoring agents, have become a vital part of Amina’s nutrition, offering not just taste but essential nutrients.

Who knows? Like Amina, your baby might just grow up to ask for more of those healthy, flavorful herbs and spices in their meals. Visit our Nutrition4KidsNG website to find tested and trusted, age-appropriate seasonings and spice blends that will make your meals flavorful and nutritious.