Strawberries contain a high dose of vitamin C. They also contain a high amount of plant phenols containing strong antioxidant properties. This nutrient-packed fruit id a great addition to your baby’s diet. Learning how to make strawberry puree can be beneficial to your child’s overall health.
When your little one is about eight months or so, you can introduce these delicious treats—strawberries. Babies love the bright red color and sweet flavor. And as a parent, you’ll be pleased to feed your baby some strawberries since they’re a great source of fiber and antioxidants. It’s also an excellent source of Vitamin C.
How to Make a Strawberry Puree for Babies
When your baby is ready for finger foods, you can prepare small pieces of ripe and soft strawberries for them to eat. But if your baby prefers traditional spoon-fed food, you can quickly whip up a batch of strawberry puree using fresh or frozen strawberries. Here are the easy steps on how to make strawberry puree:
Select the strawberries
A sweet treat for babies at least eight months old, how to make strawberry puree is pretty easy. Make a luscious strawberry puree using fresh or frozen berries. You can buy fresh in the summer and frozen ones for the rest of the year for high-quality, affordable strawberries. Ripe strawberries have an even brighter red color without any green or white markings. When buying fresh strawberries, always avoid ones with nicks, bruises, and other blemishes. Since strawberries have a high pesticide residue, it would be ideal to buy organic instead. Six whole strawberries make about four ounces of puree.
Wash and cut the strawberries into pieces
Wash the strawberries with three parts water and one part white vinegar to remove any bacteria. Rinse with cool running water and let dry. Remove the stems and slice each one in half, lengthwise, then into quarters.
Steam the strawberries
If you bought ripe strawberries, then skip this step and move on to the next. If you’re serving strawberries that aren’t fully ripe or are frozen, place them in a steamer first and cook for about three minutes. Drain the strawberries and rinse with cold water for another three minutes in a colander to stop the cooking process.
Puree the strawberries
When learning how to make strawberry puree, use a blender or food processor until you get the consistency you prefer. Add water as needed.
For a chunkier strawberry puree, which is best for babies ten months or older, simply mash the strawberries using a masher instead of pureeing with a blender.
Serve the strawberry puree
For ripe strawberries, serve puree the plain. If you want to introduce your baby to different textures and flavors or make the most from more tart strawberries, mix the puree with sweeter fruit, oatmeal, or full-fat yogurt. Try mixing your strawberry puree with:
- Applesauce
- Peach
- Pear
- Banana
- Full-fat Greek yogurt
- Baby oatmeal
- Chicken
Freeze any leftovers
Cool down strawberry puree and refrigerate leftovers in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in your refrigerator and serve the next day.
Note: Check with your pediatrician before introducing your baby to a new food, especially if your baby has any food allergies. Some pediatricians do not recommend making carrot, beet, or spinach puree because these fresh veggies have higher nitrate contents.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Parents always want the best for their child; especially, when they are very young. Strawberries are one of the best food options for your kids with many benefits to offer.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C must be obtained from external sources since our body cannot process it on its own. Strawberries contain a high dose of Vitamin C, which helps build your child’s immunity and in fighting eye diseases.
Calcium and Phosphorus: Calcium is essential for bone development in a child. It also supports the functions of the heart, muscles, and nerves. On the other hand, phosphorous can improve digestion, help repair cells, break down protein, and regulate the chemical reactions that transpire in your body.
Protects the Liver: Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which can lower oxidative stress and prevent liver damage.
Folate: Folic acid is imperative for the brain development of your child. It also aids in the generation of red blood cells in the body.
Risks to Consider
Some risks need to be considered when feeding strawberries to a baby which are as follows:
Choking: Strawberries are delicious and have soft and slippery skin. So often, kids swallow it down without chewing. It may cause choking. Thus, you have to warn them to slowly chew the strawberry, or you can slice it before eating.
Allergic Reactions: Your child may be allergic to strawberries, and you might have to consider the possibility of this before feeding. Some families have a history of food allergies or asthma. In such cases, it is better to consult your doctor before giving it to your child. Signs of strawberry allergy in babies can be, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat. Rashes on the skin due to contact with strawberry should also be treated with care.
Conclusion
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy fruit you can add to your baby’s diet to ensure he or she gets all the nutrients he needs while growing. Introducing this amazing fruit to your baby is pretty easy- just learn how to make a strawberry puree. It is guaranteed to be an enjoyable snack your little ones can munch on. Find out more about baby food.