Cantaloupe is a melon belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, consisting of watermelons and honeydews. The soft and sweet pulpy summer fruit may be something you would wish to feed to your baby. But while considering cantaloupe for babies, it is important to know about its safety and health aspects. Besides being sweet and soft, cantaloupe is a nutrient-rich fruit and is easily digestible. However, before giving any food to your baby as part of a weaning diet, knowing its health benefits and safety is important. Read on to know about cantaloupe, including how and when you should feed it to your baby, its health benefits, storage techniques, and healthy recipes.
When Can Babies Eat Cantaloupes?
Babies can consume ripe cantaloupe from the age of six months when they begin to consume other solid foods. You can first serve cantaloupe in mash or puree form. Once the baby can digest the fruit without any apparent concerns, you may add cantaloupe to other foods. You can serve half-moon-shaped slices or wedges of cantaloupe to babies between nine and ten months. Once the baby’s pincer grasp refines between ten and 18 months, you may serve them small, bite-sized pieces to promote self-feeding. Since cantaloupe is a firm and slippery food, never leave your baby unattended while they are self-feeding.
Nutritional Value Of Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a muskmelon variety that can offer several nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber (1). One small wedge or slice (35g) of cantaloupe can offer the following nutrients to your baby (2)(3)(4). AI = Adequate Intake – nutrient level assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy RAE = Retinol Activity Equivalents Source: USDA and Oregon State University
Possible Health Benefits Of Cantaloupe For Babies
Consuming cantaloupe can be beneficial for the babies in the long run. Below are some notable properties of cantaloupe that reflect its long-term benefits. Beyond these benefits, studies indicate that cantaloupe could have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects, too(2).
Steps To Store And Select Cantaloupe
Melons grow on the ground and are at risk of contamination with pathogens, such as bacteria. Therefore, proper selection and storage of cantaloupe are preeminent for its safe consumption.
Steps to select cantaloupe
Steps to store cantaloupe
Precautions To Take While Feeding Cantaloupe To Babies
Below are some safety precautions to ensure cantaloupe’s safe consumption in babies.
Healthy Cantaloupe Recipes For Babies
Here are some healthy and age-appropriate cantaloupe baby food ideas you could try.
1. Cantaloupe puree (6 months+)
You will need:
1 cantaloupe/muskmelon slice (peeled, deseeded, and chopped)
How to prepare:
2. Cantaloupe and banana puree (8 months+)
You will need:
¼ cup cantaloupe (peeled, deseeded, and chopped)
½ banana (peeled and chopped)
½ tsp dry fruits powder
Breast milk or formula
How to prepare:
3. Cantaloupe salad (10 months+)
You will need:
½ cup cantaloupe (peeled, deseeded, and chopped into cubes)
¼ cup strawberries (chopped into small cubes)
¼ cup kiwi (chopped into small cubes)
¼ tsp fresh lemon juice
Pinch of black salt
How to prepare:
4. Cantaloupe smoothie (12 months+)
You will need:
1 cup cantaloupe (peeled, desserts, and chopped)
½ cup frozen mango (chopped)
½ cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
½ cup almond milk
1 frozen banana (chopped)
1tsp dry fruits powder
How to prepare:
