Mothers are confused about what else to use as a complementary food menu for your little one? Try the cucumber, Bun! This fruit is rich in nutrients that are useful for supporting baby's growth and development.
Cucumber or cucumber is a type of fruit that is generally served as a complement in fresh vegetables, pickles, or salads. Although more often a complement than the main menu, the fruit that has a Latin name Cucumis sativus It holds many health benefits, including for babies.
Benefits of Cucumber for MPASI
Cucumber can be one of the ingredients in Mother's MPASI recipes. This fruit, which is often mistaken for a vegetable, contains a variety of nutrients needed by the body. These nutrients include carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and folate.
Seeing the many nutrients contained in cucumbers, it's a shame if you miss this fruit as a complementary food menu for your little one. The benefits that can be obtained include:
1. Healthy digestive system
Cucumber has a fairly high water content, which is around 96%. Because it contains a lot of water, including cucumber as a complementary food menu can help smooth the work of your little one's digestive system and prevent him from experiencing various digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea.
2. Prevent dehydration
In addition to maintaining a healthy digestive tract, serving complementary foods with fruit that has a high water content can also prevent your little one from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration in babies should not be underestimated, Bun. This condition can make your little one weak and look pale, cranky, and reluctant to play.
3. Increase body immunity
So that your little one does not often fall sick and the growth process is more optimal, Mother can include cucumbers in the MPASI menu. This fruit is rich in vitamin C which can act as an antioxidant to protect immune cells from damage caused by excess free radicals.
In addition, a healthy digestive tract also makes the absorption of nutrients from food more optimal. So, your little one's immunity will be more supported and stronger to fight disease.
4. Relieve swelling
Swelling due to bumping or being bitten by mosquitoes can certainly make your little one uncomfortable and fussy. To overcome this, Mother can use cucumber. This fruit contains antioxidants that can help soothe the skin and reduce swelling.
Watch This Before Serving Cucumbers as MPASI
Cucumber contains natural compounds cucurbitacins difficult for the baby's digestive system to digest. So, new cucumbers can be given to babies when their digestive systems are more mature, to be precise, at the age of 9 months.
At this age, you can serve cucumbers by mashing them with a blender. When your little one is 12 months old, you can give cucumbers in the form of lengthwise pieces as finger food.
You can peel the cucumber or serve it with the skin. Cucumber skin will provide more nutrition for the baby. However, if you want to give it to your little one, make sure you wash the cucumber skin thoroughly.
Keep in mind that cucumbers cannot be used as the main menu for complementary foods, but as a complement. Mothers are advised to keep giving your little one other healthy foods, such as fish, eggs, meat, and fruits and vegetables, so that their nutritional needs are met.
In addition, although it is not a food that can trigger allergies, you still need to pay attention to your little one's reaction when he first eats cucumber. If your little one shows allergy symptoms, immediately take him to the doctor for proper treatment.
