Posts Tagged pineapple
What I found out about tropical fruits for kids
Posted by in Babies on February 8th, 2010
We’ve been live in Kuala Lumpur for about a year and a half now, and I had that fear of feeding my baby-girl any tropical fruits. I just didn’t know, should I or shouldn’t I? Well I found out that most of them are totally safe and nutritious and do not invite any reactions with most babies (check your little one though with a specialist, for example Kiwi presents some allergic reactions with a few kids). My daughter loves all the tropical fruits, especially Papaya. Usually she enjoys it just cut up in pieces. I was surprised that papaya started beating the banana as her most loved fruit!
Generally it is safe to feed tropical fruits at about 8months. Just watch for any reactions to them and as explained before, introduce the types one by one, separating them by a few days.
Papaya is rich in vitamins C, A, E, folate (natural folic acid) and potassium. It is also a good source of fiber.
Here some more tropical fruits nutrition information:
Passion fruit: I gave it to my daughter at 8 months. Just scoop it out and feed with a spoon, or mix into smoothies and purees. Passion fruit is a good source of vitamins C and B. Great source of fiber and Iron too. This fruit has a fantastic aroma, I’m sure your kids will enjoy it.
Pineapple: It’s like all citrus fruits, so postpone it till your baby’s first birthday. Cut into small pieces or use in smoothies or meats recipes. It’s a great source of vitamin C, B1, B6, copper and fiber. It has good anti-inflammatory effects.
Mango: If your baby is younger than 8 months, you may want to steam it gently. Otherwise this fruit is great as it is or mixed with other fruit purees and smoothies. Mango is great source of vitamins C and A.
Star fruit: This fruit is a great source of Potassium, Vitamins C and A. It’s also a good source of fiber and Calcium. You can use it in smoothies, or just cut up to pieces in fruit salads. Offer this fruit at 8 months or so.
Durian: Here in Asia it’s a most beloved fruit, they called “King of fruits”. Even though it has a strong and peculiar smell, Some people and most Asians enjoy them so much. I’m not brave enough, but I heard people say it tastes heavenly. Here, little kids enjoys this fruit too. This fruit is a good source of fiber, thiamin, Vitamins B6 and C.
Jack fruit: It’s pretty much like Durian, but is far less smelly. I found this fruit tasty, and it is said to have healing qualities. For example it is prescribed by those-in-the-know twice a day for about four days to help treat Urinary Tract Infections. Boiling the root of jack fruit and drinking the tea is a very well known treatment here for controlling Asthma. Also it helps with reducing fever and diarrhea. Besides that it is full of Vitamin C and potassium. Just like Durian, kids enjoy this fruit from an early age.
Kiwi fruit: Researches showed that Kiwi can cause allergic reaction. If your kid is allergic to peanut butter, milk or eggs, then there is a risk to have allergic reactions to Kiwi. Otherwise Kiwi can be introduced at 8 to 10 months. Kiwi fruit is reach in fiber, vitamin C, potassium and folate.
Lychee: Very tasty, sweet and juicy 
) It’s Ok to introduce them at 10 months. This fruit is high in vitamin C and Copper. It nice to eat raw as it is, or if you offering this fruit for the first time, you may wish to steam it gently.
Mangosteen: It’s purple in color with “seeds” inside it. The flesh is white. The fruit is incredible! It’s rich in Vitamins B1, B2, and B6, calcium, potassium and iron. It also packed with antioxidants. Consumption of this juice improves your health overall, decreases pain, improves your immune system and has anti-inflammatory powers. It will be fun for your baby to try something new. You can introduce it at 8 months, as it is, or extract juice out of it.
Persimmon: My all time favorite. ) We cultivate them in my home country too. Make sure it is ripe, otherwise they are not tasty and quite tangy. There are two types: one is mushy when ripe, other is just like an apple, firm when ripe. Persimmon is packed with vitamin C and contains potassium, iron and calcium. The good age for introduction is 10 months.
Dragon fruit: Known as pitahaya, this fruit is high in antioxidants. Good source of Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C. Also they are high in fiber. Some moms here, start giving this fruit as early as 6 months. I guess it’s safe:o) You can give to your baby as it is. Just cut in half and scoop the flesh out. They are two types, the red flesh one is the most delicious.
www.fussybabyfood.blogspot.com
Article Source: What I found out about tropical fruits for kids
Pregnancy – Conceiving Tips: Five Super Foods to Boost Fertility
Posted by in Pregnancy on January 24th, 2010
Extensive research on infertility indicates that proper nutrition can increase your chances of pregnancy. Conceiving requires a regular menstrual cycle and quality cervical mucus, which in turn is affected by the kind of food you eat. Cutting out unhealthy trans-fats from your diet is a good start. Although you can obtain vitamins and nutrients from a pre-natal vitamin, nutrients from organic sources are utilized more effectively than those from supplements. So don’t depend on your vitamin supplements alone to stay well-nourished; take charge of your fertility by including these five super-foods in your diet.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain which reduces inflammation and breaks up proteins that prevent embryo implantation. The highest concentration of bromelain can be found in the core, but the tart, juicy pineapple flesh is just as beneficial. If you’re going through an IVF or IUI cycle, consume a cup of sliced pineapple for five days, beginning on the first day of the embryo transfer. If you’re conceiving using a timed intercourse cycle, eat a cup of sliced pineapple for five days, starting on day one of ovulation. Make sure you don’t eat high amounts of pineapple too early in your cycle because this can make your cervical mucus more acidic which is not ideal for conception.
Oysters
You’re probably aware of oysters’ legendary aphrodisiac effect, but did you know that scientific studies back up their efficacy for improving sperm quality? This delicious mollusk contains high levels of zinc, which is needed to produce healthy sperm, sperm-friendly semen, and promote sperm motility. There are no studies that examine the effect of oysters on women but at the very least, they won’t hurt your fertility if you decide to eat a plateful of them with your man.
Full fat dairy
Most of us probably buy low-fat milk rather than its full-fat counterpart, but it turns out that a high amount of low-fat dairy increases the risk of anovulation. The large-scale Nurses’ Health Study done by Harvard Medical School researchers discovered that women who ate at least two portions of low-fat dairy foods were 85% more likely to experience ovulatory disorders. On the other hand, women who ate full-fat dairy foods at least once a day had a 25% reduced risk of infertility. Sounds like a great excuse to binge on ice cream, but the researchers say this only work if you don’t increase your daily calorie intake or overall saturated fat consumption. Once you get pregnant, switch back to low-fat dairy to limit the amount of saturated fats in your diet.
Shitake mushrooms
Research has revealed that shitake mushrooms are 40 times more potent than wheat germ in the strong antioxidant L-ergothionein . In fact, they may contain more of this antioxidant than any other food. Numerous studies have indicated that seminal oxidative stress has a very significant negative effect on male fertility. Consuming shitake mushrooms, with their high levels of antioxidants, can go a long way towards counteracting oxidation and improving sperm health.
Molasses
Refined carbohydrates are a big no-no for women trying to conceive. Instead of using white sugar, sweeten your drinks with molasses, the dark byproduct of processed sugarcane. Molasses has high amounts of calcium, iodine, and iron, which can decrease the chances of a miscarriage. It also contains a B-complex vitamin called PABA, which is known to increase the effects of estrogen. Because of its nutritional and energetic content, molasses is also recommended as a home remedy for polycystic ovarian syndrome and irregular periods. For best results use the black strap variety because it is marvelously nutrient rich.
Diana Farrell, M.A. is an author of several popular books on enhancing fertility who has helped many couples realize their dream of parenthood. If you would like more valuable pregnancy – conceiving tips, visit http://www.PregnancySuccessProgram.com.
Article Source: Pregnancy – Conceiving Tips: Five Super Foods to Boost Fertility
