There is just about everything you need for a healthy diet present in nature for us. That’s the beauty of nature’s bounty. But that doesn’t mean that anything and everything is good for us. After all, there have to be pros & cons of everything right? What about spinach? Is spinach for babies a good choice?
Well, when it comes to babies, there certainly are many things that parents want to consider before experimenting, or shall we say introducing? Today, we shall discuss one such nature’s gift and that is – Spinach. Yes! It’s the favorite veggie of moms and the least favorite for the kids. But is it really good? How much is good? When can you give it to your baby? Health benefits and quick recipes, we shall cover it all. So let’s begin and find out 8 amazing health benefits of spinach for babies.
In This Article
- Is Spinach Good For Babies?
- Nutritional Value of Spinach
- 8 Amazing Health Benefits of Spinach For Babies
- When Can You Give Spinach to Your Infant?
- How to Select and Store Spinach For Babies?
- Tasty Spinach Combinations
- Precautions While Giving Spinach to Babies
- Can Spinach Cause Allergic Reaction in Babies?
- FAQ’s
Is Spinach Good For Babies?
Spinach is one of the most popular vegetables across the globe, mainly because of its health benefits, not only for grownups but also for kids and babies. Spinach serves as a high source of essential minerals and vitamins that make the body strong internally by improving organ functionalities.
Nutritional Value of Spinach
Here is the table of nutritional value of Spinach
| Nutrients | Unit Value Per 100Gm |
| Energy | 23 Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g |
| Natural Sugars | 0.4 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g |
| Protein | 2.9 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g |
| Calcium | 99 mg |
| Iron | 2.71 mg |
| Magnesium | 79 mg |
| Phosphorus | 49 mg |
| Potassium | 558 mg |
| Sodium | 79 mg |
| Manganese | 0.897 mg |
| Copper | 0.130 mg |
| Zinc | 0.53 mg |
| Selenium | 1µg |
| Vitamin C | 28 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.078 mg |
| Vitamin A | 469 µg |
| Vitamin E | 2 mg |
| Vitamin K | 483 µg |
91% of spinach in water. Its nutritional profile goes as follow:
- Spinach is rich in many vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K,
- It is rich in minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.
- Spinach contains high amounts of nitrates.
- Spinach has a considerable amount of folate.
- Most of the carbs in spinach consist of fiber, which is incredibly healthy.
- Spinach is high in insoluble fiber.
- Spinach boasts many plant compounds, such as lutein, kaempferol, nitrates, quercetin, and zeaxanthin.
8 Amazing Health Benefits of Spinach For Babies
Some of the major health benefits of spinach include:
1. It Provides Minerals
One of the biggest reasons to introduce spinach in your baby’s diet is that spinach will provide the most essential minerals to your little one’s body and help in growth and development. A rich source of iron, potassium, and calcium, spinach is highly useful in hemoglobin production and brain development.
2. Supplies, Vitamins
Apart from essential minerals, spinach also provides a good amount of vitamins to your baby’s body. These include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, thiamin, folate, etc. All these vitamins together improve immunity and maintain a strong and healthy body.
3. Acts as a Natural Laxative
With ample amounts of dietary fiber, this leafy vegetable is often used as a natural laxative and helps in keeping the digestive system on track. This can be a blessing for babies who often get constipated. Spinach absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool, helping in an easy bowel movement that can do wonders for a constipated baby who will just not know what to do other than cry all day!
4. Antimicrobial Properties
Spinach contains good amounts of antimicrobial elements which help in treating urinary infections that are very common in babies
5. Treats Gastric Disorders
As your baby’s stomach and intestines are not fully matured, they can often get gastric issues. This can cause a lot of discomfort and uneasiness to small kids. Offering your baby spinach in such times can be helpful.
6. Protects Liver:
Even though the liver is one of the strongest organs in the body, it can get subjected to infections too. Spinach has shown positive results in liver protection
7. Can Kill Intestinal Worms
Parasitic worms can often develop in the delicate and sensitive stomach linings and intestines of babies. However, regular intake of spinach ensures the removal of intestinal pests and worms that feed off the intestines and often makes babies weak and sick
[Read: Worm Infection In Children]
8. Aids in Hydration
Spinach is naturally rich in water as 90% of it is water so it keeps your baby well hydrated
When Can You Give Spinach to Your Infant?
As soon as your baby completes 6 months, you are ready to introduce solids and semi-solids. But wait for your baby to turn at least 8 months before you introduce spinach to their diet. A lot of pediatricians say it is ok to introduce spinach in 6-7 months.
However, spinach is an oxalate and nitrate food. Therefore, it is better to give spinach to your baby in moderation until 8 months and then introduce it completely once your baby is 12 months old. You can give it to your baby in puree form initially and then in combination with other vegetables later on. But do consult with your pediatrician before introducing spinach to your baby.
Spinach puree is an easy way to introduce spinach for babies. This is great food for babies. It can be customized to suit your baby’s needs. Cut and cook the spinach. Cool the same and blend it to the desired consistency. You can mix this puree with blended carrots, potatoes, etc.
How to Select and Store Spinach For Babies?
Here are some tips to help you buy and store spinach for babies:
- Always buy spinach that has a thin, tender stem as they are considered fresh and easily digestible for babies.
- Avoid spinach with yellow and dry leaves.
- Go for the spinach that has crisp leaves.
- Do not freeze the spinach. Always remember to keep it in the refrigerator and not the freezer.
- Make sure the stored spinach is tightly sealed and there is no room for air to enter.
- You can make use of a ziplock to store the spinach.
Tasty Spinach Combination
Here is some yummy combinations of spinach that your baby would love:
1. Spinach and Cream Cheese
Serve cooked spinach with cream cheese. Cream cheese acts as a tasty dip for spinach.
2. Spinach and Parmesan Cheese
This leafy vegetable will taste great when sprinkled with olive oil, crushed garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
3. Spinach and Vegetable Soup
Boiled and chopped spinach can be used as a garnish in vegetable soups. This is an extremely tasty and healthy combination for babies.
[Read : Vegetable Soup for Babies]
Precautions While Giving Spinach to Babies
A few precautions while introducing spinach to babies:
- Always the leaves should be green, firm, and without any tears or darkening
- Always make sure the leaves are thoroughly cleaned before cooking or adding it any dish to avoid any contaminations
- Always prefer steaming over boiling. This is because boiling the vegetables often leads to loss of essential vitamins and minerals due to evaporation. Steaming, on the other hand, preserves nutrients.
It is recommended that you give spinach to your baby in moderation since overdoing things can lead to stomach complications as well. We need to realize that babies have a delicate digestive system
Can Spinach Cause Allergic Reaction in Babies?
Few babies are allergic to spinach. Here are the signs to look for that help you detect if your baby is allergic to spinach:
- Small, itchy rashes on the skin.
- Baby experiencing diarrhea after consumption of spinach.
- Struggling to breathe and shortness of breath.
There is a lot to experiment with when it comes to baby food. The sky’s the limit, literally! What really matters here is that a highly nutritious vegetable like spinach should not be missed during the growing years of your baby as it will aid in their overall development.
[Read : When Can I Give Paneer And Cheese To My Baby?]
FAQ’s
1. Can I Introduce Spinach to My 7 Month, Old Baby?
You can once your pediatrician approves. Many people wait till the babies are about 8 months old to start giving them spinach. While some start at 6 months itself.
2. Can Be Giving too Much of Spinach be Dangerous For My Child?
Too much of any food item can be unsafe for a baby. Babies have delicate digestive systems. They cannot digest too much of anything and can be irritated easily.
3. Can Spinach Cause Any Allergies in My Child?
If the spinach is not fresh or washed well, it can lead to food poisoning. Spinach is high in histamine. If your baby is allergic to this, they may not be able to digest spinach well.
4. Why Does My Baby Vomit After Eating Spinach?
Babies have very sensitive digestive systems. They may not be able to digest all foods. Also, contaminated spinach can give your child a stomach bug.
Read Also: Is Cabbage Safe For Babies? Health Benefits & Recipes
