Is it possible to give dried apricots to children: compote (with prunes, raisins), porridge

Apricot... With just this word, a delicious, juicy, aromatic fruit of a fruit tree appears before your eyes. Apricot is loved by both adults and children. But unfortunately, the fresh fruit season is quickly ending, and the fruits cannot be stored for long periods of time.

Not everyone has the opportunity to freeze apricots in sufficient quantities to enjoy their taste all year round. In such cases, you can use dried fruits, which retain all the beneficial substances and vitamins. Mothers, wanting to pamper their child with delicious dried fruits, are interested in when they can start giving dried apricots to the baby, what benefits will it bring to the child, are there any restrictions for their use by children?

Dried apricot can be of 3 types: dried apricots, kaisa, apricots. What is the difference between them:

Dried apricots are dry pitted apricots, cut in half.
Kaisa also does not contain seeds, but they are squeezed out, and the apricot remains intact.
Apricots dried with pits are apricots.

Recipes for food and drinks

Purees for the little ones

Figs – 2 ripe or dried fruits.

Pre-soak the dried fruits in warm water for thirty minutes. Wash fresh figs and remove the skin. Grind the ingredients in a blender without adding salt, sugar or other spices. The resulting puree can be mixed with yogurt or porridge. Or add some breast milk, formula, or vegetable oil to the dish. With such a puree you can start introducing figs into complementary foods for children.

Baked figs

Figs – 8 fresh fruits;
Olive oil – 1 teaspoon.

Drizzle the fruit with oil and bake for twenty minutes. During this time, the figs will become soft inside and covered with wrinkled skin on the outside. At the same time, the product turns out sweeter than standard figs. The finished fruits can also be ground into puree or eaten as is. For a child over three years old, you can fill each fruit inside with soft cheese and then bake it.

Salad

Chicken fillet – 0.3 kg;
Lettuce – 100 gr;
Fresh figs – 5 pcs.;
Orange – 1 fruit;
Goat cheese – 50 g;
Olive oil – 3 tables. spoons.

Wash and dry the salad, peel the orange, cut the pulp over a plate so that the juice flows there. Cut the chicken fillet into long thin strips, lightly add salt, pour in orange juice and add olive oil. Leave to marinate for 15 minutes.

Cut each fig into halves and quickly fry in vegetable oil, literally ten seconds on each side. We also fry the chicken fillet separately. Place lettuce leaves on serving plates, combine chicken, figs and orange slices and place on salad. Cut the cheese into cubes and decorate the salad on top. If desired, salt and pepper the dish and season with olive oil.

Fig Pie

Milk – 2 glasses;
Corn flour - 1⁄2 cup;
Egg yolk – 4 pcs.;
Dried figs – 6 pcs;
Raisins – 70 gr;
Pine nuts – 50 g;
Sugar – 150 gr.

Soak the raisins in hot water for twenty minutes. Wash the figs and cut into small pieces. Beat egg whites separately with sugar. In a separate container, mix the milk, add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Constantly stirring the hot milk mixture, pour it into the beaten yolks.

Gently add flour to the mixture and return to the heat. Cook for about seven minutes until the batter is thick and bubbly. At the same time, stir the mixture constantly. Place raisins, figs and nuts in the dough, mix thoroughly and place in a baking container. Bake for forty minutes at 180 degrees.

Smoothie

Figs – 6 pieces;
Banana – 2 pieces;
Milk – 3⁄4 cup;
Lemon juice – 2 tablespoons. spoons.

Rinse the figs, add warm water and leave for an hour. After this, dry the dried fruits with a paper towel. Peel the bananas and cut into small pieces. Place the ingredients in a blender, add milk and lemon juice, and blend until smooth.

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Dried fruits and candied fruits - what is the difference and which is healthier?

Dried fruits are much healthier than candied fruits. The whole secret lies in the recipe. Candied fruits are pieces of fruit boiled in sugar, and dried fruits are whole dried fruits without sugar (in the best bunch) with all the vitamins preserved. Chemicals, fragrances, and flavorings are usually added during the preparation of candied fruits, so it is very difficult to call them useful.

Dried fruits for children: from what age

The first portions of the treat can be introduced into complementary foods from 11–12 months: in the form of compotes or purees from soaked dried fruits.

Before use, the product must be washed and scalded with boiling water. If you do not plan to brew the drink, it is not necessary to steam the fruits; it is enough to place them in water at room temperature for 15–20 minutes. Otherwise, swelling, they lose most of the vitamins. Dry pieces should not be offered to children, even if they are quite soft. In the stomach, dense fiber increases in volume several times. This can cause heaviness and pain in the abdomen, indigestion, and flatulence. In addition, such dried fruits are difficult to chew.

For the first time you can offer no more than 1 tsp. puree or a piece of fruit weighing no more than 5 g after the main feeding. Then, in order to determine more precisely whether the child can have dried fruits, it is necessary to observe the reaction of his body for 2 days. Unfavorable sign: skin spots, rash, belching, nausea, swelling of the mucous membranes.
For children aged 1–1.5 years, no more than 20 g of dried fruit is enough at a time: 2–3 prunes, dried apricots or one pear. You can eat fruits in their natural form and as part of dishes 1-2 times a week.
Children 2–3 years old can eat up to 40 g of product. At this age, mixtures of 2-3 types of dried fruits are useful.
Children 4–5 years old can eat fruits daily: up to 60 g per serving.

Digesting dried fruits requires a lot of energy, so it is useful to eat them before dinner: for breakfast, lunch and snacks. These products go well with cereal porridges and cottage cheese. You can make fillings for pies and cookies from them. If well tolerated, mixtures of dried fruits with honey and ginger are useful

It is important to remember the high calorie content of fruits and not to overuse sugar, chocolate or cream in desserts

Making your own dried apricots at home

Dried apricots can be made at home.
In the case of children, this is the preferable option, since parents can be sure of the composition of such dried fruits. It is advisable to dry the fruits in the shade. They can be left in the sun, but only if you need to make compote from dried fruits. Otherwise, the fruits will be too hard to eat. To prepare dried apricots you will need apricots. They should be ripe, but not overripe. The indicator is the bone. If it easily comes away from the pulp, it means the fruits are already ripe. Before drying, apricots are sorted. All defective fruits are removed. Apricots are washed thoroughly, then cut in half. The wormy ones are thrown away in the process.

Place the halves on paper towels or natural fabric and allow to dry. Before drying, it is recommended to hold the fruits over steam: in this case, they will darken less after the moisture evaporates. The blanks are transferred to a baking sheet covered with gauze or natural fabric.

The baking sheet is left in the shade in the fresh air. Apricots are periodically moved and turned over so that they dry out on all sides. They are protected from high levels of humidity, dew and rain. It is advisable to leave the baking sheet in the house overnight.

Dried apricots can be made from apricots in the oven.

An alternative option is oven drying. The temperature regime is selected individually depending on the model of equipment, the average is +65 °C. The door is left ajar. The workpieces are checked every hour. They should be firm and dark orange or brown.

What if milk is not allowed?

For the treatment of children and adults who do not like milk, have lactase deficiency or do not consume the product for other reasons, the benefits of fig fruit are also available. Cough figs for children without milk are used to prepare an aqueous syrup that effectively eliminates any form of cough and also softens the throat.

Syrup

Peculiarities

The composition includes figs, ginger, and lemons, so it is important to make sure that you are not allergic to these components

Preparation and use

Approximately ten dried figs are placed in a saucepan and filled with one and a half glasses of water.
The mixture is heated to a boil, boiled for half an hour, then pour in a glass of water and add a glass of sugar, stir until the crystals are completely dissolved.
After the syrup thickens, stop heating it, pour in a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of dried ginger.
After cooling, the product can be consumed one tablespoon for adults and one teaspoon for children. The frequency of administration is three to four times a day.

In addition to its effective antitussive and expectorant effects, the syrup has a softening, enveloping, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effect on the body. It can be used for up to a month.

Figs (aka fig tree, aka fig tree, aka wineberry)

- a deciduous subtropical tree of the Mulberry family. Its historical homeland is Asia Minor, but now figs are distributed throughout the Mediterranean.

In our country, it is cultivated on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory and in the Crimea. Figs are considered one of the most ancient cultivated plants.

Its fruits are of great value

– sweet juicy fruits with many seeds and nuts.

Fresh figs are rarely found on store shelves. The fact is that the shelf life and transportability of these fruits leaves no room for improvement.

They must be consumed within 6 hours after collection.

, otherwise the figs will spoil. That is why, even in ancient times, people learned to dry figs.

Dried figs are an exceptionally nutritious product

. No wonder the soldiers of Alexander the Great stocked up on it when preparing to go on a campaign.

The calorie content of figs per 100 g of dry fruit is 257 kcal. Of these, proteins account for 12.4 kcal, fats – 7.2 kcal, and carbohydrates – 231.6 kcal.

There are a lot of sugars in figs. The fruits of some varieties can contain up to 70% glucose and fructose.

The vitamin composition of figs varies

– the content in fresh and dried fruits is different:

Thus, some vitamins are lost when figs are dried (C, B5), while the content of others, on the contrary, increases.

Mineral substances found in fig fruits include:

sodium;
potassium;
calcium;
magnesium;
iron;
phosphorus.

In terms of the amount of useful potassium, figs are the champion and are second only to nuts.

Unripe figs should not be eaten. They contain a very caustic milky juice. In the old days, this “milk” was used to remove warts and treat acne.

The “Live Healthy!” program will tell you how to choose figs, how long to store them, and what their beneficial properties are:

Preventing constipation

Everyone knows that it is better to prevent a problem than to look for ways to cope with it. Dr. Komarovsky says a lot about constipation in infants, but the main thing he focuses on is the need to establish proper nutrition for the baby. How should you act to prevent constipation?

A bottle-fed baby should receive enough water.
If the baby is fed breast milk, then the mother needs to drink at least 2 liters of liquid and eat foods rich in potassium.
Place the baby on his tummy more often, ideally for 5 minutes each time before feeding.
Do gymnastics with your child regularly: lift his legs, bend them at the knees, exercises on a gymnastic ball are useful.
You need to give the baby a light tummy massage, it helps relieve muscle spasms and reduce gas formation.
The child should not be allowed to overheat.
The food of babies who are already receiving complementary foods should not be highly heat-treated and very soft.

You need to treat constipation in infants yourself only if it is the only symptom. And when a baby experiences abdominal pain, has increased gas formation and lacks appetite, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

Dried apricots are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals necessary for the full development of a child. Dried apricots are perfectly stored for a long time, so they are convenient to use for complementary feeding in the winter. Drinks made from dried apricots are great for a baby’s first introduction to this dried fruit: compote, decoction.

Useful features

Accelerates recovery during the flu, reduces fever and relieves fever;
Relieves stress and anxiety, calms and relaxes, has a positive effect on the condition of nerve cells;
Gives strength and vigor, provides energy and restores the body after physical activity;
Positively affects the functioning of digestion and intestines, facilitates and accelerates the absorption and digestion of food;
Normalizes metabolism and helps with constipation;
Improves blood composition and is useful for anemia.
Stabilizes heart function and strengthens blood vessels;
Improves memory and stimulates brain activity;
Improves sleep;
Cleanses the body of toxins, toxins and other harmful substances;
Strengthens bones and nails;
Has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin. Eliminates fungus on the skin and nails;
Helps with sore throat and prolonged cough.

Properties of dried fruits

There is little moisture left in dried and dried fruits, but carbohydrates, mineral elements and fiber remain the same. Some vitamins are inevitably lost during processing, but the fruits taste sweeter due to the high concentration of fructose. Calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, copper, selenium and zinc from dried fruits are absorbed more easily and quickly, this is helped by the absence of excess liquid in the structure.

Including dried fruits in a child’s diet is useful for the development of the visual organs, skeletal and muscular systems, strengthening the immune system, and maintaining brain functions. 100 g of dried fruits or berries contains 270–350 kcal. Thanks to their high nutritional value, they quickly restore physical strength and relieve hunger for a long time.

Dried fruits are especially important in areas where fresh seasonal fruits are rare due to climatic conditions and there is no wide variety. In winter, these products help resist infections, stimulate the production of vitamin D in the body, and reduce the risk of hypovitaminosis and anemia. By offering dried fruits to children instead of confectionery, you can protect them from caries, inflammatory diseases of the stomach, diathesis, and excess weight gain.

How to properly consume dried fruits

Dried fruits are harmful if consumed in large quantities. However, when included in the required diet little by little, they will become an excellent substitute for fresh fruits in the winter:

Doctors recommend prunes as an additional supportive remedy for rheumatism, kidney diseases (it removes salts and toxins from the body),
dates will help with lower back pain, heart problems, overwork and fatigue,
dried apricots have a positive effect on the functioning of the intestines and stomach, removes radionuclides and heavy metal salts,
Dry apples lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and improve the functioning of the digestive system.

Warning! Dates are difficult food for the stomach, so if you have gastrointestinal diseases, it is recommended to eat them with caution!

Dried fruit compotes will help boost your immunity during the cold season.

Food combinations

When including dried fruits in a child's diet, it is important to consider their compatibility with other menu components. Each fruit has its own set of “friendly” food products that enhance the beneficial properties of the original product, promote the absorption of valuable substances in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitate the digestion of food. This:

oatmeal for apples and pears;
cottage cheese for dried apricots;
milk for dates.

Without the correct combination of other products with dried fruits, the beneficial effect of taking them will be minimal.

Is it possible for children to have dried persimmons?

Dried fruits during pregnancy

Having all the above properties, a decoction of dried apricots should become a daily drink for a pregnant woman, since with its help you can maintain the health of the woman and the unborn baby. The orange fruit drink has a number of useful features:

pectin and acids remove toxins from the body;
minerals strengthen the fetal skeletal system;
fructose and glucose satisfy the need for sweets without leading to excess weight;
prevent anemia, which is most often observed in women bearing a child;
saves from lack of vitamins, especially in the cold season;
alleviates toxicosis;
normalizes blood pressure;
acts as a preventative against constipation and other stomach problems;
strengthens the immune system;
strengthens teeth, prevents hair loss and brittle nails;
relieves swelling in the legs.

A decoction of dried apricots during pregnancy is a unique drink that quenches thirst, saturates the body with essential substances and alleviates a woman’s already difficult condition.

We suggest making a cocktail from dried apricots. It is not only healthy, but also very tasty.

Preparation

Wash dried fruits under running water. Place in an enamel bowl and fill with hot water (not boiling water).
Cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
Strain the liquid.
Grind the fruits in a blender into puree and combine with compote.
Leave to cool.
Add honey and you can enjoy the pleasant taste of the drink.

Pregnancy is a difficult period in a woman’s life when the body is rebuilt and changing. In this case, it is dried apricots that will facilitate the process of bearing a fetus and provide many things necessary for health.

Causes of constipation

Only a doctor can determine whether a child is sick or whether such bowel movements are normal for him. Therefore, if there are any deviations in the behavior of the baby, you should contact a pediatrician. After all, before treating your baby, you need to know what causes his constipation. This condition can be caused by many factors:

pathologies of intestinal development, for example, Hirschsprung's disease;
various inflammatory and infectious diseases, colds;
disturbance of intestinal microflora;
taking certain medications, especially antibiotics;
allergic reaction to cow's milk and some other products.

In such cases, only a doctor can treat constipation in an infant. Komarovsky advises mothers to take some measures on their own if infrequent bowel movements are caused by other reasons:

lack of breast milk, which results in so-called “hunger” constipation;
improper diet of the mother, because everything that a woman eats passes into her milk;
lack of water, which helps remove feces;
transition from breastfeeding to artificial feeding, since up to 4 months mother’s milk not only feeds the baby, but also protects against diseases;
introduction of complementary foods, in this case the child’s intestines may react to unfamiliar food with constipation;
changing the milk formula, which may contain a component intolerable to the baby;
overheating the child with too warm and dry air, which causes dehydration;
stress and anxiety of the baby due to a change in environment, his fear when he is left alone.

Pears

They are no less popular than apples and even raisins. Dried pears are rich in various organic acids. They also contain a large amount of dietary fiber, vitamin C, as well as glucose and fructose.

It is worth noting that dried pear fruits are practically the only ones that contain the maximum amount of antioxidants

This is extremely important for maintaining heart health. It is also worth noting the presence of a natural antibiotic called arbutin in the product.

Since dried pear fruits are excellent at helping fight hunger, they are allowed not only as a snack between main meals, but can also be used as an auxiliary product when following a dietary diet.

What are the benefits of dried fruit? In general, the beneficial properties of dried pears are:

protection and maintenance of heart function; help with pancreatic disorders; help strengthen the walls of blood vessels; Eating dried pear fruits improves the digestion process.

Folk remedies for constipation

Many mothers try to help their child with the help of recipes that their grandmothers used. They push a piece of soap, a cotton swab coated with Vaseline, or a thermometer into the baby’s anus. This is how constipation in an infant was often treated in the past. Komarovsky warns parents against using such means. He believes that this is child abuse. In addition, such drugs can injure the mucous membrane, cause irritation in the anus and further aggravate the problem.

Among folk remedies, the doctor prefers decoctions that help remove gases. It is best to brew dill seed, anise or fennel. Komarovsky considers raisin decoction very useful. In addition to its laxative effect, this drink enriches the body with potassium, which is very important for normal intestinal function. There is a greater choice of remedies if a baby has constipation for 6 months. Komarovsky recommends giving your baby juice, decoction or puree of prunes, and including foods rich in fiber in the diet.

How to cook compote for a child

How to cook dried fruit compote for a child in order to preserve the nutrients as much as possible and not harm the baby’s health? If your baby is trying this drink for the first time, it is better to use an apple, dried apricots and prunes to prepare it. These fruits are less allergenic compared to others. Compote from this mixture can be introduced into a child’s diet from the age of seven months.

How to cook:

Take 50 g of a mixture of dried apples, prunes and dried apricots. Rinse thoroughly;
Pour the mixture with 500 ml of warm water, cover with a lid;
Leave for 8 hours;
Without draining the water, place the container on the stove. Boil over low heat.
Leave for 1 hour.

It is advisable not to use sugar. You can replace it with fructose or add some raisins. The compote can be stored for no more than a day. It is recommended to prepare this drink for your baby every day.

Contraindications

We found out whether children can have dried fruits. But along with the beneficial properties, dried fruits also have a number of contraindications. Among them:

allergic reactions;
diabetes;
tendency to obesity;
Gastrointestinal diseases - gastritis, peptic ulcer.

And a little last thing

A real storehouse of vitamins and minerals, a source of energy and a natural stimulant of the immune system, dried fruits must be present in a child’s diet. The main thing is to observe moderation, choose only high-quality and healthy fruits, and be sure to consult a pediatrician if you doubt the benefits of a particular product. Let your child grow up healthy!

Figs, or figs, are eaten mainly in dried form. This is one of the most popular dried fruits, which benefits the health of not only adults, but also children. It has natural laxative and antimicrobial properties, promotes digestion, strengthens the immune system, protects liver cells and spleen. But when can you give figs to children? Today we will answer this question.

Figs can and should be included in baby food. This fruit is quite high in calories (107 kcal per 100 g of dehydrated fruit), contains vitamins and minerals, 17 amino acids and fatty acids (mainly linolenic) necessary for a child, and has numerous beneficial properties.

A source of vitamins and minerals (iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, etc.), important for the formation of body structures and the development of the child’s brain.
Promotes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It is especially useful for children with a weak digestive system who need very soft, tender food.
Laxative properties of ripe figs are given by fiber, which absorbs water well, participates in the formation of feces, improves intestinal motility and prevents constipation.
Antibacterial and antipyretic effects are significant for young children, who are most susceptible to microbial infections.
The hepaprotective properties of figs are aimed at the prevention and treatment of such common ailments among children as jaundice and hepatitis.
Natural polyphenols in the product strengthen the baby’s immune system, improve overall health and form the body’s natural defense against pathogens.
Due to its high iron content, figs are a good preventative against anemia.
Fresh figs are good for teeth and gums as they successfully fight bacteria in the oral cavity. While the viscous, sticky texture of dried fruits, on the contrary, can bring a visit to the dentist closer.

The nutritional value of 100 g of dried figs is presented in the table.

Nutrients
Water	69.8 g
Squirrels	1.42 g
Fats	0.40 g
Carbohydrates	27.57 g
Sugar	23.53 g
Cellulose	4.2 g
Vitamins
Vitamin C	4.4 mg
Riboflavin	0.11 mg
Vitamin B6	0.133 mg
Vitamin A	4 mcg
Vitamin K	6.7 mg
Thiamine	0.011 mg
Niacin	0.64 mg
Folic acid	1 mcg
Vitamin E	0.15 mg
Minerals
Calcium	70 mg
Iron	0.88 mg
Magnesium	29 mg
Phosphorus	29 mg
Potassium	294 mg
Sodium	4 mg
Zinc	0.24 mg

What medications can be used in infants for constipation?

It is not recommended to give babies any medications without consulting a doctor. Even the safest drugs approved for use from birth can harm the immature intestinal microflora of a child. Therefore, only in extreme cases is it recommended to use medications to cure constipation in infants.

It is best to use preparations containing lactulose. This is the safest laxative. Lactulose syrup is a prebiotic. It stimulates the production of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and helps remove feces. The following drugs containing lactulose are recommended: Duphalac, Normaze, Portalak, Lizalak and some others. To begin with, it is better to give these medications in a reduced dosage. And if you need long-term use, you should definitely consult your doctor.
To reduce gas formation in the intestines, doctors prescribe the following drugs to children: Espumisan, Plantex or Sub-Simplex. They help relieve cramps and gently remove gases, relieving bloating.
Komarovsky considers glycerin suppositories to be the best remedy for constipation in infants. Children's ones are very rarely sold on sale, but regular ones can also be used. One candle needs to be cut in half lengthwise and then crosswise. You will get four parts. You need to smooth out all the edges of one piece of candle with clean hands and carefully insert it into the baby’s anus. Gently squeeze his buttocks and hold for a while. This suppository will help soften stool and gently move it out.

How to store

Dried apricots will retain their properties if placed in a glass jar or a special plastic grocery bag. It is not recommended to use a regular plastic bag.

Since buying dried apricots is not a problem throughout the year, it is better to purchase small quantities that are quickly used.

Dried apricots made at home yourself can be preserved for longer than a year.
If you need it to be slightly under-dried, then it should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Dried fruits at room temperature can quickly become moldy.
Well-dried dried apricots can be stored in a glass or ceramic container with a lid in a closet, in a dark, dry, ventilated place, at a temperature of 10-20 0C and a humidity of 15 to 25%. Under optimal conditions, the shelf life of dried apricots is up to 18 months.
You can also place dry fruits in fabric bags, previously boiled in a concentrated solution of table salt and dried. This will help protect dry apricots from moths and bugs.
Dried apricot stocks should be checked periodically. If moths or mold are detected, damaged fruits must be removed, and the remaining ones should be placed in the freezer or dried for half an hour in the oven at 60 0C.
Dried dried apricots can be stored in the refrigerator for several months in a closed ceramic or glass container or in a special plastic bag. It is necessary to periodically check the contents of the container for condensation and mold.
Dried dried apricots can be stored for up to one and a half years in the freezer, placing them in plastic food containers. True, during long-term storage in deep-frozen conditions, some of the beneficial properties of the fruit are lost.
Defrosting should occur at room temperature. During such storage, re-freezing should not be allowed.

Little secrets

Modern cooking is replete with a huge number of recipes for compote made from dried apples. In principle, cooking is not a labor-intensive process, and preparing compote is not at all difficult.

Dried apple compote can be prepared without sugar. This is good news - it can be drunk by both those losing weight and people suffering from diabetes. A fragrant compote can easily replace harmful and expensive juices and soda from the store. And if you have one, it is not necessary to roll up apple compote for the winter. At any time, you can brew as much of a delicious, refreshing drink as you want without using jars and a seaming wrench. It's convenient, you'll agree.

The recipe for compote made from dried apples is the simplest. He is also my favorite. If you wish, you can add cinnamon, vanilla, star anise, cloves or mint. These spices are added to the broth a few minutes before the end of cooking. But if you are making compote for the whole family, make sure that no one in the household is an opponent of spices. Otherwise, you know how it happens - they will later say that they would drink it if it weren’t for cinnamon or star anise. And you will have to drink 4 liters of compote yourself :)

Preparation

Sort the dried apples, select only the highest quality fruits. For a tasty, rich compote, 150 grams of fruit is enough. If you don’t have dried apples, this can be quickly fixed. Cut fresh apples into slices and dry them in the microwave or oven.

Pour cold water over the fruit until it completely covers the apple slices. Let it brew for 10-15 minutes. Place the swollen fruit in a saucepan of clean (filtered) cold water, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.

Cook the compote over low heat, then the drink will retain the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. Also note that compote made from dried apples takes twice as long to cook than compote made from fresh fruit. Add sugar to the compote, mix thoroughly and leave to simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes. Some housewives prefer to use honey instead of sugar, but then it is added after the pan with compote has been removed from the heat.

Remove the finished compote from the stove and let it brew under the lid for about 30 minutes. During this time, the apples will completely give up their aroma and taste to the liquid. The drink will become rich, fragrant, with a pleasant light sourness. Strain the cooled, infused dried apple compote, fill the carafe with it and serve.

Finally, I will say that I almost never make a drink using only apples. I prefer a mix of dried apples and pears. Just like in the photo.

Characteristics and composition

Fresh figs are quite difficult to find in Russia. Here it is mainly sold in dried form. And fresh and natural fruits of the fig plant grow exclusively in the southern regions of the country. They have a neutral taste, reddish or yellow, less often purple. Dried fruits acquire a sweeter taste. At the same time, with proper drying, they fully retain the beneficial properties of fresh products.

When dried, the product becomes extremely tasty and is liked by many kids. It will become an alternative to candies and other sweets. At the same time, dried fruit contains much less sugar, which will not harm children’s teeth or cause an allergic reaction or problems with excess weight.

The fruit contains organic acids, sugar and fiber, vitamins B2, B1 and C, calcium and iron, magnesium and other important elements. Figs effectively cleanse the body and help with poisoning, normalize the condition of the body after intoxication. It actively participates in the formation of the bone skeleton and structure of the child’s body, in the development of the baby’s brain.

Figs are a means of preventing and treating rhinitis, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and influenza. It strengthens the immune system and increases the body's defenses, eliminates germs, and speeds up recovery from the flu or cold. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of figs.

Normal stool in newborns

After birth, the functioning of all the baby’s organs improves for some time. In the first three days, the baby passes black-green plasticine-like feces - meconium. Then, until one and a half months, the baby poops as many times as he eats - 8-12. His stools are mushy, yellowish in color, with a sour odor. But before 3 or 4 months, the baby’s intestinal functions have not yet fully developed; many enzymes and beneficial bacteria are missing. Therefore, constipation in a newborn often occurs at this time. Komarovsky urges parents not to panic, but to try to improve the diet of the nursing mother or consult a doctor about choosing formula milk. Normally, a breastfed baby should poop 4-5 times a day. And in artificially-trained people, bowel movements occur less frequently - 1-2 times. Moreover, the feces should be soft and mushy.

The benefits of dried apricots

Dried fruit contains water, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, and starch. It contains vitamin A, E, group B, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium. Dried apricots are also rich in valuable microelements such as selenium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper. Its sweet taste comes from sucrose, glucose and fructose. Due to its unique composition, dried apricot is used not only as a food product, but also as a medicine. According to experienced mothers, dried apricots help with constipation in children.

Dried apricot helps even with chronic constipation. Porridge with dried apricots for children for breakfast will saturate their body with useful substances and normalize digestion. A decoction of dried apricots for babies will also help cope with constipation.

With regular consumption of dried fruit, the body's protective properties increase, the level of hemoglobin increases, the functionality of the heart improves, and normalizes metabolism. In addition, orange fruits improve clarity and visual acuity.

Doctors advise giving dried apricots to children who suffer from kidney disease. Dried apricots are useful when taking antibacterial agents, as it reduces their negative impact on the body.

Autumn is here. The time for fresh berries and fruits is passing, winter is ahead, dried and frozen fruits and berries will be included in the diet. It has long been known to everyone that most vitamins are preserved in frozen foods, but are there vitamins in dried fruits? And can dried fruits be given to children and at what age?

Most often a mixture of dried fruits is used. Dried fruits are of great importance for children's immunity.

Age - this is what you need to focus on when choosing the type of dried fruit. So, in the absence of gastrointestinal diseases, children can be given dried apples and pears from 11-12 months. Later, if your introduction to these products went well, you can add apricots, dried apricots, and prunes.

Dried apricots with pits (apricots) and without pits (dried apricots), prunes, apples, raisins, cherries, pears, figs, as well as bananas and persimmons are widely used.

Rose hips retain a lot of vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin PP throughout the year. No wonder these fruits are sold in pharmacies as natural vitamin preparations. Carotene contained in rose hips, when entering the body, is converted into vitamin A. Beta-carotene has a protective function: it protects the mucous membranes of the throat, mouth, nose and lungs, and also prevents the oxidation of vitamin C.
Dried apricots and apricots are rich in beta-carotene and fructose, and their fiber enhances intestinal motility. And the potassium contained in dried apricots improves brain function, helping to supply it with oxygen, and also helps remove toxins from the body. Potassium helps children cope with allergies.
Dried and sun-dried bananas also contain potassium, magnesium, which prevents the formation of gallstones and kidney stones, and also strengthens the strength of tooth enamel.
Dried peaches, apples and prunes are rich in copper, which helps with iron absorption.
Dried persimmons contain a lot of sugar, which gives energy to the baby, as well as calcium, which is necessary for the growth and strengthening of bones and teeth.

And, of course, it gives confectionery products a unique aroma. In addition to the zest, confectioners are popular with recipes using lemon, one of the citrus fruits containing large amounts of vitamin C. In cooking, not only lemon zest is used, but also its pulp and juice. And lemon cake will be an excellent dessert at any party, especially for children.

5 pcs. prunes and dried apricots,
1 tbsp. spoon of raisins,
250 g cottage cheese,
2 tbsp. spoons of sour cream,
2 teaspoons of sugar.

Rinse all dried fruits thoroughly, changing the water several times, cover with boiled cool water and leave for 2 hours. Rub the cottage cheese through a sieve and add sour cream and sugar. Pour boiling water over the soaked dried fruits, chop finely and mix with cottage cheese. Place in vases.

Thus, dried fruits and berries in children’s diets supplement the diet with vitamins, especially in the autumn-winter period.

Age restrictions

At what age can dried apricots be given to children? It is best to introduce this product into the diet of a child up to one year, but not earlier than 10-11 months. Allergies to it are not uncommon. If you notice alarming symptoms in your baby after eating dried apricots, avoid eating them for 2-3 weeks. An allergy to this delicacy is expressed by the following symptoms:

Dried apricots - beneficial properties

the formation of small pimples on the skin (urticaria);
violation of stool consistency;
peeling of the skin;
swelling around the lips.

Introducing dried fruits to children under one year old should begin with a small portion - half a teaspoon. If the allergy does not manifest itself within 1-2 days, gradually increase the amount of the product. The maximum daily allowance for a child is 50 g. But keep in mind that allergies can begin after exceeding the recommended amount of dried apricots.

Important selection rules

Before purchasing the healthiest dried fruits, you should pay attention to some points. By following them, you will protect yourself from purchasing goods that can harm your body.

Below is a list of these tips.

A properly processed product does not have an attractive appearance

To understand which dried fruits are healthy, pay attention to color and texture. After proper processing, the treat should be dark, heavily wrinkled and covered with a slight layer of dust. If they are too bright and shiny, then before using them you need to keep them in water at room temperature for 25 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Before purchasing, pay attention to the integrity

Cracked dried fruits are spoiled. Also pay attention to the smell. If you smell gasoline or smoke, it is better to refrain from purchasing such a product. Try to give preference to dried fruits in transparent packaging. Thanks to this, you can evaluate the quality of the product before unpacking it. Types of fruits such as pineapple, papaya and watermelon are not dried fruits. They belong to the class of candied fruits, as they go through a sugaring procedure before drying. The beneficial properties of dried fruit compote are represented by the same qualities as the original products, only in a smaller volume. It is also worth keeping in mind that preparing the drink requires simply soaking the selected products in boiling water. Afterwards, the dishes with them are covered with a lid and removed for infusion. It is better to buy products with stalks. This allows dried fruits to retain more beneficial properties. When purchasing raisins, be careful not to let the berries stick together. Otherwise, they have been treated with a large number of food additives and can harm the body.

Now let's move on to the list of the healthiest dried fruits.

What to do

Komarovsky gives some advice on how you can help your baby. After all, it is not always possible to see a doctor right away. But every mother is able to alleviate the child’s condition. And only if these measures do not help, you should definitely contact a medical facility. So, what to do if your baby is constipated? Komarovsky recommends the following methods:

give the baby a massage, using gentle movements with a warm hand to rub the baby’s tummy clockwise;
The “bicycle” exercise helps activate intestinal functions: you need to take the child’s legs and carefully bend them alternately at least 10 times;

It is necessary to call an ambulance or consult a doctor as soon as possible if your child has the following symptoms:

abdominal pain, gas, bloating;
loss of appetite, refusal to eat;
blood appears in the stool;
frequent vomiting;
The baby's stool and urine are dark and have an unpleasant odor.

Figs and milk are the best cough remedy

You can prepare a drink to fight a cold. To prepare, you will need 50 g of dried fruit, a glass of milk, a tablespoon of honey and 30 g of butter. The ingredients are mixed and added to warm milk. The medicine is given to the baby in small quantities before bedtime - 50 ml for children aged 1 to 2 years and 100 ml for children from 2.5 years.

Ingredients for preparing figs with milk

Fresh fruit is also suitable for fighting colds. To prepare a medicinal drink you will need:

200 ml milk;
1 large fruit.

Cooking will not take much time. Put the milk to boil and take care of the southern plant - peel it, rinse it thoroughly and pass it through a meat grinder. Place the purified product into boiling milk and turn off the heat. Let the milk cool. The product is drunk 3-4 times a day, half an hour after eating. Children should not be given more than 200 ml of syrup at a time.

Constipation in infants

In medicine, it is believed that a baby up to three months old should have bowel movements two to four times a day. And constipation is a condition when there is no stool for more than two days. But here everything is individual. Sometimes it happens that a breastfed baby completely absorbs mother's milk. And he has a bowel movement every 3-5 days. Before panicking and giving the baby medication, the mother needs to find out what symptoms accompany constipation in the baby. Komarovsky says that if the baby is developing well and gaining weight, is cheerful and sleeps normally, and bowel movements do not cause him discomfort, then rare bowel movements are normal. We can talk about the disease when, in addition to constipation, the child has other symptoms: gas formation, pain, bloating, loss of appetite. In addition, it is very important to pay attention to the condition of the stool. In infants, it should be mushy, soft, and yellowish. If a child is constipated, his stool will be dark in color, have an unpleasant odor, and be hard.

How and what dried fruits to choose?

It is not recommended to cook children's compotes with exotic dried fruits: bananas, mangoes, etc. It is better to prepare a drink from plants growing in your area. Also, a small child should not cook compote with dried cherries. During long-term storage, poisonous substances begin to form in the seeds of these berries.

For compotes, it is better to use fruits prepared independently in the autumn-summer period: apples, pears, quinces, apricots, grapes.

If dried fruits are purchased for a drink in a store or market, the following factors must be taken into account:

The glossy shine of prunes and dried apricots should alert you: fruits that are dried naturally have a matte texture
smoked dried fruits are most often processed with synthetic smoke, which is dangerous for children and adults
high-quality dried fruits should not leave marks on your hands
dried fruits sold by weight may contain microorganisms that are dangerous to a child’s health

For children's compotes, it is necessary to choose dried fruits that are thoroughly cleaned of stems and seeds. If fruits are not sold in original packaging, they must be especially carefully sorted and washed in water. You can add a few drops of vitamin juice (rowanberry, grape, plum) to the recipe to taste. It is better to prepare compote for babies without pulp. To do this, you need to strain the prepared fruit broth.

Smart parents, instead of chocolates and other unhealthy sweets, delight their children with various dried fruits. And this is the right decision, because it has great benefits for the child.

Dried fruits contain many useful substances that contribute to the harmonious development and rapid growth of your baby. A mixture or individual types of dried fruits are added to compotes and porridges, and given to children separately as a treat.

During the drying process, most of the liquid evaporates from the fruit. At the same time, the concentration of glucose and fructose increases, as a result of which the fruits acquire a special sweetness.

Do not confuse dried fruits with candied fruits. The latter are not very useful. The difference lies in the production process itself. Dried fruits are dried in the oven or in the sun without the use of additives. Whereas candied fruits are kept in high concentration sugar syrup before dehydration.

Throughout the year and especially during the period of shortage of fresh domestic fruits, it is dried fruits that will become an additional source of microelements and vitamins for your fidget.

Among the variety of dried fruits, the properties that are most beneficial for a child are:

dried apricots – necessary for growth;
– a high-calorie product, improves digestion and increases appetite; but, if the child is plump, it is better to refuse dried figs;
– it is customary to include in children’s diet to strengthen the immune system;
– with daily use of several things, the child’s endurance increases, his muscles and bones become stronger;
prunes – enrich the child’s body with vitamins A and E, as well as iron and vegetable proteins.

Compote made from any combination of the above dried fruits always turns out very tasty. Children drink it with pleasure.

Product Description

Dried apricots are very rich in vitamins. Dried apricots are pitted, dried apricots.
This fruit should be of medium size, elastic and not too hard. When choosing it, avoid products that have a bright orange color. This indicates the use of harmful chemicals in the production process. During drying, natural fruits lose their appearance and darken. Depending on the quality of the raw materials, this product is divided into several grades:

extra;
higher;
first;
dining room

What to look for when choosing dried fruits

To increase shelf life, dried fruits sold through wholesale and retail chains are treated with various chemical compounds, most often containing sorbic acid (E200, E201, E202). Such preservatives, subject to all processing and dosage rules, are considered harmless. But you should refrain from eating, especially as a child, dried fruits treated with sulfur dioxide or sulfites (E220-260), as they can lead to the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and allergies. Therefore, you should definitely read the ingredients on the packaging of dried fruits.

Useful tips for choosing dried fruits for your baby:

It is better to buy products from reliable manufacturers in branded packaging; you should pay attention to the appearance of the product - the presence of larvae and small debris in it indicates the low quality of dried fruits; the presence of a seed does not affect the beneficial properties and taste of dried fruits.

Possible harm

Overeating dried fruits can be harmful to a child’s health.
It is important to understand that any product, even one that has many beneficial properties, can harm a child if you give more than the required portion or start complementary feeding at too early an age.

Regarding possible harm, you need to know the following:

overeating dried fruits can negatively affect the condition of the child’s gums and teeth, and the development of caries is possible;
certain drying, in particular, prunes have a laxative effect, so it is not recommended in a situation where the baby has an upset stomach;
dried fruits are contraindicated for children with obesity, diabetes, peptic ulcers, gastritis;
Parents should be aware that harmful preservatives and chemicals that increase shelf life may be added to dried fruits. They can have a serious negative impact, provoke poisoning in the child, and cause digestive problems. Thus, the content of sulfides and sulfur dioxide in dried food can cause an allergic reaction in the baby, problems with the respiratory system and intestines. It is ideal if you have the opportunity to dry fruits yourself without buying those sold in the store.

A selection of recipes

To prepare an excellent compote, you don’t need to choose complex recipe options at all, since it can be safely prepared from just three ingredients. Moreover, products for such a drink are always available, sold at any food markets, and now in supermarkets.

Classic version

You will need:

Dried apricots - approximately one hundred and fifty grams.
Water - only one liter.
Sugar - a couple of tablespoons.

This recipe is considered the most popular among home cooks, and our grandmothers used it to cook dried apricot compote.

Preparation:

First of all, you need to prepare the dried apricots. It is poured with boiling water, washed, dried and placed in a working vessel of acceptable capacity.
Next, the dried apricots are again poured with boiling water of the specified volume, allowed to steam for about fifteen minutes, and then the process of cooking the compote begins.
After the future drink boils, sugar is added and everything is boiled for ten minutes.
Then the compote is removed from the stove and left to infuse for about forty minutes. During this time it will have time to cool down.

That's all the simple classical technology for preparing a unique drink from dried apricots.

Dried apricots go well with many fresh fruits or even other dried fruits.

Apple version

It is highly advisable to use apples with dense pulp, as other varieties may simply boil and the compote will become cloudy with floating apple suspensions.

Especially often, apples are additionally used in the drink, and compote of apples and dried apricots acquires special original flavor notes

You will need:

Dried apricots - about two hundred grams.
Apples are a couple of medium-sized fruits.
Sugar - half a glass, faceted.
Water - about a liter and a half.
Cinnamon is just one stick, but you don’t have to use it.

Preparation:

Initially, the dried apricots are washed and poured with boiling water for about twenty minutes.
During this time, the apples are prepared. They are washed, dried, cut into fragments suitable for compote, freed from seeds and laid out in a working container in which the compote will be cooked.
Next, the following are added to the apples: steamed dried apricots, cinnamon, sugar, and everything is filled with a measured portion of water.
Then the future compote is placed on the stove and cooked for about six minutes.
After this, the finished drink is left alone for just an hour to infuse.
If there is a certain need, then the prepared compote of apples and dried apricots can be strained, and the boiled fruit can be used for other culinary purposes.

If desired, you can replace fresh apples with dried ones. They and dried apricots are taken in equal quantities. Apples, like dried apricots, must first be steamed, but this is done in a separate bowl. Next, they are combined with the components indicated above and cooked for about ten minutes. Other types of dried fruits are used using a completely similar technology: prunes, pears, raisins, dates, etc.

Children's version

Compote from dried apricots is very useful for children, but the drink can be added to the baby’s diet only after reaching the age of one year

In addition, this must be done with extreme caution, as certain signs of allergies may appear, for example:

Peeling of the skin.
Hives.
Swelling around the lips.
Loose stools.

It is recommended that very young children be given a specially prepared dried apricot compote for the child, which uses only two ingredients - water and the dried apricots themselves.

For children's compote, the use of sugar is unacceptable, since the baby will be quite pleased with the sweetness that will pass into the apricot water.

You will need:

Uryuk - just over one hundred and fifty grams.
Water - about one and a half liters is enough.

Preparation:

First, you should thoroughly rinse the apricots, pour boiling water over them and leave to steam for a couple of hours.
After this, the apricots are washed again, placed in a working saucepan, poured with boiling water and cooked for no longer than ten minutes.
Then the finished drink is simply cooled in the most natural way. During this time, it will have time to brew.
Next, the “baby” compote is filtered and poured into feeding mugs or bottles.
This “simplified” drink made from dried apricots can be safely offered to children even up to one year old.

The basic recipes given above are quite enough to cook a decent dried apricot compote and please those around you with its divine taste

It is important not to overdo it with sugar, but even if this happens in a hurry, it is not difficult to dilute the compote with warm water before drinking

Dried prune compote

Sugarless

Prepared in the manner described above, dried fruits (200 grams) are poured with a liter of boiling water. Cover the container tightly with a lid and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Then the fire is turned off, and the compote is kept under the lid for another 1 hour. No sugar is added at all. This drink is suitable for babies up to one year old. It promotes natural cleansing of the baby's intestines, causing a mild laxative effect.

In a slow cooker with dried apricots

Dried fruits (150 grams of prunes and the same amount of eggplant) are washed and then filled with water at 100°C for 15 minutes. The soaked fruits are transferred to the multicooker bowl. For a five-liter capacity of the unit, take 200 grams of sugar. No more is needed, since prunes and dried apricots themselves are quite sweet.

Cold water is added randomly, leaving 5-6 centimeters to the edge of the bowl. The “Soup” or “Stew” mode will prepare a fragrant compote in 1 hour. After the treasured signal of readiness, the home assistant is turned off, and the compote is left to steep in a closed slow cooker for another couple of hours.

Before pouring the drink into glasses, you can strain it and add cocktail ice to cool it. Instructions for preparing it are presented here.

Watch the video from the “Video Cooking” channel with a recipe for dried fruit compote

With raisins and fresh apples

The vitamin drink is quite simple to prepare. One large apple is cut into pieces randomly. If you plan to strain the compote in the end, then it is not necessary to remove the seeds. The skin is also not cut off. Raisins (50 grams) and prunes (100 grams) are soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes and then drained in a colander.

The prepared products are placed in boiling water (2.5 liters), 150 grams of sugar are added, and cooked over medium heat under the lid for 20 minutes. The holding time of the finished drink under the lid is at least 3 hours.

Vitamin drink with honey and cranberry

Pre-soaked 300 grams of prunes are placed in a pan with 3 liters of boiling water. For those who like it sweeter, you can add granulated sugar - 100 grams. Boil dried fruits in syrup for a quarter of an hour. Then add 150 grams of cranberries to the compote. Berries can be taken fresh or frozen.

After boiling, the drink is boiled for another 5 minutes. The vitamin composition should cool on its own. There is no need to take the pot of compote out onto the balcony or put it in the refrigerator. Its taste will suffer as a result.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of honey to the cooled drink

It is important that at the time of adding the beekeeping product, the compote has cooled almost completely. Its temperature should not exceed 50 degrees

If you love cranberries and drinks made from them, then you will probably be interested in a selection of recipes for compotes made from this berry.