Some babies and toddlers really love tomatoes like mine little one is just crazy about tomatoes. She loved tomatoes more than any fruit, and want them everytime I enter the kitchen, that time I was wondering, is it really safe to give her tomatoes? Will it cause some allergy to her and many more questions in mind like all parents have. Since for babies every mom is extra careful, and we have to, as babies are so small and delicate.
During that time I tried to find my answers and came to know about the amazing goodness it offers to kids health and just wanted to share it with all the parents who has similar questions in their minds about tomatoes before giving them to kids.
Is tomato safe for babies ?
The answer is 'Yes'. It's absolutely safe for babies to have tomatoes. Tomatoes generally don't cause any allergic reactions but to be on safer side check for any rashes in your baby's skin when you start giving them. You can start by giving them small portions intially to check for any allergy, afterward you can increase the portion gradually.
When tomatoes should be introduced to babies :
The right age for introduction of tomatoes to babies is 8-10 months.
At this age it can be introduced as soup made with ripe tomatoes by deseeding them or tomtoes can be boiled by chopping it into big pieces and then mashing it, add little salt and butter to it and your baby will love it.
They can also be mixed with other veggies like boiled and mashed potaoes, carrots, beans and any vegetable that can be given to babies at this tender age. Also you can mix them in their khichdi (boiled rice and dal, soft mixture) and can have many variations in dishes and taste that you make for babies as tomato goes well with almost all the dishes.
Why tomatoes are good for babies :
Tomatoes are considered as one of the super food as they offer innumerable health benefits since they are power house of all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidents which help in proper and healthy development of babies.
1. Good source of vitamin A :
The colour of tomatoes i,e. red and orange is associated with alpha and beta carotenoids which form vitamin A which is essential for healthy development of eyes. Since babies are developing fast, their body needs various nutrients for healthy growth.
2. Powerhouse of antioxidents :
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxident which help in fighting against cancer causing free radicles. Also it has many other anti-oxidents like vitaminC which counteract with free radicals in the body and nuetralize them. Since babies have higher metabolism rate as compared to adults, high metabolism increases free radicals in the body which are neutralised by the antioxidents.
3. Makes immune system strong :
Tomatoes are helpful in increasing the immunity in babies to fight against various diseases. Higher the immunity, lesser the chance of your baby falling ill. Tomatoes are full of vitamin A, C and K and minerals like poatssium and iron. Vitamin K help in clotting of blood , vitamin C is antioxident and help in fighting free radicle in the body. Potassium help in maintaining nerve health and iron help in maintaining good blood health. Since tomatoes are full of vitamins and minerals, they strengthen babies immune system to fight with various diseases.
4. For healthy and strong bones :
Tomatoes are good source of calcium which is needed for healthy development of bones in babies. Babies have weaker bones which needs to be strengthen over time by giving them sufficient supply of calcium in their diet. Milk is also a good source of calcium but some kids are fussy about it, for such kids tomatoes is a good option for calcium supply in their diet.
5. Reduces the risk of lead toxicity in kids :
The presence of vitamin C in tomatoes reduces the risk of lead toxicity. In developed countries like USA and UK, the lead exposure in household is literally removed from their household products, but we can't say about the exposure from unusual source.
Also in many developing countries it is not eradicated fully from vrious products, so one should be careful for the lead toxicity exposure to kids. Be careful before giving anything to kids.
What precautions should be to be taken while giving tomatoes to babies :
Its better to have best quality organic tomatoes which are red or orange in colour and firm should be given to kids. One should be careful while choosing tomatoes, there should not be any soft spot or some crack or hole in it, they should be firm.
Tomatoes should be stored in the fridge dry, there should not be any moisture around them. Also don't give tomatoes chilled straight from the fridge to your kids, they may get cold and cough. Keep them outside or in water till they attain normal room temperature and then give it your kids.
Always wash the tomatoes thoroughlly with water to remove any dirt, dust or presence of any chemical on tomatoes. Its best to buy organic ones from the market.
For small babies, the outer skin should be removed by boiling tomatoes for some time in water and then peeling the outer skin . Also they should be deseeded and mashed before giving it to babies.
For elder kids above 2 year it can be given as raw by chopping it or mixing or cooking in any dish your kid loves.
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