The goodness of apples for baby:
“An Apple a Day” as the old saying goes is indeed good for your health. Apples are truly a wonder fruit and they may be one on your baby’s first foods.
One of the most important nutritional components of Apples is that they contain two types of fiber; insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin, help maintain bowel regularity (thus helping to prevent diverticulosis and colon cancer). The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), helps keep the bowels regular (avoiding constipation, avoiding diarrhea) and specifically affects the makeup of the stool. Pectin will firm up the stool as it is a soluble fiber.
While the study of apples’ health benefits is still in very early stages, research to date suggests that apples and apple nutrients may play a role in promoting human health in a number of ways. Apples may help maintain good healthy by promoting cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol and inhibiting LDL oxidation, and reducing the risk of certain types of stroke; maintaining a healthy weight, as part of a low-fat, fiber-rich diet; promoting lung health, by countering the effects of oxidative damage; promoting prostate, liver and colon health, by inhibiting the growth of related cancer tumors; and promoting bone health, by providing a good source of the dietary mineral boron.
Do apples need to be peeled for babies and homemade baby food recipes?
Always peel apples that you will be serving raw as finger foods until you feel your toddler is able to handle the peels.
The following applies to apples that you will be cooking and mashing or pureeing: Apples should be peeled for babies under 8 months of age to ensure that there are no tummy upsets. Your baby should do fine with apple skins after 8 months of age. Of course there are many babies who do fine with apples that have the skin on, so please use your own judgement.
Nutrients in apples (one medium apple)
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| VITAMINS: Vitamin A – 73 IUVitamin C – 9 mg
Folate (important during pregnancy) – 4 mcg
Vitamin E – .66 IU
| MINERALS: Potassium – 158 mgCalcium – 9.5 mg
Phosphorus – 9.5 mg
Magnesium – 7 mg
Selenium – .4 mg
Also contains small amounts of iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
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When can I introduce Apples to my baby?
Apples are a great choice for one of an infant’s first food. They are easy to prepare, easy to digest and are full of nutrients. Apples are also very versatile and may be added to almost any baby recipe you find. You can mix apples with cereals, veggie purees, with meat purees and use them in teething biscuit recipes, in healthy cake recipes, in yogurt and mixed with other fruits also.
image: http://cdn3-www.wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/assets/uploads/2015/04/appleicon.gif
Apples are also great when frozen, added to a Baby Safe Feeder and used as a teething reliever. Applesauce is a great substitute for oil in many baked goods recipes.How to select the perfect apples for baby food recipes
According to the EWG, apples are one of the “dirty dozen” foods that are most highly contaminated with pesticides – purchasing organic is a smart choice.
Select apples that are firm and have no squishy indentations. Apple skin should not be discolored (uneven coloring is the hallmark of many apples so do not mistake discoloration for normal coloring) or have cuts and bruises.
Store apples in the refrigerator and only cut them when you are ready to cook or otherwise use them.
The best way to cook apples for baby food recipes
Apples are most flavorful and tasty when they are baked. You may also steam apples to retain the most of their nutrients. Boiling apples in a scant amount of water is another way to cook apples. Apples are very juicy and will seem to “boil down” as you are steaming or boiling them. This is great because you will probably not need to add any water to make baby’s applesauce. Add some spices as they are cooking for extra tasty-yum.
Apple baby food recipes
Puréed Apples/Applesauce for babies 4-6 months
image: http://cdn2-www.wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/assets/uploads/2015/04/46.jpg
Ingredients:
- Any amount of apples you desire – I recommend using 5-10 large apples (try Macintosh, Gala or Braeburn.)
Directions:
Step 1: Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
Step 2: Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
Step 3: Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir.
That’s it! Easy peasy.
Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree consistency, then follow steps 4 – 7:
Step 4: Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
Step 5: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing
Step 6: Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
Step 7: Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the puree
Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new flavors.
HINT: You may also buy an “Adult” jar of natural applesauce from your local grocers. Make sure you buy natural applesauce however. Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water, or just apples. A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their natural applesauce; this is fine.