Breast milk is the best for the babies till they start weaning and nutrition for babies is a topic of thought and the choice is really difficult with umpteen options available for them. It is known to offer them nutrients with the intake of green leafy vegetables as well as fruits. Cranberries are considered to be a wholesome food as the nutrient and antioxidant levels are very high. In case the child is made to have a wholesome diet from the beginning, it becomes easier for the child to instill good habits later in life.
Cranberry has a greater acidic content and that is why it is a reason enough not to offer it as a baby food in the initial days. Babies should be given cranberries in smaller amounts to study the reaction on the baby and then continue if no discomfort is seen from the baby’s end are seen.
These should be offered to the baby in between 8 and 12 months old in order to prevent any sort of acidic reactions. If introduced earlier than this, the baby can develop small red rashes in areas around the mouth as well as the bottom. So one has to be prudent enough, while feeding cranberries.
These foods are densely loaded with nutrients and even have a great Vitamin C content and even have polyphenols which are known to boost the immune system and even help to strengthen it. It even helps in the prevention of cancer as well as cardiac-related issues.
Cranberries have the following nutritional value:
Calories – 46 | Protein- 0.4 g |
Carbs- 12.2 g | Sugar- 4g |
Fiber- 4.6g | Fat- 0.1g |
Omega 3- 0.02g | Omega 6- 0.03 g |
Water- 87% |
It is better to thoroughly check the cranberries before buying them. Presence of dull skin could indicate rotten signs. The fresh and good cranberries bear a deep maroon color, however, a few areas near its top could be of a lighter color as well.
The cranberries should be stored in a refrigerator until they can be used. They can even be frozen for a period of 10 months.
Babies should only be given juices once the baby attains the age of 6 months or above. Prior to that, the baby does not even need water or juice as breast milk or formula carries all the nutrients required by the baby. When you offer cranberry juice to the baby just ensure that the juice has no extra value than giving fresh fruits. Be cautious as an excess of the juice leads to diarrhea or gastrointestinal disorder.
Cranberries are incredibly acidic in nature. Therefore, it’s not recommended for a baby under 8 months as it can potentially bring about some adverse reactions. After this, canned jelly cranberry sauce is perfectly safe for your baby. Although, whole cranberries can still pose a risk. Therefore, always make sure to puree whole berry sauce to a smooth consistency.
The succulent fruit has a plethora of benefits for the baby and they are listed as below:
The cranberries can either be baked or even stewed with certain other foods and should never be given in the raw form particularly to the babies.
Thus, it can be said that cranberries are a phenomenally healthy option for babies and should be a part of the baby’s diet schedule, but care should be taken that it is offered in moderation to avoid any health issues.
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