December 22, 2019 Leave a Comment
With lots of nutrients, muskmelon is one of the healthiest fruits. But Can I give my baby muskmelon? Let’s find out about this and more.
Nature has an amazing way of giving you just what you need, at the time you need it. And that applies especially to the fruits and vegetables we get each season!
This point is beautifully proved by the muskmelon, a seasonal fruit common in India during summer. With rich hydrating properties and lots of antioxidants and other nutrients, this is one of the best fruits to have for everyone in the family.
Muskmelon is also known as cantaloupe, or Kharbuja in Hindi. The exact origin of this fruit is unknown. They are believed to have originated in the Levant and ancient Egypt. Some scientists also state the fruit’s origin as Persia, India or Central Asia. Others believe that the fruit is of African origin as wild muskmelons are still found in several East African countries.
Muskmelons have a textured rind with sweet orange flesh. They are eaten on their own, made into juices and also used in various dishes. Muskmelon is considered an immunity building fruit rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, potassium as well as Vitamins C and A. From top to toe, muskmelons have several health benefits, and help in overall growth and development in kids.
Health Benefits of Muskmelon
- Prevents Heart Disease
- Prevents Cancer
- Maintains Heart Health
- Maintains Skin Health
- Aids Digestion
- Cures Skin Problems
- Prevents Constipation
- Prevents Nausea
- Builds Immunity
- Maintains Dental Health
- Fights Hair Loss
- Maintains Healthy Hair
- Prevents Premature Ageing
- Treats Insomnia
Can I Give my Baby Muskmelon?
With most of it being water, muskmelons are safe to introduce to babies after 6 months of age, after introducing the first weaning foods for Babies. The sweet taste is generally liked by babies. The water and fiber in muskmelons promote easy digestion and in maintaining gut health. It also helps in boosting immunity by stimulating the white blood cells.
While not mandatory, it’s better to follow the 3-day rule to be on the safe side, and start with a small quantity in the beginning. Muskmelon is not a common allergenic food, but when it does cause an allergy, the symptoms can appear differently in each baby.
If the baby displays symptoms like watery eyes, canker sores around the mouth, itchy rashes, abdominal pain, burning sensation in the mouth, swelling of the face or shortness of breath, he needs to be rushed to the doctor right away.
Tips for Buying and Storing Muskmelon
Here are few tips to select the best Muskmelons for your baby:
- The fruit should smell sweet
- It should feel heavier than its size
- There should be no visible bruises, cracks or soft spots on the skin
- You should be able to push in the skin a little bit with your thumb
A fully ripe muskmelon can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. If not, it has to be kept in a closed paper bag to speed up the ripening process. Wash the fruit only when you’re ready to cut it.
Scrub the muskmelon well and wash under running tap water. Pat dry to remove excess water. Cut off the stem and then cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds and cut out the orange flesh. Discard the seeds. Cut wedges of muskmelon can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Muskmelon Recipes for Babies and Kids
- Muskmelon Puree for Babies
- Muskmelon Milkshake for Kids
- Melon Apricot Dates Baby Puree from Buona Pappa
- Muskmelon Juice from Archana’s Kitchen
- Muskmelon Granita from Times of India
- Muskmelon Banana Smoothie from Gayathri’s Cookspot
- Muskmelon Rice Pudding from Shravs Kitchen
- Coconut Cantaloupe Popsicles from Eat Cho Food
- Cantaloupe Yogurt from Healthy Lunch Ideas
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Filed Under: Baby, Can I give my Baby?, Nutrition Tagged With: can i give my baby cantaloupe, can i give my baby muskmelon, cantaloupe, how to give muskmelon for babies, muskmelon, nutritional benefits of cantaloupe for children, nutritional benefits of muskmelon for children
