Baby Toddler cereal, rice, dry
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a finely milled, dehydrated powder made from polished white rice, designed for infants and toddlers. It has a neutral, slightly starchy taste and a smooth, thin texture when mixed with liquid, making it an easy-to-digest first food. Nutritionally, it is a dense source of quick energy from carbohydrates, with minimal fat or fiber.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 88% carbs · 5% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Parents love it for its reliability as a first food that babies almost universally accept, thanks to its bland, non-threatening flavor. Its versatility is key—it can be mixed with breast milk, formula, pureed fruits, or vegetables to gradually expand a child's palate.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
As a refined carbohydrate, it can cause rapid blood sugar spikes and offers little nutritional density beyond calories and some added vitamins. To counteract this, always mix it with a protein or fat source like breast milk, formula, or a spoonful of nut butter/puree, and pair it with nutrient-rich fruits or veggies.
Key benefits
- Hypoallergenic and gentle on developing digestive systems.
- Excellent source of easily digestible energy (390 kcal/100g dry).
- Often fortified with iron, a critical nutrient for early growth.
- Provides a blank canvas for introducing other flavors and textures.
- Long shelf life and simple preparation with just hot water or milk.
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process of making this cereal involves parboiling the rice grains before milling them, which helps gelatinize the starches to make them even easier for a baby's immature digestive system to break down.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 5.1 g |
| Energy | 390 kcal |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 83.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 860 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 53.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 37.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 273 mg |
| Potassium, K | 281 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 32.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 10.9 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.23 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 58.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.2 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.5 mg |
| Niacin | 23.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.89 mg |
| Folate, total | 247 ug |
| Folic acid | 212 ug |
| Folate, food | 35.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 396 ug |
| Choline, total | 18.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.80 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.80 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 8.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.50 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.23 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.18 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.42 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.21 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.78 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.36 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Babyfood, dinner, chicken stew, toddler — USDA does not publish this profile for Baby Toddler cereal.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.22 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.41 g |
| Lysine | 0.41 g |
| Methionine | 0.11 g |
| Cystine | 0.05 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.21 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.17 g |
| Valine | 0.29 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.30 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.47 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.90 g |
| Glycine | 0.29 g |
| Proline | 0.35 g |
| Serine | 0.21 g |
FAQ
Is rice cereal a choking hazard?
When prepared correctly to a smooth, thin consistency for early eaters, it is not a choking hazard. The risk increases if it is made too thick or if the infant is not developmentally ready for solids.
Does it contain arsenic?
Rice can naturally absorb arsenic from soil and water. Reputable manufacturers test their products and follow strict limits, especially for baby foods. Rinsing the prepared cereal with extra water and using varied grains can reduce exposure.
When can I start introducing it?
It is typically introduced around 4-6 months when a baby shows signs of readiness for solids, such as good head control and interest in food. Always consult your pediatrician.
Can I make it at home?
Yes, you can grind plain white rice into a fine powder and cook it thoroughly with liquid, but commercial versions are fortified with iron and other nutrients crucial for infant development.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.90 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 1.3 g fiber · 4.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.11 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.