Orange is rich in nutrients, relieves constipation, prevents rickets, good for whooping cough, treats diarrhea, good for common cold and cough, remedy for indigestion, helps in recovery form typhoid fever, boosts immunity, improves vision and curbs gum bleeding.
Oranges are undoubtedly one of the most commonly consumed fruits in the world. Many people seem to love orange and products containing orange. This fruit includes health benefits like supply of essential nutrients, control of dyspepsia, common cure for cold and cough, a natural laxative and prevention of rickets. Orange is believed to have originated in southern China or Northern India. During the 15th century, orange was introduced to the western world by Vasco da Gama after leaving India.
Oranges are also a great source of Vitamin C, with so many benefits in store; it is quite natural to feed this fruit to your kid. However, you need to be clear about the pros and cons of orange in your kid’s diet. In this article, we will discuss the health benefits of orange, along with the precautions to be taken as well as some lip smacking recipes. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about oranges.
In this article:
Can Oranges Be Introduced into Babies’ Diet?
15 Health Benefits of Orange for Babies
Precautions to Be Taken While Giving Oranges to Your Baby
Nutritional Value of Oranges
What are Mandarin Oranges?
Recipes for Babies
Can Oranges Be Introduced into Babies’ Diet?
The introduction of oranges into baby food has been concerning for mothers and doctors alike. This is because orange belongs to the citrus family and citrus fruits can cause allergies in babies. It is safe to say that introducing oranges as part of the baby is a good idea. It’s not only about the taste of oranges, but it is also about the nutrients that are present in oranges. These nutrients are needed for your child’s proper growth. The age at which infants can be fed oranges is between 6-8 months. Even toddlers can have oranges, but you have to be careful with them because they might have a tendency to eat it on their own, and as a result mess it up.
15 Health Benefits of Orange for Babies
Orange is not only a tasty fruit but also a healthy one. Some of these health benefits are especially helpful for children and infants, such as:
Rich Supply of Nutrients
Oranges are a good source of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are highly needed for kids. They are beneficial for a baby’s first year of development, which is a very critical period. Orange juice can be given to infants with physical development issues, as the nutrition present in the fruit helps them grow.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia or indigestion is one of the most common conditions that kids face. As the digestive system of babies is very weak, they should have easily digestible foods. The nutrition present in orange is useful in this case.
Constipation
Due to lack of dietary fiber in baby food, babies and toddlers might have to face constipation at times. Feeding infants with fruits, especially oranges can be one of the best ways to avoid constipation and promoting good health. Oranges contain a high amount of dietary fiber, which is useful in eliminating constipation in babies.
Prevents Rickets
Rickets usually develops during infancy. In this condition, bones are weakened and softened due to lack of calcium and phosphate. Oranges are rich in these minerals and hence, feeding your babies with oranges can prevent the development of rickets and other diseases.
Remedy for Common Cold and Cough
Kids fall sick often because of cold and cough. Orange juice with honey and salt can act as an effective remedy against these ailments. It is also known to protect against secondary infections associated with cold and cough.
Remedy Against Whooping Cough
Orange juice also acts as a remedy for whooping cough. Unlike regular cough, whooping cough is highly contagious. Orange juice diluted in the same quantity of water should be given to the baby along with wet packs to throat and chest as needed.
For Treating Mumps or Parotitis
Mumps or parotitis is a viral and contagious disease. This disease spreads in children than in infants. Infants are mostly immune to this disease. Children between the ages of 5-15 years are very susceptible to this disease. One of the treatments includes giving orange juice along with other fruit juices. Orange juice can be given with warm water and should be diluted up to 50% (Dr. HK Bakhru, Nature Cure for Children).
Treating Diarrhea
Severe diarrhea can be very dangerous, at least in the case of infants and children. In such cases, giving orange juice can reduce diarrhea significantly. Fresh orange juice diluted up to 50% with water should be given to the baby.
Remedy for Indigestion
Orange juice can also be given when your child is suffering from indigestion. Indigestion in children can be a result of overeating, eating very quickly, eating without chewing properly and eating foods which are not cooked properly. In such cases, the child should be kept on raw juices for a day or two. These juices can include orange juice as well, which is 50% diluted with lukewarm water. After the juice diet, proper care should be taken to cleanse the bowels and should be put on fruit diet and slowly be put on regular diet.
Recovery from Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is caused by the spread of salmonella typhi bacteria. This is a very contagious disease and the symptoms range from fluctuations in fever with headache, cough and severe abdominal pain. Typhoid fever can hamper a patient’s digestive power and only easily digestible foods or liquid foods must be given. As the child is recovering from typhoid fever, orange juice is perhaps one of the best liquid foods that can given.
Boosts Immunity
If you want to boost the immunity of your child, then feed them oranges. These healthy fruits contain high levels of vitamins and minerals beneficial for the growth and health of kids. Also, the polyphenols present in the fruit help boost their immunity to keep infections and ailments at bay.
Remedy for Anemia
Vitamin C helps your baby and toddler absorb iron, which increases hemoglobin count, and therefore prevents anemia in kids. Just serve your kid a glass of fresh orange juice regularly and help them have a healthy hemoglobin count.
Improves Vision
Oranges are a rich source of vitamin A, flavonoids and phytonutrients, such as alpha and beta carotenes, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, and nutrients. These things are the things that help maintain healthy skin and mucous membrane of your kid’s eye. The consumption of citric acid also enhances your child’s vision and eye health significantly, which reduces their risk of glaucoma later in life.
Curbs Gum Bleeding and Tooth Loss
Vitamin C produces collagen in your kid’s body. Collagen is a crucial element of bones, tendons, blood vessels, and ligaments. Lack of vitamin C can make your child suffer from symptoms of scurvy, such as gum bleeding, tooth loss, acute pain in the joints, and easy bruising. Give your kids fresh orange slices as an effective solution for eliminating the symptoms and hazards of scurvy.
Is a Healthy Snack
Oranges are healthy and filling, so they act as really safe and delicious snacks for your kids, instead of the junk that is usually available to them.
Precautions to Be Taken While Giving Oranges to Your Baby
Choose an orange that can be peeled and remove the fibers that surround the flesh. Also the orange flesh contains seeds in it which have to be removed.
Peel, Fiber and Seeds
The peel, fiber and seeds are the ones which hinder a great orange experience for your child. Choose an orange that can be peeled and remove the fibers that surround the flesh. Also the orange flesh contains seeds in it which have to be removed.
Orange Mash
Follow the above mentioned precaution about peeling. If you are still concerned about whether or not your baby would be able to eat an orange, then mash the orange flesh so that it would be very easy for your baby to eat the orange fruit.
Only Sweet Oranges
Make sure to give only sweet oranges to your baby. Sometimes, a small amount of sourness can be present in the fruit, which the babies might not like.
Only Fresh Fruit
It is also important to give only fresh and properly ripened fruit to your baby. Check whether the fruit is firm in all directions. If the fruit has few ‘soft spots’ try avoiding that fruit.
Nutritional Value of Oranges
| Nutrition Component | Value per 100 g | Nutrition Component | Value per 100 g |
| Water | 86 g | Vitamin C | 48.5 mg |
| Energy | 49 kcal | Thiamin | 0.087 mg |
| Protein | 1.04 g | Riboflavin | 0.040 mg |
| Total Lipid (fat) | 0.30 g | Niacin | 0.274 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 11.89 g | Vitamin B-6 | 0.063 mg |
| Fiber | 2.5 g | Folate | 39 ug |
| Calcium | 40 mg | Vitamin A | 230 IU |
| Iron | 0.09 mg | ||
| Magnesium | 10 mg | ||
| Phosphorous | 17 mg | ||
| Potassium | 179 mg | ||
| Zinc | 0.06 mg |
What are Mandarin Oranges?
Mandarin oranges are a small, loose-skinned variety of the orange that is commonly available, typically sweeter and less acidic than the larger oranges. They are considered to have originated in India and then travelled across China, where they picked up the name “mandarin”. These varieties are usually sweeter in nature. You can safely feed them to your baby after 6 months of age, but make sure you consult the doctor first.
Recipes for Babies
Although orange recipes are commonly available, recipes specifically for babies are seldom available. Worry not, for we have compiled a list of recipes which are easy to make and something your baby will love. The lists of recipes are as follows:
Orange Baby Sherbet
This is a tasty frozen orange baby dish, perfect for the warmer months. It is also easily made with readily available ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe orange (peeled, seeded and cut into chunks)
- 1 cup apple juice
Directions
- Add orange to a blender and blend until a smooth liquid.
- Add apple juice to blender and further blend.
- Pour into a freezer-proof container and freeze relatively firm (approximately 1 hour depending on your make and model of freezer).
- Pour back into the blender and freeze until smooth.
- Return to container and freeze until firm.
Orange Banana Baby Mash
This is a delicious flavor variation to plain old banana mash. Your baby will like it, as it is different from the food they usually have.
Ingredients
- 1 banana (sliced)
- 4 tablespoons of orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 teaspoons of apple juice (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
- Warm olive oil in a pan over medium heat until it starts to bubble.
- Add sliced banana to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute.
- Add orange juice to the pan and continue to sauté for a further minute.
- Serve warm, as is or mash to a consistency that your baby is comfortable consuming.
Orange and Carrot Puree
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon orange juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1/2 cup carrots
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
Directions
- In a saucepan bring water to boil and cook carrots until soft (or steam if preferred).
- Combine cooked carrots and remaining ingredients in a blender and puree until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve warm.
Baby Orange Julius
This is a delicious summer beverage with a subtle orange flavor. Your baby needs lots of water, so this is a nice way to feed them fluid.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/4 cup apple juice (store bought, unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup milk (or breast milk or baby formula)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- (Optional) 1/2 cup ice
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until a runny consistency.
- Serve chilled.
Orange Yogurt Popsicle
This is a nutritious and effective method of keeping your baby cooler in the summer months.
Ingredients
- 1 orange (peeled seeded)
- 1 cup natural yogurt
- 2 teaspoons of apple juice (unsweetened)
Directions
- Add the orange to a blender and puree thoroughly. Add yogurt and blend until a single uniform mixture.
- Transfer your yogurt mixture to your possible molds.
- Freeze overnight or until solid.
Therefore, to conclude, orange as a fruit has numerous health benefits, which you must make your baby reap, as kids need all kinds of nutrients and healthy things for growing up as healthy people. However, always keep in mind to consult your pediatrician when you try to feed any new thing to your baby.
References
https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-11-107
