After talking about two of the most consumed fruits, apple and pear, we will talk about the orange and the tangerine , the citrus fruits that babies most commonly eat.
Lemon, lime and grapefruit also belong to this group but because of their acid taste these fruits, with exceptions, do not usually like babies.
Thanks to its high vitamin C content, citrus fruits they intervene in the formation of collagen, bones and teeth, red blood cells, favor the absorption of iron from food and increase the defenses against infections. It is believed that vitamin C acts as a protective shield against colds, however there are investigations that spoil this theory.
Its consumption is more beneficial in winter and in seasonal changes when highs and lows in the children's defense system usually occur and are more vulnerable to colds and infections.
Citrus fruits can be included in the baby's diet, as a generality, from six months of age. However, being potentially allergenic there are pediatricians who recommend delay them until the year of age if there is a history of atopy in the family or if it is observed that it causes discomfort in the baby such as burning, reflux, colic, gas or acid feces.
After the first year, children should consume two pieces of fruit and one of them should be citrus.
Orange in infant feeding
As for its nutritional characteristics, its low calorie intake, its high water content, vitamin C, folic acid, mineral salts such as potassium (in high amounts), magnesium, iron, phosphorus and calcium, beneficial for physical and mental balance, stand out , and beta-carotene, provitamin with antioxidant properties.
It is an important fsource of vitamin C, essential for the health of the body because it favors the absorption of other vitamins and minerals. In addition, being an antioxidant prevents cardiovascular and degenerative diseases.
Provitamin A (beta-carotene) is involved in the good state of vision, skin, hair, mucous membranes, bones and functioning of the immune system.
Orange also contains soluble fiber, the largest amount under the skin and between the segments, so consumed whole or in juice but with pulp is indicated to improve constipation in children.
There are different types of oranges, but we can classify them in sweet oranges, known as table oranges, and acid oranges, usually used for desserts and jams.
For children, it is better to avoid acidic varieties because they can cause gastric disorders. Opting for the sweetest.
Among the sweet oranges we find four large groups: navel (sugary and ideal for children because it does not contain nuggets, the most popular is the Washington navel), white oranges, blood oranges (ideal for juices) and sucreñas.
Mandarin in infant feeding
Tangerine contains 88% water, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene and antioxidants. Although the tangerine provides less vitamin C than orange, its contribution is high and is an excellent fruit to offer children. Because of its ease to peel and eat it with your hands it is ideal for the little ones.
It acts by stimulating the antibody formation and the activity of phagocytes (cells that phagocyte foreign particles such as bacteria or microbes), so it has an important anti-infective action.
It is the fruit that contains more carotenoids, with a great antioxidant power. It acts against free radicals protecting the body from cardiovascular, degenerative diseases and cancer.
It helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, as its vitamin C content favors the absorption of iron from other foods. It is depurative and thanks to its high fiber content it is recommended in case of constipation. It is diuretic helping to eliminate toxins from the body and its folic acid content intervenes in the processes of cell multiplication.
Tangerines are classified into four large groups: satsumas, clementines, clemenvillas and hybrids. The most suitable for children are those with a sweet taste, the ones that bring less seeds and peel more easily, such as clementines and within this group the Fina.
How to prepare oranges and tangerines
The most common way children take orange and tangerine is natural.
Crushed alone or in combination with other fruits will be offered during the first months, although they should be introduced alone for two or three days to verify that they do not cause an allergic reaction.
They can also be offered in segments without seeds (but do not see how the clothes fit) and controlling the baby at all times to avoid drowning with the skin of the segments.
He orange or tangerine juice It is a classic for babies because it is healthy and refreshing, but it must be given in moderation because they can have consequences on the health of the baby. It is recommended to give it in a spoon instead of a bottle, because when there is a prolonged exposure of the teeth to liquids that contain carbohydrates, what is known as bottle caries occurs.
It should be consumed as soon as they are squeezed to avoid losing their nutritional value.
Neither crushed nor in juice should sugar be added. Newly from 18 months Citrus fruits can be offered in the form of jams, in desserts, in the form of creams or mousse.
A good option for summer is the smoothies. You can also prepare orange or tangerine juice, put it in molds in the freezer and turn it into sorbets.
Photos | skedonk, vmiramontes, shaferlens on Flickr
In Babies and more | Fruits in infant feeding, Fruits in infant feeding: apple and pear
