Strawberries For Baby

Their vibrant red color says it all. A strawberry’s bright red hue shows you just how nutrient dense they are! Researchers recently ranked strawberries as the #4 best fruit to eat for antioxidants! With their amazing combination of antioxidants, strawberries help to combat inflammation in the body and ward off pathogens that may make baby sick. The high levels of Vitamin C found in strawberries will help baby’s immune system and the many minerals will help them grow healthy teeth and bones. Strawberries are fantastic when in season, but they also freeze well for nutrient dense snacks year round. Baby will enjoy them raw as finger foods or as a sweet puree for their yogurt or oatmeal!

Highlighted Nutritional Importance of Strawberries

Vitamins

Vitamin A – this vitamin helps protect baby from infections and plays a role in vision and bone growth
Vitamin C – helps to heal small cuts and wounds and helps keep baby’s gums healthy while teething
Thiamin –  this B Vitamin, also known as B1, enables baby to convert carbohydrates into energy
Riboflavin – another B Vitamin, known as B2, promotes growth, good vision and is essential for baby’s nerve development

Minerals

Potassium – this is an electrolyte mineral that is crucial for muscle function and baby’s heart rhythm
Manganese  – a mineral that is essential for growing healthy bones and teeth and helps make collagen for skin health
Magnesium – vital for immune support and helps to maintain muscle and nerve function
Calcium – helps blood clot and helps to activate enzymes that help convert foods we eat into energy

Are Strawberries a High Allergen Food?

Some parents may have heard that strawberries are a potential allergenic food. Strawberries contain allergens that may be problematic for some people and if you or your family has a history of food allergies, you may want to consider waiting until baby is older to introduce them. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods just to be sure!

How to Select and Store Strawberries for Baby Food

According to the EWG, strawberries are on the Dirty Dozen list. This means you should consider buying them organic in order to avoid pesticide exposure.

Strawberries are a delicate fruit. They perish easily and should be eaten within two days in order to preserve the most Vitamin C and polyphenol antioxidants. The strawberries will still be delicious and safe to eat after this two day window, but the longer they are stored, the more nutrients will be lost. Strawberries love humidity and will stay the freshest in the humid environment of your refrigerator’s cold storage bins. When picking strawberries at the grocery store or farmers market, look for those with a rich, vibrant pinkish-red hue without soft spots or cuts.

Preparing strawberries for baby is easy! If you decide to cook them, steaming or baking is a great, delicious option. You may also choose to serve them raw as a finger food or puree. The puree, either cooked or raw, can be a fun and nutritious addition to full-fat yogurt or oatmeal. Yum!

Strawberry Recipes