Carrot juice is one of the most saturated and healthy drinks. It is equipped with a whole complex of vitamins, minerals and biologically active substances. However, the drink also contains allergens, which are especially dangerous for an unprotected child's body. Further it will be examined in detail from how many months you can give a child carrot juice, and at what age such feeding is most rational.
The chemical composition of carrot juice
Nutritionists around the world argue that carrot juice is a storehouse of all kinds of nutrients that make it possible to activate the body's defenses in the baby, which helps to create the natural resistance of the child's body to infections.
Did you know? Carrots have been actively used by humans for food for more than 4 thousand years, however, until the XV century. the vegetable was an exceptional delicacy.
Among such substances you can find:
- vitamins: E, C, K, H, groups B, A;
- minerals: calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, chlorine, zinc, fluorine, iodine, chromium, etc .;
- beta carotene;
- essential oils;
- saccharides;
- fatty acid.
The nutritional value of the product is presented in the table:
| Substance | 100 g amount |
| Squirrels | 1.2 g |
| Fats | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.7 g |
| Water | 90 g |
| Alimentary fiber | 2.3 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Starch | 0.2 g |
| Organic acids | 0.3 g |
Carrot juice: benefits and harm for children
Carrot juice is a fairly saturated product that can have an instant effect on the body. Its indispensable benefits for children's health, first of all, is a huge concentration of carotene. Thanks to this substance, vitamin A is synthesized in the body, with the help of which the formation of immunity is improved, and the growth of organs and tissues, including the skeletal system, is activated.
- In addition, a combination of important vitamins and minerals makes it possible:
- improve visual acuity;
- eliminate a sharp deficiency in the body of phosphorus, iron and protein;
- activate digestion;
- strengthen the bone system and teeth;
- prevent pathologies of the development of the intestine and thyroid gland;
- improve the work of the heart and nervous system;
- normalize the state of the psyche;
- accelerate the growth of hair and nails;
- increase appetite;
- supply the body with energy.
Important! Sugar and other sweeteners should not be added to freshly squeezed juice, as they can cause tooth decay.
How to make carrot juice for babies
Everyone can prepare a high-quality and balanced drink for the baby, however, you should adhere to several rules of preparation. First of all, you need to choose high-quality carrots. Today in supermarkets you can find an abundance of a variety of carrots, but in most cases it is grown using all kinds of chemical protective equipment and artificial fertilizers.
To prepare a drink for the baby, it is best to buy homemade carrots or take the one that you have grown yourself. Vegetables should be selected medium size, without rot and other defects. Carrots need to be well washed and peeled from the remains of tops and peels. If you have taken a large vegetable, it should definitely be cleaned of a dense core. After the manipulations, the fetus must be soaked in cold water for 2 hours. This will help eliminate all sorts of toxins from the soil.
Important! Carrot juice can interrupt the baby’s appetite, so it is better to give it after the main meal or between meals.
After this, the carrots should be passed through a juicer, and in case of its absence, you can use the usual kitchen grater. The root crop should be grated on the side with the smallest cells, and then carefully squeeze the pulp through cheesecloth, folded 3-4 times. To reduce the irritating effect on digestion, fresh carrot is diluted with clean boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1. After this, the drink can be given to the baby without fear.
Video: how to make carrot juice
How to give carrot juice to a baby
A few decades ago, fresh juices were given to infants to replace water, as well as as the main vitamin base in 3 months. However, such an early introduction of the product into the infant's diet can adversely affect the activity of its fragile body.
From what age
It is recommended to give any juices, including carrot juice, to children no earlier than 5-6 months after birth. In some cases, the product can be given to a 4-month-old baby, however, for this there should be a pediatrician’s recommendation and only if the baby is initially breast-fed. If the baby is kept on full breastfeeding, it is recommended that he give carrot juice no earlier than at 8-12 months.
Did you know? In Portugal, delicious jam is made from carrots. And since, according to European laws, jam for sale can only be made from fruits and berries, carrots in the European Union are officially recognized as fruit.
How often to give
Up to a year, the baby is shown to drink no more than 2-3 tbsp. l carrot juice per day and no more than once a week. This portion must be divided into several receptions, so as not to cause a failure in the digestive system. At the age of 12-15 months, the daily norm can gradually be increased to 50 ml. If the baby refuses a vitamin drink, then it can be diluted with apple, which children usually like more than carrot. They give such a drink no more than 1 time per week, and when the baby reaches the age of 2 years, the number of times is doubled.
Contraindications and possible side effects
The drink has much less contraindications than positive qualities. With controlled use, the product is absolutely harmless to the baby's body, but with its abuse, the following may occur:
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- loss of appetite;
- allergic manifestations on the skin (urticaria, itching, etc.);
- yellowness of the skin.
Rules for storing carrot juice
Freshly squeezed carrot juice should be stored no more than a day. Store it in a dark and dry place, at a temperature of 0 ... + 5 ° C. Any household refrigerator is ideal for this. At room temperature, the drink is undesirable to store, because in just a few hours it will become practically unusable.
To extend the shelf life of carrot juice will help sterilization and rolling it into cans. In this case, in a sealed container at a temperature of +10 ... + 15 ° C, it can maintain its properties throughout the year. However, for feeding the baby it is recommended to withstand the product for no more than 6 months, since by this time all the nutrients in the drink are almost completely inactivated.
Carrot juice is an indispensable top dressing for infants and older children. It contains the perfect ratio of vitamins and valuable minerals. However, infants should not enter the drink into the diet until 6 months of age and gradually.
