Notes on preparing bird's nest for young children
Bird's nest is a food that provides plenty of nutrients needed for the development of young children. It also helps children increase their resistance and eat with a better appetite. However, so that your child can digest and absorb nutrients well, you need to note the following when preparing bird's nest for children:
How to steam bird's nest to eat on its own
For adults, we usually need 15 to 20 minutes to steam bird's nest. However, children's digestive systems are still weak and their teeth have not fully developed, so we need to add about 20 more minutes to make the nest strands softer. This will help children eat more easily and absorb more nutrients.
If you only prepare bird's nest for your child to eat on its own, not together with other dishes, it should be given in the evening before bed or in the morning before breakfast.
How to use bird's nest with porridge
Besides steaming bird's nest with rock sugar or stewing it with young pigeon, we can also eat bird's nest with porridge. However, note that you should not cook the porridge and the bird's nest together. Instead, steam the bird's nest separately and cook the porridge separately. Then, when the porridge is done, add the steamed bird's nest to the porridge pot and stir well before feeding your child.
Benefits of bird's nest for young children
Research shows that bird's nest is very good for children because it helps supplement protein, amino acids and many precious trace elements, and stimulates the child's digestive system. Besides being rich in amino acids, bird's nest also contains plenty of Ca and Fe, which are essential minerals that children's bodies are often lacking. Some rare elements in bird's nest, such as Cr, although low in content, are very valuable in stimulating digestion and absorption through the intestinal wall.
It is not only a source of high protein and low fat, but is also very good for bone development and helps strengthen children's immunity thanks to the large amount of iron in the nest itself. In addition, bird's nest contains the sugar galactose and no fat, so it is also a very good source of energy.
Children at the weaning age (from 07 months onwards) can eat bird's nest dishes. In particular, children who are malnourished, poor eaters, do not sleep well at night, or suffer from lung diseases or bronchitis are cases where it is advisable to supplement bird's nest regularly. If bird's nest is used regularly and in the right dose (about 70ml/day), the child's immunity and resistance will also improve.
School-age children should also eat bird's nest, especially during exam seasons, because the trace elements in bird's nest such as Mn, Cu, Zn and Br are very useful for stabilising the nervous system and strengthening the child's memory.
A few notes for you when giving bird's nest to your child
- Children of 7 months of age or younger should not be given bird's nest. At this stage, breast milk is the best source of nutrition for children.
- Overuse of bird's nest for children can backfire, making the child eat even less and worsening malnutrition. The reason is that bird's nest is sweet, easy to eat and to the child's taste, which may lead the child to eat only bird's nest and refuse other foods. Therefore, you should give your child bird's nest only in a certain dose.
Bird's nest is a precious source of nutrition for many people and ages, including young children. Giving bird's nest to your child at the right time, in the right dose and in the right way will bring many positive benefits for children's health and development.
See also:
Benefits of bird's nest for each group of people
Dishes made from bird's nest that are good for pregnant women