Including Fruits In Your Baby's Diet - The Right Way To Do It

The importance of fruits and how it should be included in a baby’s diet is a popular discussion among many mothers today. While some contend that it is best to give it as a fruit itself, others feel giving fruit as fruit juice is good. Still others feel that fruit juice is best avoided as it rots the teeth and creates a craving for sweets in future.

Most mothers may be confused if they should give fruit or fruit juice to your babies, how much sugars fruit juices contain, how often kids should be drinking juice and which juices are the most nutritious. I got hold of few experts’ opinions to help understand better the role of fruit juices and fruits in a baby’s diet.

The most ideal age to start fruit juice is 6 months old of age; dilute 1 part of fruit juice in 10 parts of water. Fruit juice is very healthy as it contains minerals and vitamins like Vitamin C, potassium and folate. As a general rule 1 small glass of 100% fruit juice substitutes for about 5 portions of fruit and vegetable; as a general rule only 10% of boys and 7% of girls aged 11-18 reach this limit.

Fruit juice is best given to babies with a meal of fortified cereals, lentils,  some beans and spinach; being rich in Vitamin C, fruit juice aids in the better absorption of iron from these sources and aids in the supply of healthy blood. Iron is found to be deficient in 46% of the girls between 11 and 18.

Some mothers doubt if they should give fruit juice to their babies as it contains added sugar that is bad for the teeth. Experts are of the opinion that babies should be given 100% pure unsweetened juices that only contain naturally occurring sugars in fruit and dried fruit. Taken in moderation with the help of a straw helps reduce dental decay; do not forget to encourage your babies to brush their teeth at least twice a day and have regular dental check-ups.

Talking of nutrition orange and other citrus fruits juices are richer in nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and potassium. Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system, skin and gums, while Vitamin B helps reduce tiredness and fatigue and potassium helps in normal functioning of the muscle function and nervous system and in maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

Drinking of fruit juice does not necessarily lead to weight gain; weight gain is caused by an intake of more calories than what is expended. A small glass of 100% fruit juice gives 60-80 calories; overweight or obesity can be avoided by consuming it in moderation and as part of a varied and balanced diet.

Some mothers many be confused between the terms not-from-concentrate juice and juice made from concentrate; juice from concentrate has water removed where the fruit is harvested and processed and is added back later, while juice not from concentrate has a better flavor.

Lastly it is best to include fruit in a baby’s diet in the place of fruit juice as it contains more fiber in addition to vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Encourage your children to eat a variety of fruits and juices as different fruits and vegetables contain different vitamins and minerals and would form a part of a balanced diet.