When you have a growing baby in your home, the most critical thing that bothers you is the diet. You may be flooded with a number of suggestions from your near and dear ones. Regarding the diet for babies, there are debates on the pros and cons of many foods. Brinjal of eggplant for babies is one of them.
Eggplants are full of nutrition, vitamins, folate, and fiber. All these items are essential for your baby’s growth and development. Eggplant basically falls in the category of berry and is usually round or slender in shape. In India, it is consumed as a vegetable and found in purple-black color. This article will share the benefits of eggplants for babies, the nutritional value, health benefits, some precautions while giving it to your baby, and some fantastic recipes for brinjal.
In This Article
- Is Eggplant Safe For Babies?
- Nutritional Value of Eggplant
- Amazing Top 4 Health Benefits of Eggplant For Babies
- Precautions to Take While Introducing Eggplant to Babies
- Are There Any Side Effects of Eggplant For Babies?
- Top 3 Healthy and Tasty Eggplant Recipes For Babies
- FAQ’s
Is Eggplant Safe For Babies?
Eggplant is considered a safe food for babies. This vegetable is available in every corner of India and comes at an affordable price. Brinjals contain a high amount of vitamin B6- an essential element for your baby’s growth. They are rich in fiber and help in improving digestion and regulating bowel movement. There are other health benefits that make this vegetable ideal for babies, and it is completely safe.
Please keep in mind to introduce eggplants to your baby after you start giving solid foods to the kid (which is usually at around six or months months of age). Some eggplants are bitter, which may upset your baby’s stomach lining. It is preferred to feed them in puree form.
Nutritional Value of Eggplant
Eggplants are loaded with different nutrients, including vitamins, folate, micronutrients, fibre, and phytochemicals. Here is the list of nutritional values that one cup of eggplant can provide.
| Nutrients | Value |
| Water | 88.8g |
| Energy | 34.6Kcal |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.64g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.48g |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.9mg |
| Potassium, K | 122mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.119mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.112mg |
| Folate, total | 13.9µg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 36.6IU |
| Vitamin K | 2.87µg |
Amazing Top 4 Health Benefits of Eggplant For Babies
Though eggplant is not famous as baby food, it has some amazing health benefits for babies.
1. Rich in Nutrients
Eggplant is a rich resource of nutrients. It has a notable amount of dietary folate, niacin, thiamine vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which are vital for the proper growth and development of babies.
2. Loaded With Antioxidants
Eggplant is a rich source of antioxidants that help keep your baby healthy. These antioxidants play a major role in keeping illnesses at bay due to their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. They also maintain your heart and brain health and functioning.
3. Prevents Constipation
Babies often suffer from irregular bowel movements, which can cause a problem in the future. Eggplants are rich in dietary fibre, promoting regular bowel movement and preventing constipation. This is also beneficial for improved digestion.
4. Improves Satiety
Eggplants are low in calories but high in fibre, making them a perfect food for Satiety. If your baby is hungry, a small amount of eggplant can fill their stomach for a longer time.
Precautions to Take While Introducing Eggplant to Babies
As you introduce eggplants to your baby, you need to take some precautions.
- Feed it in the form of puree or mash after removing the skin and seeds. Initially, introduce it after boiling or steaming.
- Notice whether this food is creating any uneasy conditions in your baby or not. If you find something wrong, stop feeding eggplant.
- Initially, start with a small quantity and feed with a spoon. If it suits your child, increase the quantity gradually.
- Check for any allergic reaction. Though it is rare, there is a possibility. The allergic reaction may start immediately after consumption or even a few hours later.
- Once they are ready to eat finger foods, give them the sliced form of baked eggplant once they are ready to eat finger foods to avoid choking.
[Read : Finger Food For Babies: Everything You Must Know]
Are There Any Side Effects of Eggplant For Babies?
While eggplants are a very healthy vegetable to add to your baby’s diet, excessive consumption, as with any vegetable, can cause certain side effects.
- As eggplant belongs to the nightshade vegetable family, this may also cause an allergic reaction in some babies. Looks for reactions such as itching, and redness. hives, rashes, and such other symptoms. If you observe them, immediately stop giving eggplant to your baby.
- When consumed in excess, the oxalates present in this vegetable can cause stones in the kidney.
- Nasunin, a phytochemical present in eggplant, can bind with iron and remove it from body cells resulting in anemia. Again, this happens only with excess consumption. Giving this vegetable in moderate quantities is safe.
Top 3 Healthy and Tasty Eggplant Recipes For Babies
Eggplants can be prepared in many ways, and with little techniques can help prepare amazing recipes. You can bake, grill, barbecue, roast, or sauté it. As eggplant is rich in fibre, any preparation provides a good amount of this dietary item which is healthy for your baby. Eggplants are easy to prepare and take less time.
Here are some amazing recipes for eggplant that your baby would like to have.
1. Eggplant Puree
Boil the eggplant pieces well until they turn soft and mussy. You can also bake the eggplant after cutting it in half. Blend the boiled or baked eggplant to make it a smooth puree. You can add cinnamon powder for added flavor. If required, add some water to make it a thin slurry.
2. Cheese With Eggplant
Baked eggplant is an excellent carrier for cheese. For babies who have celebrated their first birthday, baked eggplant with a sprinkle of cheese and herbal is an excellent option. You can serve it with a side of homemade tomato sauce for added flavor.
3. Eggplant Veggie Medley
You can add baked or steamed seasonal vegetables like carrot, beans, and sweet potato, to eggplant which will create a nutritional bowl of goodness for your growing champ. Top with herbs of choice for the extra kick of taste.
Eggplant for babies is an excellent vegetable and powerhouse of nutrition. More importantly, it is pocket friendly and available in all seasons. But you must keep in mind that there are some side effects and allergic reactions to this vegetable. It is recommended to start feeding eggplant after you introduce solid foods to your little champ.
[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]
FAQ’s
1. Can a Baby be Allergic to Eggplant?
Eggplant has some side effects and allergic reactions. The chance of side effects is rare, but there is a possibility.
2. Do You Peel Eggplant For Baby Food?
It is recommended to peel the eggplant before preparing the recipe for your baby. The skin of the eggplant is not easy to consume and, therefore, may create uneasiness in your baby.
3. When Can I Start Feeding Eggplant to My Baby?
After introducing solid foods to your kid, you can start feeding eggplant. It is better to introduce it after eight months of age.
Read Also: Ash Gourd For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions
