Is Pumpkin Good for Babies?_hair milos forman
Is pumpkin a good choice for babies? Yes, babies can start enjoying some pumpkin in their diet after six months. Pumpkin is rich in nutrients, and it has high nutritional value, primarily serving as a source of vitamin A. The β-carotene found in pumpkin can be absorbed by the human body and converted into vitamin A. Vitamin A, when combined with proteins, plays a crucial role in vision by forming rhodopsin. Lack of β-carotene can lead to severe consequences such as night blindness or even complete blindness.
Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin E, which helps regulate the secretion of various pituitary hormones and ensures that children maintain a healthy state during growth and development. Tender pumpkin contains higher levels of vitamin C and glucose than mature pumpkin. On the other hand, mature pumpkin is higher in calcium, iron, and carotene content.
Pumpkin can also be used to treat childhood ailments like roundworms, tapeworms, and diabetes. Additionally, it can reduce the risk and mortality rates associated with measles. Pumpkin can be incorporated into the diet in various forms, such as soups, porridge, steamed dishes, stews, or as an ingredient in rice dishes. However, while pumpkin is beneficial, it should not be consumed in excess. It's recommended not to exceed the quantity of a main meal once a day, as excessive consumption can lead to carotene yellowing of the skin.
Precautions for Babies Eating Pumpkin
When a baby consumes excessive amounts of pumpkin, which results in an overabundance of β-carotene intake, β-carotene accumulates in the keratin layer of the epidermis. This causes areas such as the nose, philtrum, forehead, palms, soles, the skin around the eyes, nail beds, around joints, and areas with more skin folds to take on a lemon-yellow hue, making children appear jaundiced. It's advisable to limit pumpkin consumption, reducing the daily intake or consuming it 2-3 times a week, with each serving not exceeding a main meal's quantity.
Preparing Pumpkin for Babies
Pumpkin Millet Porridge
Ingredients: Yellow pumpkin, millet, water.
Instructions:
Prepare the yellow pumpkin by cutting it into chunks and removing the skin. Steam it in a steamer for approximately ten minutes.
Mash the steamed pumpkin into a bowl using a spoon.
Cook the millet into a millet porridge, and serve it.
Mix the mashed pumpkin into the millet porridge, stirring until well combined.
Nutrition Tip:
Babies who have just started with complementary foods have sensitive digestive systems. A serving of pumpkin millet porridge is both sweet and gentle on the stomach.
Pumpkin and Fish Congee
Ingredients: 30g pumpkin, 10g fish, 30g white rice, 1/2 egg, salt, sesame oil.
Instructions:
Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and cut it into small cubes. Finely chop the fish.
Beat the egg and set it aside.
Rinse the white rice slightly. Add the pumpkin cubes, chopped fish, egg, seasoning, and 300ml of boiling water. Stir lightly and steam in a pot until cooked.
