Blueberries for babies can be an ideal solid food choice to start weaning. Packed with lots of nutrition, blueberries make for a delicious treat for your little ones. After strawberries, blueberries are the next popular choice of berries that are a good source of fiber and vitamins. So if you are thinking of introducing blueberries to your baby, read on to learn more about their nutritional benefits. We have also shared some tasty blueberry recipes that your infant may enjoy.
Blueberries – The Superfood
The blueberries are a significant source of micronutrients such as magnesium, zinc and vitamins A, E, K, and B-complex. The plant is grown in the soil with an acidic pH, which also reflects in the fruit that contains high amounts of ascorbic acid or vitamin C. The fruit is also rich in nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a complete package thus referred as a ‘Superfood’.
Are Blueberries Good For Babies?
Yes, they are good for babies. There is a common thumb rule adopted by most moms, which is ‘no berries till 12 months’. That is true for strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry that belong to the rose family. These contain allergens that can cause eczema and upset digestion in babies. But blueberry belongs to a different cohort in the plant kingdom that is unrelated to strawberries and thus is safe to feed. In fact, natural blueberry flavoring is found in several baby foods, which is indicative of the fact they are suitable for infants. In case your baby is prone to allergies in general then be watchful for any symptoms of blueberry allergy, and consult your pediatrician before introducing the fruit to the diet.
When Can Babies Eat Blueberries?
Babies can eat blueberries from the eighth month. However, if your baby develops a taste for solid food by the sixth month, you may consider introducing blueberries earlier. In that case, you have to be extra careful in checking for any symptoms of potential allergy. For younger babies, feed blueberries as puree and for older ones of nine months and above you can try some finger-foods.
Nutritional Value And Health Benefits Of Blueberry For Babies
Key Nutrients In Blueberry Nutrients per 100gm of Blueberry (1):
Carbohydrate 14.49 gm Fiber 2.4 gm Protein 0.74 gm Natural Sugars 9.96 gm Minerals Potassium 77 mg Phosphorus 12 mg Calcium 6 mg Magnesium 6 mg Vitamins Vitamin E 0.57 mg Vitamin C 9.7 mg Vitamin B3 0.418 mg Vitamin K 19.3 µg
A mere 50gm of blueberry can have 3mg of calcium and 3mg of magnesium, which is great for the development of your baby’s bones. Here are some more health benefits of blueberry:
1. Keeps blood pressure under control:
A bowl of 100gm of blueberries contains as much as 77mg of potassium, a micronutrient essential for maintaining ideal blood pressure even in babies.
2. Regulates blood circulation:
Experiments have shown that blueberries can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries by reduction of cholesterol (2). Babies have a developing circulatory system and thus the inclusion of blueberries in their diet can aid in healthy blood vessel development.
3. Supports bone growth:
Vitamin K in the fruit helps in the synthesis of osteocalcin, a bone protein, which helps in keeping bones strong and healthy. The presence of vitamin K along with calcium and magnesium makes blueberries a great fruit for bones.
4. Good for a healthy heart:
Blueberries are rich in polyphenols and fiber that are clinically proven to boost cardiovascular health (3). It thus provides a healthy heart or cardioprotective nutrients for your baby.
5. Cognitive development:
Thanks to the mix of the various beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, blueberries help in keeping the nervous system healthy. They slow the weakening of mental capacity and help in general cognitive well-being (4).
6. Antioxidants control free radicals:
According to the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA), blueberries have the richest antioxidant concentration in the world of fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants help control free radicals that can cause aging-related issues.
7. Helps fight cancer:
Antioxidants also prevent the buildup of malignant cells, which in turn may lead to cancer.
8. Relief from eye fatigue:
A study in Japan has found that the fruit eases eye fatigue. Also, the anthocyanin in the blue pigment of the fruit improves eyesight. After knowing the nutritional values and health benefits of blueberries, you wouldn’t want to waste any time in feeding them to your baby. However, do not introduce more than one new food at a time as it will be difficult to deal with allergies, if any.
Blueberry Allergy In Babies
Unlike other berries, blueberries are not allergens but may elicit an allergic reaction in the baby if introduced earlier than the sixth month. Blueberry allergy can result in swollen eyelids and lips. The baby may also have itchy, swollen rashes and in some cases an upset stomach. You may consider holding back the fruit if your baby:
Just suffered a bout of eczema
Has a history of chronic allergic reactions to new food
Has a sensitive digestive system
Has been clinically diagnosed with food allergy
You should not see any adverse reaction if you introduce blueberry with finger foods after the tenth month. Also, parents often fear that blueberries would lead to constipation.
How To Choose And Store Blueberries For Babies?
Select: Blueberries are susceptible to pesticide contamination that can be harmful to your baby’s health. So, purchase the fruit from a trustworthy source, preferably the one that stocks organic produce. Choose the berries that have a deeper blue color and are firm but not hard to touch. Do not buy the fruits that are dull and watery. Also, they should be able to roll freely; if they do not, then they are not fresh. Store: Store the fruits in a freezer after sealing them in an airtight container. That way you will be able to store them for over two weeks without losing the freshness or flavor of the fruit. If you plan to consume them within a few days, then you can simply put the berries in a bowl, and cover it with cling film. The indigo-coloured pigment in the fruit’s skin acts as a natural preservative. Wash the berries thoroughly before processing them.
Blueberry Baby Food Recipes
With your apprehensions gone, you are all set to introduce Blueberry to the diet of your little one. But how do you do it? Would you mash, coarse or just stew it to a puree? Here are some amazing blueberry baby food recipes, which are delicious and healthy too.
1. Blueberry puree:
You will need: 1 cup of fresh or frozen Blueberries ½ cup water How to: Let the mixture cool down and feed it to your baby one spoon at a time.
2. Apple blueberry sauce:
Your baby may not like the tartness in the taste of a blueberry. You may choose to add apples to them. You will need:
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 2 medium-sized apples
How to:
3. Banana blueberry puree:
Babies naturally love the sweet taste and a banana is a great fruit to tend to their sweet buds. You can combine the goodness of blueberry with the sweet taste of banana to make blueberry banana puree. You will need:
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1 medium-sized apples
How to:
4. Blueberry Peach Rice Mush
You will need:
1 small fully ripe peach 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup Brown rice
How to: In case your baby is 12 months or older it is safe to leave tiny lumps of rice and puree in the mix. Otherwise you can continue diluting with water until you get the desired consistency.
5. Blueberry Tofu Mash:
Tofu is made from coagulated soya milk, and is an excellent source of protein for weaning babies. It is suited for babies that are 11 months and older. Tofu is a non-allergen per se but you can check for any allergies while introducing small quantities in your baby’s diet. You will need:
1/2 cup Blueberry Puree 1/2 packet of Firm Tofu
How to:
6. Blueberry Puree Oatmeal Mix
It is a simple blueberry baby food that is quick to make and requires minimal processing. Just keep in mind that the oatmeal you purchase is plain and does not have any added flavors, salt, sugar or preservatives. You will need:
1/2 cup blueberry puree 1/2 cup of plain unflavoured oatmeal
How to:
7. Blueberry Muffin:
Blueberry muffins can work great for your little one above 11 months of age. You will need:
1 cup fresh blueberries 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup apple sauce 1tsp baking powder 1tsp cinnamon just under 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/4 cup milk
How to: You can crumble the muffins into smaller pieces and mix it with apple sauce or blueberry puree for your baby. If your baby is older than 14 months, then you can break the muffin into smaller pieces and give it to him as finger food.
8. Blueberry Buckle:
The process of making blueberry buckle baby food is quite similar to the blueberry muffin. The ingredients are identical as well. The only difference is that here you pour the batter into a baking pan than in molds. You will need:
2 cups fresh blueberries 3/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 ½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt
How to: You can serve this blueberry baby food by combining it with blueberry puree or apple sauce.
