Fruits are an essential and enjoyable part of your baby’s diet. Owing to the high amount of nutrients they contain, it becomes extremely important to feed your baby with fruits to ensure her healthy growth and development.
Below is a list of 10 fruits that can be included in your baby’s diet-
1.Apple
Apples are a wonderful fruit and may be the best to start with. Coming from J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, this crunchy and juicy fruit holds tons of important nutrients beneficial to your baby.
What are the benefits of apples?
Some of the health benefits of apples are:
- Strengthens bones:
Contains a flavonoid called phloridzin which increases bone density and hence strengthens and protects your baby’s bones. - Prevents Diabetes:
Apples lower the insulin requirement in our bodies and hence aid in preventing diabetes. - Prevents constipation:
The soluble fiber Pectin keeps the bowel movements regular, hence avoiding constipation. - Efficient remedy for cough:
Sweet apples are efficient in battling cough. Or simply, juice an apple and give it to your baby. - Improves immunity:
Contains Vitamin C, which increases body’s resistance to various infections.
When can I introduce apples to my baby’s diet?
Apples can be introduced as your baby’s first foods at about 6 months of age. However, it is recommended that you peel the apples before feeding babies under 8 months.
What are some of the ways to introduce apples to my baby’s diet?
Some of the ways to introduce apple in your baby’s diet are:
- Apple Puree:
- Peel and cut apples into cubes.
- Boil these cubes with enough water until the pieces become tender.
- Now mash this mixture to achieve a smooth paste like consistency.
- Add more water, if required.
2. Baked apples:
- Core the apples but do not peel them.
- Place a little bit of butter in the core of the apple, if your baby is ready to have butter.
- Sprinkle a little cinnamon, if you require.
- Place in a baking pan with a bit of water and bake for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Take it out of the oven and let it cool.
- You may now peel the apple or cut it into pieces, as desired.
2. Avocado
Known for its creamy texture, Avocados are great for your baby’s first food. Originating from Mexico and Central America, it is called the “Nature’s Perfect Food”.
What are the benefits of avocados?
Some of the benefits of avocados for your baby are:
- Builds intelligence:
Avocados are packed with good fats which are necessary for the development of a highly functional brain. - Flushes out toxins:
Neutralizes and flushes out harmful toxins present in your baby’s body because of the high number of antioxidants. - Storehouse of nutrients:
Feeding your baby avocados provides her with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K and minerals including iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, etc. - Promotes baby’s health:
Avocados promote baby’s health and wellness. They heal wounds, scratches and rashes faster than any antibiotic. - Possesses anti-inflammatory properties:
Avocados control inflammation brought about by any pathogen or tissue damage.
When can I introduce avocados to my baby’s diet?
As avocados are great to start with at finger foods, they can be introduced at 6 months of age.
What are some of the ways to introduce avocados to my baby’s diet?
Some easy avocado recipes are:
1) Mashed avocado:
- Peel and de-pit an avocado.
- Cut out the fleshy part and mash using a fork.
2) Banana-cado baby food:
- Peel and de-pit an avocado.
- Cut out the fleshy part in a bowl.
- Add in a ripe banana.
- Mash the two together with a fork and serve.
3) Creamy fruit mash:
- Peel and de-pit an avocado.
- Cut out the fleshy part in a bowl.
- Add steamed pears or steamed apples.
- Mix in a little amount of yogurt to give a smooth creamy texture.
- Your creamy fruit mash is ready to serve.
3. Banana
Bananas are packed with nutrition and are generally adored by babies because of their soft and mushy texture. These are an excellent choice for mothers who want to start the weaning process. These are grown in whole of South India except for Kerala, with Tamil Nadu being the maximum producer.
What are the benefits of bananas?
Benefits of bananas include:
- Boosts energy instantly:
Babies are always on the go. Bananas contain lots of carbs which boost your baby’s energy instantly. - Easily digestible:
Being rich in fiber, bananas are easily digestible and normalize the bowel movements which treats digestive disorder. - Keeps Baby Full for long:
Also, the fiber content in bananas keeps the babies full for longer, thereby increasing the time between feeds. - Fights diarrhea:
As opposed to popular belief, bananas help in binding your baby’s stools. - Prevents anaemia:
Being rich in iron, bananas stimulate RBC production. In addition to this, iron helps in preventing anaemia. - Improves eyesight:
Bananas contain important nutrients like Vitamins A, C, E and omega-3 which are effective in improving your baby’s eyesight.
When can I introduce bananas to my baby’s diet?
You can start feeding banana to your baby once she is 6 months old.
What are some of the ways to introduce bananas to my baby’s diet?
Given below are some recipes that your baby is sure to enjoy:
1) Pureed banana:
- Mash a banana using a fork.
- Add breast milk/ formula milk/ water, whatever desired and mix well.
- Serve immediately.
2) Peachy Bananas:
- Steam a peach or two.
- Add in a banana.
- Mix in a dollop of yogurt.
- Mash them until desired consistency is obtained.
4. Chikoo
Chikoo or Sapota or Sapodilla is a very sweet fruit liked by babies and adults alike. Being indigenous to Central and South America, now chikoo has become very common in Indian households.
What are the benefits of chikoo?
Some benefits of chikoo are as follows:
- Rich source of vitamins:
Contains vitamins like A, B, C which are necessary in physical as well as mental growth of babies. - Possesses antimicrobial properties:
Due to the antimicrobial nature of chikoo, it fights off various bacterial species that are known to cause infection in humans. - Cures diarrhoea and dysentery:
Unripe sapodilla plant is proved effective in curing diarrhoea and dysentery due to the presence of compounds known as tannins. - Good remedy for cough and cold:
The expectorant properties in chikoo can give relief from congestion and clogging that are generally associated with cough and cold. - Rich in antioxidants:
Being rich in antioxidants, chikoo or sapodilla is excellent in countering of free radicals formed during metabolism that protects your baby’s insides.
When can I introduce chikoos to my baby’s diet?
Sapodilla or chikoos can easily be introduced in your baby’s diet once she is 6–8 months old. It is quite safe for infants as it is not found to pose any allergic reactions to babies.
What are some of the ways to introduce chikoos to my baby’s diet?
Below are some of the ways to introduce chikoos to your baby’s diet:
1) Chikoo Puree:
- Cut the fruit into two halves and scoop the flesh out.
- Mash using a fork or blend using a blender.
- Serve.
2) Chikoo Milkshake:
- Peel and deseed a chikoo.
- Combine it with milk and blend till smooth.
- Feed your baby using a sterilised bowl and spoon.
3) Chikoo Banana Mash:
- Peel the chikoo and remove the seeds.
- Cut it into small halves.
- Add freshly cut pieces of banana.
- Add a little amount of breastmilk/ formula milk/ water.
- Mix all the ingredients together and serve.
Click on the link to see more super-delicious fruit recipes and the video on how to make them.
Originally published at www.babygogo.in on July 31, 2017.
