Used as a base for premature infant cereal

Used as a base for premature infant cereal recipe videos

This is not a standalone dish, but rather a foundational ingredient: single-grain rice cereal, often the very first solid food introduced to premature infants. It is a simple, hypoallergenic powder made from finely milled, cooked, and dried rice, designed to be mixed with breast milk, formula, or water to create a smooth, thin gruel. It originates from modern pediatric nutritional science, not a specific culinary tradition.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

It is primarily a source of easily digestible carbohydrates for quick energy. While low in protein, fat, and most vitamins, it is often fortified with iron, a critical nutrient for growing infants. A typical prepared serving is relatively low in calories, around 50-60 kcal per 100g.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	55 kcal
Protein	0.8 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	0.2 g
Fiber	0.3 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	5 mg
Iron	4 mg (fortified, ~20% DV)
Zinc	1.5 mg (~15% DV)
Thiamin (B1)	0.2 mg (~15% DV)
Folate	40 mcg (~10% DV)
Niacin (B3)	2 mg (~10% DV)
Potassium	25 mg
Calcium	20 mg
Phosphorus	15 mg

Per 1/4 cup dry cereal (15 g) mixed with liquid to make approx. 100 g prepared gruel · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Nutritionally, its uniqueness lies in its extreme simplicity and hypoallergenic nature, making it a safe 'first food' base. Culturally, it represents the intersection of medical nutrition and the universal milestone of a baby's first solid meal.