Benefits of Cucumber Rich in Nutrients for Baby

Cucumber which contains lots of water and is refreshing is good for the baby’s complementary food menu, check out the various benefits here!

Cucumber contains macronutrients and micronutrients needed by the body. Cucumber contains water, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, folate, beta-carotene, and vitamin K.

Not only for adults, but cucumbers also have good benefits for the health of babies and their growth and development. Making cucumbers as your child’s complimentary food menu is the right thing.

Babies generally can start eating cucumbers at the age of 6 months. However, cucumbers for babies cannot be served raw.

Let’s find out more about the benefits of cucumber for babies and the things you should pay attention to when preparing cucumber complementary foods.

With a variety of healthy ingredients in cucumber, here are the benefits of cucumber for babies:

1. Reduces Stomach and Digestive Complaints

Cucumber can help overcome and relieve complaints in the baby’s stomach, for example, due to gastric problems or constipation.

Give the baby a cucumber that has been cooked and mashed to make it easier to digest. If the baby is ready to receive cucumber intake, you can consult a doctor for serving suggestions according to the baby’s condition.

2. Hydrate Baby’s Body

Adequate fluid is one of the important things for a baby’s health. Well, cucumbers can help fulfill these components thanks to their high water content.

3. Vitamin Sources

The vitamin content in cucumber is quite a lot making this vegetable very good for babies.

Vitamin needs are very important for babies for physical growth, neurological, vision, blood circulation, bone health, and so on.

4. Boost Immune

Babies still have very vulnerable immune systems. Therefore, you need to give it a nutritious intake that can help prevent various diseases.

Cucumber contains antioxidants, namely flavonoids and tannins. The content is able to help the baby’s body to increase immunity and ward off free radicals.

5. Healthy Skin

Cucumber juice applied to the skin is considered to have a calming and moisturizing effect on the baby’s skin. However, before trying it, it is advisable to consult a doctor first to avoid risks to the skin.

This home remedy can also be used to reduce the effects of sunburned skin. However, this still requires further research.

6. Helping Growth

One of the most important nutrients for babies is folic acid. It’s no wonder that during pregnancy, mothers need to meet their needs so that the baby’s development is maximized.

Cucumber contains folic acid which is very important to support the growth of the baby and helps strengthen nerve tissue and joints.

How to Process Cucumbers for your Little One’s MPASI

When the baby has reached the age of 6 months and over, he can start eating cucumber but it must be in a soft texture ( pure ).

For steps to prepare it, here are the ways that can be followed:

• Make sure the cucumber is fresh, then wash it clean. So that the healthy nutrition is not reduced, it is better than the cucumber skin does not need to be peeled.
• Steam or boil the cucumbers for 10-15 minutes, or until soft enough when pierced with a fork.
• Cut the cucumbers, then blend. Add enough water to make the cucumber puree softer.
  Cucumber skin contains fiber. However, it is feared that it will be difficult to digest if consumed whole because it is denser than the meat.

Then, blend the cucumber and skin until smooth so that no hard parts are left behind. This method of processing cucumbers for MPASI is especially true if the baby is under 12 months old.

Pay Attention to This Before Giving Cucumber MPASI

Here are some things to consider before giving cucumbers to babies for the first time:

• Allergy Check

You should first consult with your doctor so that the risk of allergic reactions or irritation due to eating cucumber can be avoided.

If it’s the first time your baby eats solids or cucumber puree, do it gradually. Avoid first introducing him to other new foods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States, avoid introducing other new foods within 3-5 days.

It aims to determine whether the baby is really suitable for eating cucumbers or if there are allergic reactions or certain complaints.

• Correct Presentation

Serving cucumber for babies 1 year and older can be done by slicing the cucumber thinly so that the baby can hold it as finger food.