Kiwi to a child: at what age can it be given, is it beneficial?

Chemical composition and nutritional value of kiwi

The second name of the fruit is Chinese gooseberry. The flesh of a ripe fruit is green or yellowish, the skin is brown, brownish, covered with hard white short hairs resembling lint. The smell is aromatic, with a hint of strawberry, the taste is sweet and sour. Calorie content – ​​47 kcal per 100 g. The chemical composition is dominated by:

• vitamins – choline, ascorbic and nicotinic acid;
• macroelements – potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine;
• microelements – aluminum, boron, iron, copper, strontium;
• pectins.

In addition, the fruit is rich in organic and fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, contains digestible carbohydrates - fructose and sucrose, and fiber.

Useful properties for children

Babies need a large amount of vitamins and microelements that participate in the metabolic process, promote growth and strengthen the immune system. Kiwi will enrich their diet with vitamins A, D, E and almost the entire B group. The slightly sour pulp contains: large amounts of vitamin C, organic acids, flavonoids, antioxidants, pectins, fiber, magnesium and potassium.

The unique composition of kiwi contributes to:

• increasing the body's defenses;
• strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
• prevention of stone formation in the urinary system;
• productive work of the heart muscle;
• relieving emotional tension and irritability;
• normalization of intestinal functions during constipation.

Should you give kiwi to young children?

For children with a high tendency to allergies, Chinese berries pose a high danger.
Therefore, if parents have chosen a product for complementary feeding, they should start with a small portion. You cannot expand the diet if the child has health problems. In this case, it is better to use other fruits, such as apples, to stimulate your appetite.

Beneficial properties for children's bodies

Kiwi improves immunity and has a healing effect:

1. Calms and has a sedative effect.
2. Increases hemoglobin production and strengthens blood vessels.
3. Stimulates the synthesis of happiness hormones - serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphin. The child becomes calmer.
4. Normalizes heart rhythm.
5. Increases the production of digestive enzymes, accelerates intestinal metabolism.
6. Has a mild diuretic effect.

Kiwi improves immunity and has a healing effect.

During the epidemic season, the tropical fruit helps the child avoid colds or endure them without complications. The healing properties are preserved even after gentle heat treatment.

If a baby has constipation or colic, it is useful to introduce kiwi into the mother's diet. This will quickly and effectively solve the problem - no medications will be needed.

Harm and contraindications

The allergenic danger of exotic fruits is higher than that of seasonal fruits that grow in the area where you live.
Therefore, before feeding your child, you should conduct an allergy test - apply a drop to the inside of the elbow. If there is no redness, repeat the tests, but this time lubricate the oral mucosa with juice. If there is no reaction after a day, you can add it to the children's menu.

Contraindications for use:

• decreased blood pressure;
• drowsiness;
• acute and chronic diseases of the urinary system;
• gastrointestinal diseases.

Low blood pressure is a contraindication to consuming kiwi.

You should not arrange a tasting if you have diarrhea or stomatitis. The pulp has a laxative effect, and due to the high amount of fruit acids, a burning sensation will appear.

Development of an allergic reaction

Manifestations of individual intolerance to Chinese gooseberries can be mild or severe.
In the first case, even at the stage of an allergy test, skin irritation, redness, itching and burning appear. The same symptoms may occur with oral ingestion. More severe allergy symptoms:

• facial redness;
• lacrimation and runny nose;
• diarrhea and vomiting.

Children under one year of age may develop anaphylactic shock.

The mucous membrane of the oral cavity and, more dangerously, the larynx swells; Blood pressure decreases, bronchospasm occurs.

For mild allergy symptoms, it is enough to give enterosorbents and antihistamines. If there is swelling of the face and oral mucosa, or shortness of breath appears, indicating a breathing disorder, the child should be picked up, placed in a horizontal position, and an ambulance should be called. It is almost impossible to relieve Quincke's edema at home without special skills. In this case, adults are given an antihistamine sublingually, but children, especially frightened ones, will not be able to keep the tablet under their tongue.

Possible nutrition problems

This fruit is not always healthy for a child. In some situations it can be harmful. Here are the cases in which you should not give your child Chinese gooseberries:

1. If the baby is prone to an allergic reaction, kiwi is dangerous to health and life, because it can cause Quincke's edema and other more severe reactions.
2. The fruit is contraindicated in weakened children with low blood pressure.
3. Kiwi is prohibited for people with high acidity of gastric juice and diseases of the digestive tract.

Important! When Chinese gooseberries are introduced into the diet, a child may experience diarrhea. It is especially dangerous for children under one year of age because it causes dehydration.

Signs of allergies

Manifestations of allergies to this exotic product are similar to symptoms of hypersensitivity to citrus fruits. The main sign that parents cannot help but notice is the appearance of intense red rashes on the skin.

Dangerous! If signs of an allergy appear in the child's neck, swelling of the larynx may occur.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction of a child’s body to kiwi:

• burning and unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• swelling of the tongue and larynx, accompanied by a strong barking cough;
• redness of the oral mucosa;
• very severe itching of the skin (the child can scratch it until it bleeds);
• inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa;
• a disorder of the digestive tract, manifested in the form of nausea or vomiting;
• severe abdominal pain, which makes the child very restless;
• severe sneezing and runny nose;
• severe pain in the head;
• swelling in the lip area.

Allergy to kiwi in children

The likelihood of developing an allergic reaction when kiwi is first introduced into the diet is very high. This is why doctors warn parents against introducing Chinese gooseberries into their diet.

How to choose a good fruit

It is better to buy slightly greenish fruits than overripe ones. To ensure they ripen quickly, it is better to place them in a paper bag with another ethylene-emitting fruit - a green apple or banana. 1-2 days and you can use it.

It is better to buy good fruit when it is greenish.

Kiwi selection criteria:

• dense surface: elastic for ripe ones, hard for unripe ones;
• light aroma - with a hint of strawberry and lemon;
• peel with a uniform color.

The beginning of deterioration is indicated by wrinkled skin, cracks, dark or light spots on the surface. When pressing on the stem, juice will be released. If there is at least one of these signs, fruits should not be given to children.

Introduction of kiwi into baby food

At what age can a child eat kiwi? It depends on the state of health. If everything is normal with digestion, there is no diathesis, then familiarization with a new taste begins at the age of 6 months. Pediatrician Komarovsky believes that fruits can be introduced into the diet as soon as the first tooth appears.

Scheme by age

The first acquaintance begins with 1–2 g. Take a little juice into a teaspoon, dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio, and let it taste.
If no negative symptoms appear within 24 hours, you can switch to pulp. Recommended servings:

• up to 10 months – 5 g, 0.5 tsp;
• 10–18 months – 10 g, 1 tsp;
• from 1.5 to 2 years – 2 thin slices;
• from 2 to 3 years – 1 fruit.

The first acquaintance begins with kiwi puree.

Don't let the seeds get in. When preparing purees, they should be carefully removed to prevent them from entering the trachea.

Consumption frequency

Up to 1.5 years old, it is enough to introduce Chinese gooseberries into the child’s menu 2 times every 7 days.
Up to 3 years, the weekly norm can be increased to half, but also divided into 2 doses. From 3 to 5 years old, 1 kiwi is allowed every 7–10 days. From what age the portion is increased depends on the body’s reaction. If no unpleasant symptoms occur and you like the taste, then from the age of 5, children are allowed to consume up to 3 fruits per day and 5–7 per week. You can eat it whole, along with the bones. But the peel should always be removed.

What products to combine with

It is allowed to give apples, bananas, apricots, tangerines along with exotic delicacies - if there is no allergic reaction. Can be added to cereals, baked goods, and fermented milk products. Preference should be given to the latter option: thanks to fruit acids, calcium from cottage cheese is better absorbed.

Complementary feeding norms up to one year

Bodysuit for newborn babies - boys and girls

Following the rules of complementary feeding, you can give kiwi to a one-year-old child. To do this, you need to follow the recommendations of doctors and allergists. Giving exotic fruits to children under one year of age is not recommended.

How often to give

It is recommended that young children be given overseas fruits no more than once a week. Only by the age of five are you allowed to eat kiwi 2 times a week.

Quantity

A child’s first acquaintance with an overseas fruit should begin with an amount of no more than 5 g. Only if there are no negative consequences of its use, it is recommended to give up to 10 g of fruit pulp.

Kiwi should be given to the baby little by little

By the age of three, a child can be given half a fruit (no more than 30 g) once a week. A five-year-old child is allowed one fruit once a week (or half twice a week).

What does it combine with?

Children's cooking allows you to combine kiwi with:

• apples;
• citrus fruits (especially tangerines);
• apricots;
• bananas;
• milk processing products;
• porridge.

Kiwi with kefir

Attention! Citrus fruits are introduced into the children's diet only in cases where the babies are not allergic to these fruits. If you have high sensitivity, it is best to give an apple or pear.

In what form should I give kiwi to my child?

How to introduce Chinese gooseberries into your diet depends on your age and chewing skills. For babies who are used to a pacifier, it is better to make juice. It must be diluted with water to reduce the aggressive effect on the mucous membrane. But you should treat with a spoon. The drink has a pleasant taste. Its use will help you master a new eating technique.

It is better for kids to make kiwi juice.

Homemade puree

In this form, Chinese gooseberries are offered to children under 1.5 years old. There are several cooking methods:

1. Cut the fruit, remove the seeds, scrape with a teaspoon.
2. Separate a piece and mash with a fork.
3. Blend with a blender, adding a little water.

In all cases, the seeds are removed to prevent the baby from choking.

When are pieces allowed?

Once the chewing process has been fully mastered, fruit slices can be offered. It is advisable to chop them finely and add them to fruit salads, porridge or cottage cheese.

Kiwi pieces are given when the child can chew.

Recipes for children with kiwi

With high acidity, Chinese gooseberries cause heartburn and nausea. In order not to give up your favorite taste, tropical fruits can be used as ingredients in dishes. With gentle heat treatment, the beneficial properties are preserved, and the aggressive effect on the stomach is reduced.

Homemade marmalade

Artificial colors, preservatives and stabilizers should not be added to baby food recipes. Minimum ingredients:

• 0.5 kg sugar;
• 0.5 kg kiwi;
• 120 ml water.

Homemade marmalade is made from sugar and kiwi.

Step-by-step preparation:

1. The fruits are peeled, crushed in a blender and rubbed through a sieve to remove the seeds.
2. The puree is transferred to a saucepan and filled with water. Boil for 5 minutes, then add sugar, dissolve it, stirring.
3. When some of the water has evaporated, the jam is poured into the mold.
4. Cool to room temperature and put in the refrigerator to stabilize.

Can be dried in the oven at +80°C for 30 minutes.

Cottage cheese casserole

This version of delicate pastries will appeal to children and adults.
The dessert is low-calorie, 2-3 pieces will not lead to weight gain. Ingredients:

• 0.5 kg low-fat cottage cheese;
• 1 tbsp. l. wheat flour;
• 2 tbsp. l. semolina;
• 100 ml kefir;
• 80–100 g granulated sugar;
• 0.25 tsp soda;
• 3 eggs;
• 2 ripe kiwis;
• 1.5–2 tbsp. l. sunflower oil;
• to taste - salt.

Cottage cheese casserole is a delicate pastry.

Step-by-step preparation:

1. The cottage cheese is rubbed through a sieve to avoid lumps.
2. Add flour, sugar, semolina, eggs. Pour in kefir and mix everything with a blender. The more airy the mass, the better.
3. Grease the mold with oil and lay out the dough.
4. Peel the kiwi, cut it into thin pieces, lay it on top, and press it in.
5. Bake in the oven at +180°C for 45 minutes.

If the casserole is made for children under 3 years of age, then the fruit pulp is added to the curd mass. The bones are removed.

Kiwi cocktail with ice cream

If you plan to introduce the drink into a child’s diet, the milk must first be boiled and then cooled. The tropical fruit is cleaned and the seeds are cut out.

Kiwi cocktail with ice cream is mixed using a blender.

In the bowl of a blender or food processor, mix pieces of 1 fruit, 100 g of ice cream and 0.5 liters of milk. Serve with a cocktail straw so that the child does not get a cold in his throat.

Yogurt cocktail

This simple and healthy drink can replace an afternoon snack. The fruit is cleaned, seeds removed, and crushed. Beat with milk. How much pulp to add depends on the age of the child. From 1 year - 0.25 fruits per 1 glass, from 3 - 1 piece. for the same amount of liquid.

Yogurt smoothie is a simple and healthy drink.

Children 1–1.5 years old should expand their diet very carefully, analyzing the body’s reactions. But you don’t need to think when an allergy appears that you will have to give up kiwi for life. The formation of intestinal flora ends by 3–5 years.