Babies go through multiple baby food stages. If you have a baby in the weaning stage and wish to introduce new flavors and foods to them, you could try cherry purees for babies. Cherries contain a high amount of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidantiXSubstances that may prevent or slow down some types of the cell damage caused due to harmful molecules called free radicals.. Thus, they are good for developing your baby’s immune system and act as a nutritious baby food.
However, you cannot risk giving whole cherries to your baby as they might be a choking hazard. Thus, you could add them to your little one’s diet by making them purees.
Read on to know about the procedure of making cherry puree and its benefits for your little one.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cherries For Baby?
As with any new food that you introduce to your baby, it is important to first speak to your baby’s doctor before introducing cherries too. You can start giving your baby cherries from around the age of eight months, once your doctor gives the go ahead.
Cherries are little delicious fruits and extremely sweet. They are loaded with calcium, and even one cup of cherries contains about 20 mg of calcium! Cherries are loaded with powerful antioxidants like cyanidiniXWater-soluble organic compounds that impart red, orange, and blue colors to fruits and flowers. and anthocyaninsiXDeep red, blue, and purple pigments found in plants.that offer various health benefits. Sweet cherries are also high on vitamin C, carotenoidsiXColored pigments found in plant-based foods that act as a precursor in the synthesis of vitamin A and protect cells from damage.and fiber, all of which can prevent cancer in later years. Cherries contain melatonin which aids in good sleep. Eating cherries also lowers the risk of stroke and other heart related ailments in later years.
Nutritional Chart For Cherries
Here is a quick look at the infant nutrition chart for cherries:
How To Make Cherry Puree For Baby
Here are a few recipe ideas to help you make cherry puree for your baby:
1. Simple Cherry Puree:
You Need:
- ½ pound cherries
- 1 cup of water
How To:
- Pit the cherries and remove their stems.
- Place them in a pan and cover with the water.
- Let it boil and then simmer for another 10 to 20 minutes till the cherries are tender. Let it cool and blend in a food processor.
2. Cherry And Apple Puree:
You Need:
- 1 cup cherries
- 3 medium peeled and diced apples
- A dash of vanilla essence – optional
- 1 cup of water
How To:
- Pit the cherries and remove the stems.
- Place the fruits in a pan and cover them with water. If you are using the vanilla essence, add a few drops of it in the pan now.
- Let it boil. Once done, steam it gently and cook more till the cherries turn tender.
- Once it is cool, puree in a blender.
3. Cherry Puree With Oatmeal:
You Need:
- 1 ½ cup of cooked oatmeal cereal
- 1/4th cup of cherry puree
How To:
- Mix the oatmeal cereal and the cherries together.
- Stir them thoroughly or blend in a food processor. Voila, and you have your baby food blend all ready.
4. Cherry Puree With Banana:
You Need:
- 1/4th cup of cherry puree
- 2 small bananas
How To:
- Place the bananas in a bowl and mash them properly using the back of a spoon.
- Add the cherry puree and mix it well. You can mix them well using a spoon or do it in a blender.
5. Cherry Puree With A Dash Of Cottage Cheese:
You Need:
- ½ cup fresh cherries – make sure you wash them well and remove the stems
- 1 cup of cottage cheese
How To:
- Place the cherries in a microwave safe bowl and heat them for about 30 seconds. Add them in a food processor and blend till they have the texture of smoothies.
- Add the pureed cherries over cottage cheese and serve to your baby.
- As a variation, you can also serve the cherry puree on cheese slices.
6. Cherry Puree With Sweet Potato:
You Need:
- 1/4thcup of cherry puree
- 1 small peeled and diced sweet potato
How To:
- Steam the sweet potatoes till they are entirely tender. Alternatively, you can also bake them in the oven for about 60 minutes.
- Mash the sweet potato and mix with the cherry puree.
Cherry purees for babies can provide them with a lot of beta-carotene that boosts the immune system. Giving whole cherries can cause digestive problems, and seeds have a possible choking hazard for young children. Homemade baby food like cherry puree is easy to prepare and safe for babies. They act as natural and organic baby food. You may boil the cherries and make puree after they cool down. You can give cherry puree food alone or with apple puree, oatmeal, banana, or sweet mashed potato. You may initially give smaller amounts of cherry puree to look for allergies and later mix it with other ingredients that the baby is already eating.
Key Pointers
- Cherries can be safely consumed by babies around eight months of age.
- Cherries are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, carotenoids, and fiber that aid in growth, development, and improving cardiac health.
- The antioxidants cyanidin and anthocyanins found in cherries can help reduce oxidative stress and cell damage in the body.
- Pureed cherries can be added to the baby’s diet along with a combination of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Cherries are packed with amazing health benefits! Learn about the 13 amazing health benefits of cherries you need to know through this informative video!
