Super Seeds for Super Kids & Babies: The Amazing Benefits of Flaxseeds, Chia Seeds, and Hemp Hearts
7/31/2023
Written By: Tiny Sprouts
Tiny Sprouts Foods is a female-led children's nutrition company, that helps parents make every bite count through its range of nutrient-rich Organic Superseed Boosters – the first ever and only seed products designed just for babies and young children. Blends of cold-milled seeds, probiotics, vitamin D and other superfoods, these boosters can be added (or hidden!) into ANY existing food to support a child’s daily nutrient needs, improve immune & digestive health, and even reduce risk of future disease. Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters are heavy metal tested for purity and safety and are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and have no added sugar, salt or preservatives.
Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters are a recommended product by the team at 101 before one. Get 10% off your Tiny Sprouts order using code 101BEFOREONE at checkout (www.tinysproutsfoods.com)
As parents, we strive to provide our children with the best nutrition to support their growth and development. While fruits and vegetables often take center stage in a child's diet, it's important not to overlook the incredible benefits of super seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp hearts. These tiny powerhouses are packed with essential nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber, making them an excellent addition to your little one's diet from as early as 6 months. Because super seeds are so nutrient rich and an easy addition to ANY food, flax, chia and hemp can help fill nutritional gaps during this special time of development.
In this article we will cover the following:
What is the difference between flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp hearts?
What are the health benefits of super seeds for babies and kids?
What are the recommended serving sizes for seeds for babies and kids?
How to introduce super seeds into your child’s diet?
What is the difference between flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp hearts?
Flaxseeds – Mega on Omega!
Did you know that flaxseeds are one of the highest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), on the planet?1,5,9. One serving provides 2.4g of ALA, which is more than sufficient for a toddler to meet their omega-3 intake for the day. 5,6,9,18
With high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and more, flaxseeds are an excellent food to include in your child's diet.5 Flaxseeds are also full of antioxidants.2,5 The nutrients flaxseeds are best known for are omega 3s, fiber and lignans. Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds also contains vitamin-D and a full serving of probiotics.
Flaxseeds can be found in whole or milled (ground) form but can only offer their nutritional benefits if consumed in their milled form as the shell prohibits absorption within the body.
Chia seeds – The ultimate FIBER fuel!
One serving of chia seeds provides over 24% of the daily fiber needs for a toddler, making chia the perfect addition to any meal. 2,3 Chia is 35% fiber by weight making them one of the highest fiber sources your family can consume on this planet. 2
With high levels of protein, B-vitamins, magnesium, iron, and zinc, chia seeds are an easy and almost perfect food to include in your child's diet.2 The nutrients chia seeds are best known for are fiber, calcium, omega-3s, and antioxidants.2 Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Chia Seeds also contain vitamin-D and a full serving of probiotics.
Like flaxseeds, chia seeds can also be found either in a whole seed form or milled (ground) form. Both forms are highly nutritious and can be used in all types of foods (including baby-fav chia pudding!). However, milled chia seeds are better suited towards children as they are better digested and absorbed by their digestive systems which are still developing. Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Chia Seeds are cold-milled for this very reason – no soaking required and can be safely used with no choking risk from as early as 6 months of age.
Hemp Hearts – Protein Power!
Derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, hemp hearts, also known as hulled hemp seeds, are the soft, white inner kernels found inside the hemp seed. Despite their association with cannabis, hemp hearts do not contain psychoactive compounds and are perfectly safe for consumption and extremely beneficial from as early as 6 months of age.
Hemp hearts are one of the best plant-based sources of complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. This makes them a valuable addition to vegetarian or vegan diets, supporting muscle growth, repair, and overall protein needs.
Hemp hearts are also an excellent source of magnesium. Just one tablespoon provides a toddler with 70% of their daily recommended intake. This is a great boost because toddlers sweat a lot and magnesium is easily lost through sweat! Magnesium is vital for kids as it helps regulate mood and sleep!
Hemp hearts also contain other key nutrients such as iron, zinc, B-vitamins, and omega 3s. Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts also contain vitamin-D and a full serving of probiotics to further support immune and digestive health.
What are the health benefits of super seeds for babies and kids?
It’s clear that super seeds contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are crucial for your child's growth and overall well-being. Their tiny size yet mighty nutrient density makes them the perfect food for growing brains and bodies. Now let’s explore the benefits these nutrients bring to our little ones.
Omega-3s for Brain Development, Nervous System and Heart Health:
Omega-3 fatty acids play a critical role in brain development and cognitive function. Including super seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp hearts in your child's diet provides a source of these essential fatty acids, especially for vegetarian or vegan children. Omega-3s help improve concentration, memory, and learning abilities, making them especially beneficial for growing children. They also help regulate the nervous system and support lifelong heart health.
Fiber for Digestive Health:
Fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system, preventing constipation, and promoting regular bowel movements. Super seeds like chia seeds and flaxseeds are excellent sources of soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps regulate digestion and supports a healthy gut.
Tiny Sprouts Organic Digestion Booster is an amazing source of fiber offering over 20% of toddlers daily fiber needs in one small serving. The combination of cold-milled flaxseeds, chia seeds and apples act as a prebiotic which aids in the effectiveness of the included probiotic for optimal digestive and immune health. Each toddler serving of the Digestion Booster contains one complete serving of probiotics (500 million CFU).
Plant-Based Protein Power:
Protein is vital for growth, muscle development, and overall health. Super seeds offer a superior plant-based source of protein that is easily digestible and suitable for all kids, including those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Hemp hearts and chia seeds, for example, contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete, high-quality protein source.
Calcium for Strong Teeth & Bones
Super seeds contain calcium which helps to support the growth of strong teeth and bones. Chia seeds for example contain over 5 times more calcium than whole milk (gram per gram) which makes them a great addition to help support the growth of teeth and bones during the first few years of life where the greatest growth occurs.
Essential Minerals for Optimal Health:
Super seeds are packed with essential minerals that contribute to your child's overall health. Hemp hearts, for instance, are an excellent source of iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Iron is crucial for red blood cell production, while magnesium and zinc support bone health, immune function, and energy production. These minerals are particularly important during periods of rapid growth in children.
Not all Super Seeds are created equal and there are no better seeds for babies and big kids other than Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters. Not only do they all contain a full serving of heat-resistant probiotics that provide immune and digestive benefits, but they also include vitamin D3 which is a leading deficiency among children. Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters are also heavy-metal tested by a lab accredited by the baby food council. Designed for children, engineered by moms and developed in collaboration with Pediatric Experts, Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters are certified organic, Non-GMO, vegan, and free from added sugar, salt and preservatives.
What are the recommended serving sizes for seeds for babies and kids?
With their itty bitty size and nutrient density, babies only require a small amount to reap their amazing benefits!
Recommended serving sizes for milled flaxseeds and chia seeds (up to 2x/day):
1 tbsp serving (5g) for babies ages 6-12 months
2 tbsp serving (10g) for children ages 1-3 years
3 tbsp serving (15g) for kids 4+ years
Please note that because chia and flaxseeds are high in fiber, it is important to serve your little one adequate water as you would with any fiber rich food or meal!
Recommended serving sizes for hemp hearts (up to 2x/day):
2 tsp serving (5g) for babies ages 6-12 months
1 tbsp serving (8g) for children ages 1-3 years
2 tbsp serving (16g) for kids 4+ years
How to Introduce Super Seeds in your Little One’s Diet
Similar to how you would introduce any new food into your little one’s diet, start off by introducing your chosen super seeds slowly over the course of a couple of days, gradually building up to the full serving size.
Super seeds are essentially tasteless, which makes them an excellent and easy addition to any food your child eats. They can be baked, mixed, or sprinkled onto all foods and beverages that children eat!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Mix into oatmeal or overnight oats
Make a chia or flax pudding
Use as an egg substitute (chia egg or flax egg)
Sprinkle onto yogurt
Mix into any baby food puree
Use to coat slippery foods such as avocado or banana
Mix into smoothies, pancake or waffle batter
Sprinkle on peanut butter toast
Sprinkle on pizza or pasta (mac & cheese!)
Make energy balls
Bake into any of your little one’s favorite treats!
The options are truly endless!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds#section3
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322585#non-dairy-sources-of-calcium
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627181/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926888/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808895/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073254/
Tiny Sprouts Foods is a children's nutrition company focused on producing convenient, nutrient-rich products that offer functional health benefits to the developing child. They are committed to making every bite count through their debut range of Organic Superseed BoostersTM, which can easily be added to any food to boost nutritional content, support a child’s daily health needs, and give parents the peace of mind they deserve. Learn more at https://www.tinysproutsfoods.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is based on the experience of the author and science-based research. It is not intended to replace medical advice or diagnosis from a physician or other medical provider. This blog is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with a physician or other healthcare provider. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions discussed in this blog. It is important to talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician prior to starting any new medications or supplements.