Summer arrives and with it the heat, thirst and the need to eat fresh and refreshing things. In this definition they fit perfectly summer fruits, which by their characteristics are a very good food option for children.
Because of their amount of water (around 85-90%) they remove thirst, provide mineral salts that help replenish those eliminated by sweat, contain sugars that provide energy and vitamins and protective factors for children.
Summer fruits are also nutritious a claim for children, as they tend to have a more striking color and a somewhat sweeter taste than those of another season.
Let's see what these fruits are, what characteristics they have and when can they start taking them our children:
- Cantaloupe: It is a fruit rich in potassium (more than banana) so it is a good remineralizer. 90% of the melon is water and provides 33 Kcal per 100 grams. It is rich in vitamins A, B and C.
The melon can begin to be offered to children at six months, although due to its flavor sweet Other fruits could be offered so as not to accustom them to the sweet taste.
It provides 16 Kcal per 100 grams and despite its sweet taste the sugar content is low.
You can start offering children from six months, but for the same sweet taste as melon (although a little less) and for being practically water, other fruits would be recommended at those ages.
90.7% of the peach is water, so it is also part of the most refreshing, and provides 27 Kcal per 100 grams.
The fruit itself can be offered to children from six months, however the skin is quite allergenic. How to peel the fruit without touching the skin is practically impossible is recommended Do not offer the peach until 12 months.
90.5% of strawberries are water and provide 27 Kcal per 100 grams.
The strawberry is part of the so-called "red fruits", which release histamine. This means that it can produce allergic reactions so it can begin to be offered at 12 months (and better if it is done even at 18 months).
Cranberry juice, very appetizing, keeps the characteristics of the fruit intact.
Cranberry is a wild fruit that, like strawberry, releases histamine. For this reason it can begin to be offered at 12 months (although better at 18).
It has a water content of 86% and provides 42 Kcal per 100 grams.
Being a cousin-brother of the peach, the apricot has the same problem with respect to the skin. Therefore it is better not to give it to babies until they reach 12 months.
It is a red fruit that at an allergenic level has similar risks to those of strawberries. They can start offering babies from 12 months (although it is better to wait at 18). Containing salicylic acid are not recommended for aspirin allergy sufferers.
Its water content is 86.2% and provides 38 Kcal per 100 grams.
It is not one of the most allergenic fruits and is familiar with plums, which can be eaten at six months. For this reason there is no contraindication in offering them to babies from six months (previously boneless and chopped, of course).
Once reviewed summer fruits, it only remains to take a little imagination to prepare them in a curious and appetizing way. It may be useful for this to take a look at some recipes that we have already published in Babies and more like melon soda or watermelon gazpacho.
In the case of babies from six months of age, cutting them into small pieces and allowing them to take them to their mouths by taking them from the plate will allow them to combine learning and nutrition. We must take into account, in any case, that the amount of fruit for children under one year should not be very high, because the caloric intake of the fruit is low compared to milk and other foods.
