The Benefits Of Feeding Your Child In Silverware

Silver is one of the most commonly used metals in the manufacture of cutlery and utensils. It has been around for centuries and is an everyday sight in almost all the households in India. This is because of the age old belief  that Silver has antibacterial properties. Thus, incorporating silver utensils in our everyday cutlery spread is definitely a must option as it can help prevent disease-causing bacteria from spreading. Read ahead to know The Benefits Of Feeding Your Child In Silverware.

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Why Use Silver for Babies?

I was expecting my first child that’s when my family had organised a Godh Bharai Function (Indian Baby Shower) where the hosts receive blessings and gift from their well wishers. That day the start of the function was done by serving some Kheer on a silver bowl and I was asked to have it, not paying much attention to it that time I gulped it down. On my return back home when I was unwrapping the gifts, to my suprise I discovered that a majority of the gifts were silver items - such as Paldai, Silver Spoons set, Silver Bowls etc, out of curiosity I asked my grandma whether it’s just for pride as I have noticed silverware used in temples too. She said we have the tradition to use silver as it has many medicinal benefits and easy to maintain than copper.

Below mentioned are the medicinal benefits of silverware for babies and adults. Silverware is a great metal to serve food to babies because most importantly, it is safe even when traces of it are consumed by the body, unlike lead and mercury. Here are a few other reasons why:

1. Silver is Bacteria-Free

Silver has an inherent property that prevents the build-up of bacteria cells in its chemical bonds. This means that bacteria aren’t able to survive and thrive, unlike many other metals. Silverware also doesn’t need to be sterilized unlike plastic and synthetic utensils because of this property. This is one of the main reasons medicines are given to babies in silver bowls or trays.

2. Easy to Maintain

Silverware is easy to maintain and does not require a lot of scrubbing or cleaning. Minimal soap and water is enough to do the job and you also don’t need to sterilize them. It is important to remember not to polish silverware used for babies because it could mix with the chemicals.

3. Non-Toxic

Silver doesn’t cause cancer of any sort unlike plastics and many other metals. It doesn’t cause any problems in the reproductive system or even neurological damage which the former two can. It has some great properties and is safe for kids to use.

4. Boosts Immunity

Since silver can kill germs, this can be good for health in the long term. It is a common belief that some small traces of silver when mixed with baby food, can improve immunity. While this hasn’t been proven, it is still a good idea to feed them in silver as it does not have any harmful traces in it.

5. Retains Freshness

Storing food in silverware is always a good idea because it can destroy the viruses, bacteria and germs in the food. In olden times, milk was infused with silver coins to keep it fresher for a longer period. Water was also kept in silverware to help enhance freshness and keep it tasty for more time.

6. The Absence of Any BPA

BPA is an additive in plastics that are used to make it more durable. This can sometimes latch onto food items and cause hormonal imbalances in addition to obesity. Other risks also include increased risks of breast cancer, prostate cancer and infertility. Instead of searching for high BPA or “BPA-Free” plastics, you could switch to silver.

7. No Phthalates

Another common ingredient used to make plastics is phthalates and this is known to cause both fertility and immunity issues. This can affect full-grown adults, so imagining the effect it could have on children is quite scary. Instead, try using silverware as it is proven to have no additives that can harm anyone from a health perspective.

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Tips to Use Silverware for Babies

If you are thinking how to use silverware utensils on a daily basis while feeding your baby then these tips might be helpful

• Glasses: Silver glasses can be used to store liquids such as juices and drinks.
• Bowls and spoons: Silver bowls and spoons can be used to serve rice, upma ets
• Plates: Plates can be used to serve hot chapattis or curries and other liquid food items Remember always to feed your child in Silver plates and avoid fancy plastic plates.
• Paladas: These smaller silver bowls can be used to serve delicious fruit and vegetables purees like carrots, bananas, peaches, apples and green peas or milk. You can also use them to give Prescription syrups to child to cure cough or cold.

Pros of Silverware Products for Babies

1. Foods served silver utensils helps fight through bacteria.
2. Builds baby’s Immune System
3. BPA free
4. The body fights against diseases
5. Manufactures the brain, the eyes are strong, the eyes increase and the extension is controlled by Pitta, Kapha and Vata Dosha. 
6. Gives Coolness to the body
7. You don’t have to sterilize everyday.

How to Clean Silver Vessels?

Silverware can be easily cleaned with the help of just some soap and water. Start by rinsing the silver in warm water and some dishwashing soap. The silver can then be placed in pots lined with aluminium foil which is then mixed with boiling water and some baking soda. This hot solution will help remove any blackness from the silver, deeming it good to go after rinsing.

You could touch the silverware with some polish if you feel like. Not necessary to do it everyday.

To sum it up, silverware might not have any proven medicinal properties but is still a great option to serve food in, owing to its antibacterial properties. It is also easy to clean. Silver is also not poisonous to consume as it does not have any effect in the body unlike metals such as mercury and lead.

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