Benefits of Suji for Growing Children (and a few Recipes)!

Suji, semolina or rava is a coarse flour, which is obtained by granulating wheat.

Semolina has various health benefits for growing children as well as adults:

• It is loaded with proteins and has zero fat. The most advantageous things is that it doesn’t have any cholesterol. Suji also helps to improve heart health.
• Suji is a very rich source of iron, fiber and Vitamins E and B-Complex. The high fiber content of semolina makes you feel full for longer and controls overeating.
• Another mineral that is present in semolina is selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant which helps in preventing infections and strengthening the immune system.
• The presence of iron in semolina helps to prevent anemia.
• Semolina also contains phosphorus, which is an essential mineral for metabolizing magnesium and energy. It helps to boost nerve, bone and muscle health.
• Semolina is rich in calcium and helps to boost bone health.
• It also aids in bowel movement and helps in losing weight.
• Due to its low glycemic index, it is very beneficial for diabetics as it helps to control blood sugar levels within the body.

The coarse texture of semolina lends a great taste to various dishes and is a good choice for preparing several delicious meals. Now that you know the benefits of semolina, it is a must to add it to your child’s diet but that isn’t an easy task. Children only eat those foods which they find attractive and tasty. So, here’s how you can incorporate it in your child’s diet with ease-

1) Orange Syrup Semolina Cake

Give a healthy twist to your cakes by making an Orange Syrup Semolina Cake. If your child likes eating cakes, then he/she will love eating this cake and will not be bothered about the ingredients that are used to make the cake.

2) Semolina Pizza

Since kids love eating pizzas, you can easily make your own pizza base using semolina, and give your child a Semolina Pizza with lots of veggies.

3) Twisty Sambhar Maggi Pazzta

Making kids eat sambhar might not be easy, but if you give them a Twisty Sambhar Pazzta, made with Maggi Pazzta which is made from semolina, they will not be able to say no to it!

4) Suji Bhature

Making chhole bhature? Why not prepare your bhaturas using semolina? Give your child healthy Suji Bhature instead of refined flour bhaturas. Not only are these healthier but they are also very crispy!

5) Dates and Semolina Bars

In winters, if you wish to keep your child warm, make some delicious Dates Semolina Bars and you have a win-win situation. You are satisfied that your child is warm and your child is happy eating these finger-licking bars!

6) Suji Rasgulla

Rasgulla are loved by most kids so you can easily make Suji Rasgulla and treat your child and your family.

7) Maggi Pazzta Mushroom Soup

You love mushroom soup but your child doesn’t! Well just make some delicious Maggi Pazzta Mushroom Soup and get an empty bowl in minutes.

Apart from the above, you can also replace regular flour with suji to make biscuits and cookies. Semolina kheer, upma, halwa, ladoo, vada, idli and uttapam are commonly made in Indian households and most children like these. Semolina can also be used to thicken your stews and soups. This will not just give you the desired consistency but will also add a wonderful flavor to the dish.

Image Source: Betterbutter, Wikimedia commons

Priyanka Verma