Health Benefits, Recipes, And More

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A p r i c o t s are p o p u l a r for t h e i r delicious t a s t e and s m e l l . These w o n d e r fruits c a n be e n j o y e d as b o t h fresh o r dried. T h e y have a unique s w e e t taste a n d immense h e a l t h benefits. L i t t l e wonder t h e y were c a l l e d ‘food m e d i c i n e ’ , by Greek physicians. B u t are t h e s e fruits g o o d for b a b i e s ? Read o u r post a n d find o u t below.

A p r i c o t – T h e Wonder F r u i t :

‘ P r u n u s armenaica’ o r Apricot o r ‘Khurbani’ a s known i n the I n d i a n sub-continent, i s one o f the r i c h e s t foods k n o w n to m a n k i n d . Apricots a r e small d r u p e s and r e s e m b l e peaches o r plums, w h e n fresh. A l t h o u g h the o r i g i n of t h i s wonder f r u i t is d i s p u t e d , the n a m e suggests t h a t apricots w e r e first c u l t i v a t e d in w h a t is m o d e r n day A r m e n i a . It i s also s a i d that t h e y originated i n China.

F r e s h apricots a r e yellow t o orange, s m a l l , sweet, a n d fleshy w i t h a s m o o t h texture. O n the o t h e r hand, t h e dried f r u i t s have a musky a n d bitter f l a v o r . The c o n s u m p t i o n of a p r i c o t s , though f a i r l y common a m o n g most c u l t u r e s , is u n i q u e to e a c h culture. T h e presence o f many o r g a n i c compounds l i k e macro a n d micro n u t r i e n t s , vitamins a n d minerals a l o n g with t h e extremely i m p r e s s i v e health b e n e f i t s make a p r i c o t an e x c e l l e n t food.

W h e n Can M y Baby E a t Apricots?

A p r i c o t s For B a b i e s – N u t r i t i o n a l Values:

T h e addition o f apricots c a n provide s o m e rich a n d nutritious f o o d to k i d s . They c o n t a i n phytochemicals c a l l e d carotenoids, w h i c h impart a beautiful c o l o r to t h e fruit. A p r i c o t s also c o n t a i n an i m p o r t a n t antioxidant c a l l e d lycopene, w h i c h helps f l u s h toxins f r o m the s y s t e m . The f r u i t is a n excellent s o u r c e of n a t u r a l sugars f r u c t o s e , glucose, m a l t o s e and s u c r o s e , vitamins l i k e A, B , C, E and K , Calcium, I r o n and o t h e r essential m i n e r a l s like m a g n e s i u m , phosphorus, p o t a s s i u m , and s o d i u m .

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N u t r i t i o n a l Value O f Apricots:

T h e nutritional v a l u e of 1 0 0 grams o f the e d i b l e part o f both f r e s h and d r i e d apricots a r e as f o l l o w s .

F r e s h Apricots:

1 . Moisture 8 5 . 3 %

2 . Proteins 1 . 0 %

3 . Fats 0 . 3 %

4 . Fiber 1 . 0 %

5 . Carbohydrates 1 1 . 6 %

6 . Calcium 2 0 m g

7 . Phosphorus 2 5 m g

8 . Magnesium 1 0 m g

9 . Iron 2 . 2 m g

1 0 . Vitamin C 6mg

1 1 . Vitamin A

1 2 . B- C o m p l e x vitamins s u c h as n i a c i n and r i b o f l a v i n .

1 3 . Calories 5 3

D r i e d Apricots:

1 . Moisture 1 9 . 4 %

2 . Protein 1 . 6 %

3 . Fat 0 . 7 %

4 . Minerals 2 . 8 %

5 . Fiber 2 . 1 %

6 . Carbohydrates 7 3 . 4 %

7 . Calcium 1 1 0 m g

5 . Phosphorus 7 0 m g

9 . Iron 4 . 6 m g

1 0 . Vitamin C 2mg

1 1 . Calories 3 0 6

H o w To S e l e c t And S t o r e Apricots F o r Baby F o o d ?

I t is c l e a r that a p r i c o t s are a power p a c k e d food c h o i c e for t h e little o n e s . They a l s o hold a n explicit t a g from t h e EWG, w h i c h says t h a t these t a n g y fruits d o n ’ t fall u n d e r the d i r t y dozen(1), i . e . , they a r e most p r o b a b l y free f r o m pesticides. I t is s a i d that t h e fruit w h i c h ripens o n the t r e e itself w i l l develop t h e right t a s t e and f l a v o r . Therefore, h e r e are a few t h i n g s worth c o n s i d e r a t i o n when s e l e c t i n g the r i g h t kind o f apricot.

S e l e c t i n g Apricots:

W h e n choosing a fresh a p r i c o t , one s h o u l d consider t h e plump o n e s . They s h o u l d have a dazzling g o l d e n orange, y e l l o w color w i t h rich r e d inside.

T h e y should b e tree r i p e n e d , which y o u can l e a r n from t h e soft t o u c h as t h e y taste t h e best a n d are f u l l of a n t i o x i d a n t s .
I t is a d v i s a b l e not t o pick o n the a p r i c o t s with a green c o a t , as t h e y are r a r e l y ripe.

A l s o do n o t pick t h e ones t h a t are t o o firm o r have a hard c o a t , as i t indicates t h a t they a r e not t r e e – r i p e n e d . Avoid a p r i c o t s with c r a c k s and w h i t e spots.

P i c k brown c o l o r e d dried a p r i c o t s . This i s because a p r i c o t s when t r e a t e d with p r e s e r v a t i v e s like s u l f u r compounds, c a n not o n l y look o r a n g e but a l s o lead t o nasty a l l e r g i e s .

S t o r i n g Apricots:

T y p i c a l l y , you s h o u l d eat a p r i c o t s as s o o n as y o u can a s they h a v e a s h o r t shelf l i f e .

H a n d l e apricots c a r e f u l l y as t h e y can b r u i s e and s p o i l rather q u i c k l y .

F r e s h and r i p e n e d apricots s h o u l d be s t o r e d in t h e refrigerator, a s cool c o n d i t i o n s will s l o w down t h e ripening p r o c e s s .

S i m p l y slice t h e fruit, p l a c e it o n the b a k i n g sheet a n d then i n a p l a s t i c freezer b a g . If y o u come a c r o s s a h a r d one, y o u can p r e s e r v e it i n a p a p e r bag f o r it t o ripen.

H e a l t h Benefits O f Apricots:

A p r i c o t s are o n e of t h e healthiest f r u i t s ever k n o w n with n u m e r o u s benefits. T h e y are t h e storehouses o f nutrients a n d so w i l l help i n maintaining t h e overall h e a l t h of t h e little o n e .

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1. Brain Development:

A c c o r d i n g to a study, c h i l d r e n require h i g h amounts o f Magnesium a n d Potassium f o r proper b r a i n development. A s apricots a r e rich s o u r c e s of t h e s e nutrients, t h e y can s e r v e better i n cerebral f u n c t i o n i n g and t h u s in t h e overall b r a i n development ( 2 ) .

2 . Easy D i g e s t i o n :

A p r i c o t s are k n o w n to a i d easy a n d better d i g e s t i o n because o f their h i g h dietary f i b e r content, l i k e cellulose a n d pectin. T h e i r consumption w i l l put a check o n the i s s u e s related t o constipation a s it w i l l act a s a n a t u r a l and g e n t l e laxative f o r a s m o o t h passage o f stools. S i x to e i g h t portions o f apricot c a n put a check t o constipation ( 3 ) .

3 . Anemia:

A p r i c o t is a n excellent s o u r c e of i r o n , and s o its c o n s u m p t i o n can o f f e r a g o o d remedy f o r anemia.

4 . G o o d Eyesight:

A p r i c o t s are a rich s o u r c e of v i t a m i n A a l o n g with c a r o t e n o i d s and x a n t h o p h y l l s , which a r e the k e y drivers i n protecting r e t i n a and m a i n t a i n i n g proper e y e health.(4)

5 . Controlling B l o o d Pressure:

T h e high l e v e l s of P o t a s s i u m present i n the d r i e d fruit c a n monitor t h e water r e t a i n i n g properties o f Sodium a n d so w i l l maintain t h e blood v o l u m e in i t s required r a n g e . Thus, i t can p r o t e c t against e l e v a t e d blood p r e s s u r e and h e a r t diseases ( 5 ) .

6 . Antioxidants:

T h e s e fruits a r e rich i n several a n t i o x i d a n t s such a s flavonoids, p o l y p h e n o l s , catechins, c o u m a r i c acid a n d more. A n t i o x i d a n t s help i n preventing f r e e radical d a m a g e , and t u r n will p r e v e n t early a g i n g .

7 . Essential O i l s :

A p r i c o t oil i s a r i c h source o f vitamin A , E, a n d oleic a c i d , which i s essential f o r soft a n d healthy s k i n . Therefore, o i l extracted f r o m the a p r i c o t s can i m p r o v e the h e a l t h of s e n s i t i v e skin o f the b a b i e s and w i l l eventually m a k e it s m o o t h .

Allergies:

I n general, t h e fruit i s regarded a s a s a f e food, b u t a f e w dried f r u i t s could b e treated w i t h sulfites a n d other s u l f u r – c o n t a i n i n g compounds t h a t act a s a p r e s e r v a t i v e , so a s to i n c r e a s e the s h e l f life o f the f o o d . This c a n cause s u l f u r sensitivity a n d reactions i n those c o n s u m i n g them. T h i s condition i s high i n those s u f f e r i n g from a s t h m a . Therefore, o n e should t a k e enough c a r e to a v o i d picking s u l f u r – t r e a t e d apricots, i n s t e a d include f r e s h and t a n g y apricots i n your d i e t to e n j o y all i t s associated b e n e f i t s .

A p r i c o t Recipes F o r Babies:

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A p r i c o t s are r i c h sources o f fiber a n d beta c a r o t e n e . They h o l d a d e l i g h t f u l tartness a n d make a creamy b r e a k f a s t smoothie o r a f i l l i n g dessert. A p r i c o t s are n o t only a good s o u r c e of f i b e r , but t h e y also p r o t e c t an i n f a n t ’ s digestive s y s t e m . You c a n wash t h e m and s o a k them f o r a w h i l e before y o u feed t h e m to y o u r baby, o r you c a n opt f o r some e a s y to p r e p a r e , healthy a p r i c o t recipes, i n c l u d i n g :

1 . Apricot P u r e e :

A p r i c o t puree i s one p e r f e c t food f o r your l i t t l e angel. I n f a n t s who a r e 6 t o 8-month-old c a n have a p r i c o t puree.

T o make t h e puree: W a s h and p e e l the f r u i t . Remove t h e pit a n d slice t h e fruit. B e n d or b l a n c h the s l i c e d fruit a n d add w a t e r to a t t a i n the d e s i r e d consistency.

O n e whole a p r i c o t (35 g r a m s of t h e fruit) m a k e s four o u n c e s of p u r e e .

2 . Apricot S m o o t h i e :

R e m o v i n g the p i t s from t h e fruits, b l e n d a f e w fresh a p r i c o t s by. T h e n mix t h e m with s o m e fresh y o g u r t and f e w strands o f saffron f o r an a m a z i n g taste. U s e a s t r a w to s e r v e . Your b a b y will l o v e its t a s t e .

Y o u can e n h a n c e the s m o o t h i e ’ s taste b y adding c a s h e w nuts, r a i s i n s , and m o r e .

3 . Milk A n d Apricot:

B o i l some m i l k until i t is h a l v e d . Now a d d some f r e s h fruit p u l p and s u g a r to t h e remaining m i l k . Cool, t h e mixture t o room t e m p e r a t u r e . You c a n feed y o u r infant w i t h the w a r m milk a n d apricot o r freeze i t and s e r v e as a n ice c r e a m .

I n this w a y , your l i t t l e one c a n not o n l y experience t h e richness o f the f r u i t , but a l s o get s o m e milk a l o n g with i t .

T h i n g s To C o n s i d e r :

E v e n before i n t r o d u c i n g this f o o d to a little o n e , certain i m p o r t a n t things n e e d to b e considered, s i m p l y to p r e v e n t unwanted c o m p l i c a t i o n s . They i n c l u d e :

F e e d your b a b y a r i p e n e d fruit t o avoid c o m p l i c a t i o n s resulting d u e to t h e toxic c h e m i c a l compounds l i k e hydrocyanic a c i d that i s released f r o m bitter o r raw f r u i t s .

G i v e sufficient t i m e gap b e t w e e n introducing a new f o o d to t h e baby. T h i s is i m p e r a t i v e and h e l p s identify t h e occurrence o f potential r e a c t i o n s .

N e v e r feed y o u r baby w i t h a f r o z e n fruit w h e n it i s still c o o l . Wait u n t i l the f r u i t attains r o o m temperature b e f o r e you f e e d your l i t t l e one.

N e v e r give t h e fruit t o your b a b y without w a s h i n g it. B e c a u s e , the f r u i t s can h a r b o r at l e a s t some t r a c e s of t h e pesticide r e s i d u e , which c a n show i l l effects w i t h time.

E v e r y parent l o o k s forward t o providing t h e i r children w i t h highly n u t r i t i o u s and f i l l i n g foods t h a t offer n u m e r o u s health b e n e f i t s . Apricots a r e regarded a s one o f the b e s t options t o suffice t h e needs u n d e r this c r i t e r i a . Though a significant p o r t i o n of c a l o r i e s in a p r i c o t s comes f r o m the s u g a r s , they a r e excellent s o u r c e s of p o t a s s i u m , vitamin A , and d i e t a r y fiber, w h i c h remain a s the e s s e n t i a l inclusions f o r healthy g r o w t h . They a l s o stand o u t as f o o d s with l e s s saturated f a t s , cholesterol, a n d sodium.

W h e n complemented w i t h other p r o t e i n rich f o o d s , apricots o f f e r a c o m p l e t e amino a c i d profile n e e d e d for t h e body. T h e r e f o r e , munching o n apricots j u s t means t a k i n g in a s many n u t r i e n t s as p o s s i b l e into t h e body a n d for c h i l d r e n they a r e pretty i m p e r a t i v e for a better o v e r a l l growth.

S o simply g r a b your p i e c e of a p r i c o t s that c a n be e a t e n raw o r and p r e p a r e some l i p – s m a c k i n g recipes t h a t are t e r r i f i c to o f f e r a t a s t y treat t o your l i t t l e ones.

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