Sathu maavu (a South Indian term) is a homemade health mix powder that newborns can take after the age of six months. To produce nutritious porridge for babies, grains, cereals, and pulses are pulverized and combined with water. Some items can also be sprouted overnight to boost their nutritional value.

Health mix powder produced at home for newborns. It is the finest weight-gaining diet for newborns and may be given to babies about 8 months after introducing rice, dal, a few vegetables, and fruits. However, for little newborns, avoid cashews and badam; after 9 months, they can be included. Also, when you first start, make oatmeal with this health mix powder and 1 tsp of water. Increase the quantity gradually.

Advantages of homemade health mix powder:

You may tailor the meal to your baby’s allergies and dietary needs. The home-made health mixture may be used to make idlis, cakes, and dosas in addition to baby food. Brown rice is high in fiber and aids digestion.

Homemade sathu maavu is devoid of chemicals and preservatives and may be eaten right away. Ragi, one of the main constituents of sathu maavu, is high in calcium, which aids in bone formation.

Horse gram has a lot of protein, which helps your baby grow and develop quickly. The home-made health mix powder may be kept at room temperature for one month and in the refrigerator for three to six months.

How to make Sathu mavu/ Homemade health mix powder for babies:

• Separately soak ragi/nachni, horse gramme, masoor dal, and moong dal overnight in separate containers.
• The grains should then be wrapped separately in a soft cotton towel and stored in a dry area. For a day, dry the grains.
• Brown rice, ragi/nachni, horse gramme, masoor dal, moong dal, almonds, and elaichi should be roasted separately in a clean and dry nonstick pan. 
• Ensure that each item is roasted on a medium-low heat to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked from the inside, not just the outside. The color darkens after being roasted. Place aside to cool.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender once it has cooled (grinder). Make sure the mixture becomes a fine powder.
• Later allow for cooling and fill an airtight container with the home made health mixture.

How to prepare health mix porridge:

To make health mix powder porridge at home for babies, follow these simple steps:

• 1 cup of water should be mixed with 2 teaspoons of sathu maavu powder.
• Stir constantly to prevent the creation of lumps.
• You can season the porridge with jaggery (gur) or salt.