Apricots are known for their amazing taste. They resemble peaches and plums when fresh. These fruits can be either consumed fresh or dried. Apricots are a rich source of beta-carotene, fibre and vitamin C, and has other health benefits too. But is this wonder fruit good for babies? Find out here…
Apricots can be a great finger food or can be given as a puree when a baby crosses the 6-month mark. However, if one wishes to, you can introduce apricot to your baby from as early as 4 months, but before you do so remember to consult a paediatrician.
The fruit is fragrant, juicy when ripe and full of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
Nutritive value of 100 grams of fresh apricot:
Calories | 48 |
Carbohydrates | 11 g |
Protein | 1.4 g |
Fibre | 2 g |
Fat | 0.4 g |
Vitamin A | 180 ug |
Vitamin B6 | 0.054 mg |
Vitamin C | 10 mg |
Vitamin E | 0.089 mg |
Vitamin K | 3.3 ug |
Calcium | 13 mg |
Iron | 0.39 mg |
Magnesium | 10 mg |
Phosphorus | 23 mg |
Potassium | 259 mg |
Sodium | 1 mg |
Zinc | 0.20 mg |
Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1827/2
Nutritive value of 100 gram dried Apricot
Calories | 241 |
Carbohydrates | 63 g |
Protein | 3.4 g |
Fibre | 7 grams |
Fat | 0.5 g |
Vitamin A | 180 microgram |
Vitamin B6 | 0.143 mg |
Folate (B9) | 10 microgram |
Vitamin C | 1 mg |
Vitamin E | 4.33 mg |
Vitamin K | 3.1 microgram |
Calcium | 55 mg |
Iron | 2.66 mg |
Magnesium | 32 mg |
Phosphorus | 71 mg |
Potassium | 1162 mg |
Sodium | 10 mg |
Zinc | 0.29 mg |
Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1838/2
Benefits of Apricots for Your Baby
Listed below are some amazing health benefits of this wonder fruit.
Apricots are loaded with Vitamin A, hence they help in enhancing the vision of a baby. Giving apricots to your baby will also boost his immunity and shield him from cold, cough, and sickness.
Giving apricots to a baby can provide him relief from constipation. The dietary fibre present in the fruit helps in bowel movement. Giving six to eight portions of this fruit to a baby can provide him relief from constipation.
Apricots help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol making your baby’s heart healthy. Moreover, the potassium content in apricots helps balance the electrolyte levels in the body thereby keeping the heart muscles in order.
Apricots are a rich source of Vitamin A, which helps in destroying the eggs of the intestinal worms. Vitamin C present in this fruit also makes the body immune and provides resistance to fight all kinds of parasitic infection. Moreover, the fibre present in the fruit helps in eliminating the worms along with the waste through easy bowel movement.
Apricots contain a good amount of magnesium and potassium; these minerals help in the overall brain development of babies.
Apricots have anti-inflammatory properties which help in curing fever and skin problems in babies. Mix apricot juice with water and add a teaspoon of honey to it, stir nicely and give it to the baby to cure fever, cold, cough, and skin rash.
Since apricot oil is anti-inflammatory and has expectorant qualities, it can prevent and even cure respiratory disorders like asthma in children. All you need to do is massage your child with the oil.
Note these points before you buy apricots for your baby.
Here are a few tips to store apricots:
There is no real need to peel an apricot before giving it to your baby as a finger food or even making a puree of it. The peel of the fruit is velvety in texture and absolutely edible. However, if you do not want your baby to eat the fruit with the outer cover, you can peel it. The easiest way is to put the fruit in boiling water for some time and then dip it in ice water. This procedure will loosen the peel and help it to come off easily.
Baking apricots are one way to cook them. You need to cut apricots into two halves, remove the seed and keep the cut side down in a baking dish filled with about 1 inch of water. Bake at a temperature of 400°F until the fruit becomes soft.
The other way is by steaming the apricots or putting the fruits in boiling water for a few minutes. After taking the apricots out from the water, run them under cold water and the skin of the fruit easily gets peeled. You can either cut them lengthwise and give your baby as a finger food or mash it up roughly and feed her using a spoon.
Apricot allergy is rare but it does happen. In case your baby is allergic to apricots, the tongue, lips, face or throat swells up and there may also be a tingling sensation in the mouth. Some children may also suffer severe respiratory problem called anaphylaxis.
In case your baby has birch pollen allergy, eating apricots may cause oral allergy syndrome. Even babies who have had apricots without any problem earlier can suddenly suffer symptoms like itching and irritation of the mouth and throat. However, the symptoms usually subside on its own in most cases in this kind of allergy. In few, the symptoms may persist and aggravate to something severe as anaphylaxis.
We may also come across some children who may suffer from colic after eating apricots. However, this is not because of an apricot allergy, it is a sign of intolerance to apricots. It only means that your baby is unable to digest apricots.
Listed below are some precautions that you should take before introducing an apricot into your baby’s diet.
If you are wondering how to make baby food with Apricots, here are some simple recipes you can try.
Dried apricots are loaded with antioxidants, nutrients, and minerals and when apples are mixed with it, it makes for a wholesome meal.
Appropriate for Age
6 months and above
Ingredients
How to Make
Puree made of fresh apricots and bananas is extremely nutritious and babies will love it.
Appropriate for Age Group
6 months and above
Ingredients
How to Make
Mango and apricot blended together with coconut milk make for a delicious and nutritious smoothie.
Appropriate for Age Group
8 months and above
Ingredients
How to Make it
Apricots are one of the best and most nutritious “first weaning foods” for babies. They are also a superb finger food which may be given to babies from the 6thmonth mark. However, precaution should be taken before introducing the fruit to a baby since some may be allergic to it and some may be intolerant towards the fruit.