Babies go through multiple baby food stages. If you have a baby in the weaning stage and wish to introduce new flavors and foods to them, you could try cherry purees for babies. Cherries contain a high amount of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidantiSubstances that may prevent or slow down some types of the cell damage caused due to harmful molecules called free radicals. . Thus, they are good for developing your baby’s immune system and act as a nutritious baby food.
However, you cannot risk giving whole cherries to your baby as they might be a choking hazard. Thus, you could add them to your little one’s diet by making them purees.
Read on to know about the procedure of making cherry puree and its benefits for your little one.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cherries For Baby?
As with any new food that you introduce to your baby, it is important to first speak to your baby’s doctor before introducing cherries too. You can start giving your baby cherries from around the age of eight months, once your doctor gives the go ahead.
Cherries are little delicious fruits and extremely sweet. They are loaded with calcium, and even one cup of cherries contains about 20 mg of calcium! Cherries are loaded with powerful antioxidants like cyanidiniWater-soluble organic compounds that impart red, orange, and blue colors to fruits and flowers. and anthocyaninsiDeep red, blue, and purple pigments found in plants. that offer various health benefits. Sweet cherries are also high on vitamin C, carotenoidsiColored pigments found in plant-based foods that act as a precursor in the synthesis of vitamin A and protect cells from damage. and fiber, all of which can prevent cancer in later years. Cherries contain melatonin which aids in good sleep. Eating cherries also lowers the risk of stroke and other heart related ailments in later years.
Nutritional Chart For Cherries
Here is a quick look at the infant nutrition chart for cherries:
How To Make Cherry Puree For Baby
Here are a few recipe ideas to help you make cherry puree for your baby:
1. Simple Cherry Puree:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- ½ pound cherries
- 1 cup of water
How To:
- Pit the cherries and remove their stems.
- Place them in a pan and cover with the water.
- Let it boil and then simmer for another 10 to 20 minutes till the cherries are tender. Let it cool and blend in a food processor.
2. Cherry And Apple Puree:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- 1 cup cherries
- 3 medium peeled and diced apples
- A dash of vanilla essence – optional
- 1 cup of water
How To:
- Pit the cherries and remove the stems.
- Place the fruits in a pan and cover them with water. If you are using the vanilla essence, add a few drops of it in the pan now.
- Let it boil. Once done, steam it gently and cook more till the cherries turn tender.
- Once it is cool, puree in a blender.
3. Cherry Puree With Oatmeal:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- 1 ½ cup of cooked oatmeal cereal
- 1/4th cup of cherry puree
How To:
- Mix the oatmeal cereal and the cherries together.
- Stir them thoroughly or blend in a food processor. Voila, and you have your baby food blend all ready.
Quick tip4. Cherry Puree With Banana:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- 1/4th cup of cherry puree
- 2 small bananas
How To:
- Place the bananas in a bowl and mash them properly using the back of a spoon.
- Add the cherry puree and mix it well. You can mix them well using a spoon or do it in a blender.
5. Cherry Puree With A Dash Of Cottage Cheese:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- ½ cup fresh cherries – make sure you wash them well and remove the stems
- 1 cup of cottage cheese
How To:
- Place the cherries in a microwave safe bowl and heat them for about 30 seconds. Add them in a food processor and blend till they have the texture of smoothies.
- Add the pureed cherries over cottage cheese and serve to your baby.
- As a variation, you can also serve the cherry puree on cheese slices.
6. Cherry Puree With Sweet Potato:
Image: Shutterstock
You Need:
- 1/4thcup of cherry puree
- 1 small peeled and diced sweet potato
How To:
- Steam the sweet potatoes till they are entirely tender. Alternatively, you can also bake them in the oven for about 60 minutes.
- Mash the sweet potato and mix with the cherry puree.
Quick tipFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prepare cherries for my baby?
Cut preserved and de-stemmed cherries thoroughly before adding them to soft meals like yogurt, cottage cheese, oats, or chia seed custard. For a finer consistency, you may also mash the minced cherries. You can also let your baby eat the finely diced and mashed cherries.
2. Can cherries cause diarrhea in babies?
There are no scientific studies that prove cherries cause diarrhea. However, it is advised that you may feed your baby cherries to relieve constipation (1). Make sure you do not overfeed cherries to your baby, as they may affect them adversely.
3. Can babies be allergic to cherries?
Not much information is available to tell you if your baby could be allergic to cherries. Although, a few studies advise that if your child has a latex allergy, then cherries should be avoided (2). Consult a pediatrician if you see any allergy symptoms after feeding cherries to your baby.
4. Are cherries constipating for babies?
Not many studies say whether cherries can cause constipation in babies or not. These fruits may help in relieving constipation as they may make the stool loose (1). You may consult a doctor if you see any signs of constipation after giving cherries to your baby.
5. What precautions should I take before giving cherry puree to my baby?
When introducing cherry puree to your baby, we recommend waiting until they are at least 6 months old and have started solid foods. Ensure the cherries are fully ripe, thoroughly washed, and pitted. Remove the pits completely, as they may pose a choking hazard. Cook the cherries until soft and puree them to a smooth consistency to prevent choking. Start with a small amount mixed with familiar foods to check for allergic reactions. Moreover, avoid adding sugar or other sweeteners. If using canned cherries, choose options without added sugars or preservatives.
Cherry purees for babies can provide them with a lot of beta-carotene that boosts the immune system. Giving whole cherries can cause digestive problems, and seeds have a possible choking hazard for young children. Homemade fruit purees for babies like cherry puree are easy to prepare and safe for babies. They act as natural and organic baby food. You may boil the cherries and make puree after they cool down. You can give cherry puree food alone or with apple puree, oatmeal, banana, or sweet mashed potato. You may initially give smaller amounts of cherry puree to look for allergies and later mix it with other ingredients that the baby is already eating.
Infographic: Flavourful Cherry Purees Foods For Babies
A weaning baby requires nutrients from food sources along with breast milk. Cherries are sweet and sour fruits with several nutrients that can help provide adequate nourishment to your baby. The infographic below provides ideas on including cherries in your baby’s diet.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Cherries can be safely consumed by babies around eight months of age.
- Cherries are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, carotenoids, and fiber that aid in growth, development, and improving cardiac health.
- The antioxidants cyanidin and anthocyanins found in cherries can help reduce oxidative stress and cell damage in the body.
- Pureed cherries can be added to the baby’s diet along with a combination of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Illustration: Tasty Ways To Introduce Cherry Puree For Baby
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Cherries are packed with amazing health benefits! Learn about the 13 amazing health benefits of cherries you need to know through this informative video!
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