Fruits provide essential nutrients for health and development. In the case of children, pay attention to the recommendations of the World Health Organization which recommends feeding babies under 6 months only with breast milk. Once this period has passed, the baby can start drinking his first fruit juices.

The baby’s body is not ready to digest all food properly. Therefore, introduce new foods slowly so that your child has time to get used to them. This way, your baby will not only have a more varied diet, but he will also be able to benefit from the nutrients from it, little by little.

The assimilation process

Fruits provide the baby with vitamins. Likewise, they provide minerals, amino acids, fiber, good quality calories and carbohydrates such as: glucose, sucrose and fructose. And since they also contain a large percentage of water, they help with hydration.

You should take into account that some negative reactions may occur when adjusting to new foods. Usually, these are transient allergies that you don’t need to worry about. Still, it’s best to see a pediatrician to make sure this is something normal.

Tips for giving fruit juice to infants

Giving fruit to infants in liquid form, in a milkshake or in juice allows its taste to adapt to new flavors and textures. Here are some tips to consider before giving your baby juice:

Regarding the choice of fruits

• Prepare juice from just one fruit at a time. Then, leave an interval of several days minimum before giving it another fruit.
• You can give him apple, pear, orange, tangerine, plum or grape juice first. Avoid juices from forest fruits or tropical fruits, as they have too strong a flavor for babies.
• Choose fruits that are seasonal and ripe, as they are easier for the baby to digest.

Regarding the preparation

• The juices must be natural. Industrially prepared juices which contain preservatives and chemical additives should be avoided. Although convenient for parents, these juices are not beneficial for children.
• Don’t sugar. So your baby will be able to enjoy the original flavor of the fruit.
• Prepare the juice without water or try to add as little as possible. So your child will be able to benefit from all the properties of the fruit to the maximum.

• Wash the accessories well to avoid contamination of the fruit juice with germs or possible allergens. Of course, everything you need to make this juice should be washed thoroughly.

Regarding consumption

• Give the juice to the baby with a spoon, as the bottle tends to clog.
• Carefully observe the baby’s reaction, as there is a possibility of intolerance, allergy, diarrhea, etc.
• Once the fruit juice is ready, it is best to consume it immediately to prevent it from oxidizing.
• Start with small amounts of fruit that you can gradually increase until your baby is familiar with the flavor of the fruit you give him.

Four fruit juices for children

1. For infants

Ingredients

• One serving of apple, pear, plum, grape, peach, orange or tangerine.

Preparation

• Peel and wash the chosen fruit. Remove any seeds or the pit.

• Blend the fruit with an electric mixer (avoid using water as much as possible). Citrus fruits are simply squeezed manually or using a juicer.
• Filter to remove any seeds that may have remained. Do not remove all of the pulp, as it is important to learn how to consume it too.

2. For children 12 months and older

Ingredients

• A cup of water.
• Half a small ripe papaya.
• 1 drop of vanilla essence.

Preparation

1. Peel and wash the papaya.
2. Remove the seeds.
3. Mix in the electric mixer.
4. Add the vanilla.
5. Mix.

3. For children from 3 years old

Ingredients

• 4 ice cubes.
• 1 ripe mango.
• 1 Greek yogurt without sugar.
• A quarter of powdered cardamom.

Preparation

• Peel, wash and remove the kernel from the mango.
• Cut the fruit then mix it with the yogurt, cardamom and ice cubes in the blender.

• To serve.

4. For children 24 months and older

Ingredients

• Half a ripe papaya.
• 1 ripe banana.
• 4 ice cubes.
• Half a ripe pineapple.

Preparation

• Cut the fruit after peeling, washing and removing the seeds.
• Mixer.
• Add the ice cubes.

Some considerations

The body needs nutrients in quantities proportional to the size and age of the child in order to be able to develop properly and be healthy. Therefore, if we incorporate these juices regularly into the baby’s diet, we provide a good part of his nutritional needs.

In addition, as he grows up, he will become an adult who loves fruit and seeks to consume it, which is a great habit in life.