In the summer, every mother thinks about treating her baby with fresh tasty berries, for example, healthy blueberries. But in order for such a berry to bring only benefit to the baby, it is worth learning more about its properties, the optimal time of introduction into complementary foods, the features of cooking for children and other nuances.
Benefit
- Blueberries are a source of many vitamins (B1, PP, E, C, B2, A) and minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, manganese), therefore it is recommended for the prevention of seasonal hypovitaminosis and anemia.
- Ripe berries are rich in tannins and organic acids, as well as natural antioxidants.
- Blueberries have antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, so such a berry is in demand for colds and inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract.
- Eating blueberries improves brain function, protects the child's body from viral infections and lowers blood glucose levels.
- Blueberries help with food poisoning by attacking harmful bacteria.
- Fresh berries are indicated for constipation, and dried ones will help get rid of diarrhea.
- A decoction of blueberries is useful for dysbiosis, as it maintains a normal microflora.
- Blueberries can be a tasty prevention of obesity, diabetes and diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as cancer.
- Due to the presence of anthocyanins in blueberries, its fruits improve vision, affecting blood circulation in the retina and visual acuity. Such berries are especially useful for children with myopia or high loads on the organ of vision.
- Blueberries have a diuretic effect and are therefore indicated for kidney inflammation or kidney stones.
- Blueberries rarely cause allergic reactions.
You can find out more about the beneficial properties of blueberries by watching the program "Living Healthy".
Minuses
- Blueberries are contraindicated in children with diseases of the pancreas, as well as in pathologies of the biliary tract.
- Dried blueberries should not be eaten if you are constipated.
- Blueberry intolerance is rare.
- The berry is contraindicated in the detection of oxalates in urine.
At what age can you introduce into complementary foods?
Babies under one year old can taste blueberries for the first time at 7 months of age, provided there are no problems with stool.
How to give?
Blueberries are introduced into the children's diet in grated form (they are added to fruit puree), as well as in the form of juices. Whole berries can be treated to kids over a year old, allowing them to eat from 1/2 to a whole glass per day. Children over 3 years old can eat 1 to 2 glasses of blueberries per day, if such berries are well tolerated.
Blueberries are also often added to yoghurts, cottage cheese, pies, desserts, jelly and other dishes.
How to make blueberry puree?
The berries need to be sorted out and washed under running water, then pour boiling water over the blueberries. Scalded berries for grinding are placed in a blender or grind through a sieve. For the first samples of blueberry puree, sugar is not added to the product.
What is Blueberry Forte?
This is the name of a dietary supplement, the main component of which is blueberry extract. It is supplemented with zinc and vitamins, therefore it is recommended as a general tonic. The supplement is prescribed for babies over 3 years old, but most often it is in demand for schoolchildren experiencing prolonged stress on vision. The drug is able to protect the eyes of children from high loads and accelerate recovery in inflammatory eye diseases.
Tips for choosing
Buy evenly colored whole berries for your child, the surface of which is even and dry.
Blueberries should be firm, sweet in taste and odorless. If the berries are pink or pale, they are harvested too early and not yet ripe.
Storage
Fresh blueberries should be stored in a refrigerator in an open container for no more than 5-7 days.
How to prepare for the winter?
To preserve the berries for a longer time, blueberries can be ground with the addition of the same amount of sugar. Such a product is placed in a jar with a lid and kept in the refrigerator. If you cook it for 5-10 minutes, then some of the vitamins will be lost, but the product can be stored all winter.
In addition, blueberries can be dried and frozen. If drying is planned, the berries are laid out in the sun for 2-3 hours, and then placed in an electric dryer or oven. These dried blueberries can be stored for up to two years. For freezing, the berries are not washed, but only cleaned of leaves and debris. Blueberries can be stored frozen for up to one year.
What to do if you have an allergy?
If an allergic reaction to the first samples of blueberries is detected, the berry should be immediately excluded from the diet. You can try giving blueberries again after a few months. If the allergy is severe, the child should be shown to the pediatrician for appropriate treatment.
Find out if your child's weight is normal using the following calculator.
