Summer fruits They are a great food option for the little ones. Its high water content makes them a very refreshing food, so they help prevent dehydration, have a pleasant taste, provide mineral salts and provide energy in the form of natural sugars.
The great advantage of the fruit is that it does not need cooking. Children can consume it at any time of the day with total comfort. They are also ideal to drink in smoothies, juices and sorbets, alone or in combination with each other.
The arrival of summer brings us a wide variety of fresh, tasty and nutritious fruits. We will talk watermelon, melon, peach and other summer fruits. Its characteristics, what they contribute and at what age each one is introduced (always one by one and separately) in the child's diet.
Watermelon
Watermelon is the fruit that contains the most water. Nothing less than 93 percent of its composition is water, becoming a powerful moisturizer and ideal for children who do not drink enough liquid. To give you an idea, two slices of watermelon are equivalent to a glass of water.
It provides very few calories and highlights its content in mineral salts, mainly potassium and magnesium. But the highlight of watermelon is a pigment called lycopene responsible for the pink color of the pulp with important antioxidant properties. It is believed to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular and degenerative diseases.
It is an easy fruit to digest, however it can be indigestible after copious meals, which is why it is preferable to offer it as a snack or at breakfast instead of as a dessert.
When and how to offer watermelon to the baby
It can be introduced in the diet of babies from 6 months. However, being a fruit too sweet and being practically pure water, at the nutritional level it is suggested to start offering other fruits at these ages.
The best way to offer the baby watermelon is cut into slices or large pieces and hold it while he absorbs its juice. When buying it, you have to choose it ripe, that is, with the soft pulp, and if possible, a variety that has no seeds.
The melon
It contains slightly less water than watermelon, but anyway its 80 percent water is considerable, also becoming one of the most refreshing fruits.
It provides few calories and highlights its content in minerals such as potassium and magnesium. It is a source of vitamin C and beta-carotene (in greater quantity in orange pulp melons), both antioxidants that are involved in the improvement of the body's defense system, the formation of collagen, bones and teeth.
Its vitamin C content makes it an excellent alternative for children who do not tolerate citrus.
When and how to offer the baby melon
Melon can be introduced into the baby's diet from 6 months. However, as with watermelon, being fruits too sweet should not be abused so as not to accustom the baby to too sweet flavors from the beginning of the feeding.
The melon can be taken the same as watermelon, in slices or pieces leaving the baby to absorb the juice or in the form of juices, smoothies or soft drinks, alone or in combination with other fruits.
The Peach
It is a fruit of intense flavor and satiety, but that nonetheless provides few carbohydrates and calories. Thanks to the fiber and its slight acidity, the peach (or peach) has laxative properties, which is why it is indicated in cases of constipation in children.
Among the minerals, potassium stands out and we can also highlight, like the rest of the orange fruits, its beta-carotene content, an antioxidant that keeps free radicals at bay reducing the risk of disease.
When and how to offer the baby peach
The peach is in the list of the most allergenic foods, due to the skin fluff, so it is recommended to introduce it in the diet from 12 months, even some pediatricians advise delaying it up to 18 months.
The peach and its variants such as the Paraguayan or the nectarine, since it will be offered after 12 months, can already be offered to the baby cut into small pieces. Of course, also in the form of juice or smoothie.
Other summer fruits in infant feeding
- Apricot
Apricot (or apricot) also contains a high amount of water, few carbohydrates and calories. Stresses its contribution of potassium, with diuretic properties and its beta-carotene content.
Fresh ripe apricots are rich in tannins, substances with astringent, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is recommended for delicate stomachs and people with heavy digestions.
In addition, it provides minerals involved in the formation of red blood cells.
For the same reason that the peach, because of the skin fluff that can cause allergies, it is recommended to introduce it into the baby's diet from 12 months, even some advise at 18 months.
- The plum
Fresh plum is a fruit of great laxative power thanks to its high fiber content and other components such as sorbitol that improves intestinal transit and substances that stimulate the activity of the muscles of the colon.
It contains vitamin A essential for vision, good condition of the skin, hair, mucous membranes, bones and for the proper functioning of the immune system. It has antioxidant and antiseptic properties. It also favors the respiratory system and because of its iron content it is suitable to prevent and fight anemia.
It can be introduced in the diet of children from 6 months, either crushed, in pieces or in juice.
- Grapes
The grape is one of the fruits with greater detoxifying power. It is rich in sugars and vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B6.
They favor the good state of the arteries and the heart, have a laxative effect and thanks to the sugars and carbohydrates they contain constitute a source of natural energy.
Can be taken from 6 months of the baby, but without skin or pips, only the pulp.
- The cherry
Cherry is a fruit rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, in potassium and to a lesser extent in magnesium and calcium.
It has detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. It is laxative, diuretic and helps fight anemia.
It contains flavonoids and ellagic acid, two powerful antioxidants and antiseptics.
There is no contraindication to start offering cherries from 6 months, previously chopped and boneless. In some cases it is recommended to delay its introduction until 9 months or even until the year. It is preferable to consult with the pediatrician before.
- Strawberry
They are an excellent source of vitamin C, present in strawberries in greater proportion than in citrus fruits. They have bactericidal, antioxidant properties and their fiber content makes them natural laxatives as they activate intestinal function.
It contains vitamins A, C, Bl and B2, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
It is part of the so-called red fruits, whose consumption is not recommended for babies under one year.
Strawberry can produce allergic reactions so it is advisable to offer it from 12 monthsThere are even those who recommend waiting until 18 months.
Photos | viralbus, Vic Lic, total Aldo. In Babies and more | Fruits in infant feeding, Summer fruits: characteristics and recommendations
