The tropical fruits they are those that occur naturally in tropical or subtropical climate zones, although by extension, warm temperatures and high humidity are applied to fruits that need development.
They are increasingly consumed and are very common in infant feeding. The main tropical fruits that children consume are bananas, occupying a place of honor, then pineapple, kiwi, coconut, avocado and less frequent but increasingly mango and papaya. We will talk about Banana, pineapple, kiwi and other tropical fruits in infant feeding.
The banana
Together with the apple and pear, the banana, being easily digestible, is one of the first fruits offered to the baby when it begins with complementary feeding.
It is one of the fruits that provide more calories (85.2 per 100 grams) due to its high carbohydrate content, but this does not mean that the banana fattens, a widespread belief about this fruit. It is precisely because of its great energy contribution that it is ideal for feeding children.
It is also an important source of potassium, necessary to promote muscle activity and the good state of the nervous system. Other nutrients it contains are magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C and provitamin A.
It is indicated to combat cases of incompetence in children due to its satiating effect and its high calorie intake.
When and how to offer the baby banana
As I said before, the banana is one of the first fruits offered to the baby when the complementary feeding begins, from six months.
The banana is offered to the native baby, without cooking. It must be ripe but not past and to prepare the mash we can crush it or step on it with the fork or if we prefer a finer puree to pass it through the crusher, having previously removed the shell and threads. Just in case it causes an allergic reaction, it should be offered a few times alone and separately and then it can already be mixed with other fruits such as apple, pear or orange.
Banana is an ideal fruit for the baby to experience the texture of food. We can give it in small crushed pieces between our fingers or hold the banana and he will undo it. This way of discovering food is very beneficial for the baby, but we must be controlling it at all times to avoid drowning.
Pineapple
Pineapple (or pineapple) is a very refreshing fruit. It contains 85% water, carbohydrates, vitamin C, folic acid and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iodine.
Like banana, it has a high potassium content, and despite its very sweet taste it does not have an excessive caloric intake. Its contribution in fiber causes a mild laxative effect improving constipation in babies.
It also contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps digest proteins, making it ideal as a dessert to facilitate digestion.
When and how to offer the baby pineapple
You can enter from 6 months. The pineapple we will give the baby must be ripe. We must peel it very well by removing all the shell and any rest of it that could be left in the fleshy part. Once the hardest parts of the pineapple are removed, it can be crushed as is, natural, or cut into pieces that the baby can suck, but not too small to avoid drowning (again watching at all times).
Another option is to cook it in boiling water or prepare a compote but without adding sugar; The pineapple is already quite tasty. And of course, in the form of juice, although in small quantities. Always better whole fruit.
The curiosity of the pineapple is that we can combine it with some white meats such as chicken or pork and also with vegetables such as carrots.
The Kiwi
Kiwi has a moderate amount of calories, a high amount of water and is rich in vitamins and minerals. But what stands out most about this fruit is its vitamin C content, more than double that of an orange. This vitamin is involved in the formation of collagen, bones and teeth, red blood cells and promotes the absorption of iron from food and resistance to infections.
It is also very rich in potassium, in proportions similar to those of bananas, and in folic acid, a vitamin that helps in the formation of antibodies favoring the immune system. Its fiber, soluble and insoluble, makes it a fruit with great laxative power, also indicated for cases of constipation, a fairly common disorder in children.
It also contains propeolytic acid, which promotes blood circulation and actidine, an enzyme that helps digest proteins.
When and how to offer the baby kiwi
With the kiwi you can also enter from six months, always controlling any type of reaction after consumption.
It is a fruit that is also offered naturally, either crushed or in pieces (not too small to avoid drowning). Older children can also be spooned.
Other tropical fruits
Coconut
The caloric value of coconut is the highest of all fruits. Its main component is water and then fat, being very rich in fatty acids very beneficial for health. It contains minerals that are involved in bone mineralization and its important contribution in fiber makes it an excellent regulator of intestinal transit as it acts as a laxative.
About the age of introduction of coconut in infant feeding there is no precise information because it is not a fruit of high consumption, but like any other can be offered from six months, although it is too hard to eat it as is. Grated on a recipe can be offered.
Avocado
Like coconut, fats are the main component of avocado after water, but with the difference that they are monounsaturated fats, making it a very rich food in linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid-omega3). It is rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
The introduction of avocado in the diet of babies is recommended, as a rule from six months for being a potentially allergenic food.
Mango
It also has a high content of water, carbohydrates and fiber and is moderate in calories. It has carotenoids that are transformed into vitamins A and C, acting as antioxidants capable of neutralizing free radicals and increasing the body's defenses.
Like papaya, pineapple and kiwi, mango contains enzymes capable of digesting proteins and purifying the body.
Mango can be introduced into the baby's diet from 6 months, but for having a taste too sweet there are those who recommend delaying it a little and offering other fruits before so that the baby does not get used to this type of flavors.
Papaya
It also contains carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins A and C that act as antioxidants. Thanks to papain, a proteolytic top, it has great digestive properties, facilitating digestion and relieving intestinal inflammation.
It also highlights its contribution in minerals such as potassium, necessary for the transmission and generation of nerve impulse and for muscle activity.
Like mango, papaya can be offered from 6 months, although it is preferable to offer other less sweet fruits first.
Photos | Pixabay In Babies and more | Fruits in infant feeding, Complementary feeding: fruit
