Parents often read information about a variety of healthy food suggestions for babies, including those from organic ingredients. There are several reasons for choosing organic food, although that does not mean that the nutritional content is better than ordinary food, like having the benefits of soy milk for babies for example.
Until now, pesticides are still widely used by farmers to protect crops from various fungi, insects and diseases. However, pesticide clearance can leave residues on food products. Therefore, organic food is increasingly becoming an option because it does not use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers for growth.
A study shows that the nutritional content of some organic foods is not much different from ordinary foods. Meanwhile, another study shows that children who eat organic food have very low levels of pesticides in the urine.
However, there is no need to rush to switch to organic food, because organic or non-organic food have the amount of residue that is regulated by the government so that it does not exceed the allowable limit. Also, most organic foods are indeed more expensive than others, making another point to consider.
That’s why, parents could switch to more affordable stuff. Natural foods that come in the form of fruits and vegetables, like the benefits of barley. Another useful vegetable that’s mainly used for making cereals, snacks, and other side dishes, is corn.
Not only delicious, corn is also easy to get and rich in nutrients. Well, for those of you who are confused about finding a delicious and healthy menu for your little baby’s menu, then corn can be the right choice.
Maybe many parents ask themselves, “Can babies eat corn yet?” Well, the answer is obviously Yes. However, there are many things that you need to pay attention to in serving corn to babies. Starting from the selection of the corn, the child’s age, to the cooking process.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), corn is safe for babies, but don’t make corn their first menu. The AAP recommends giving a conventional first meal, such as fruit or vegetable purees, or having the benefits of honey.
If that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction, then you can start giving corn your little ones. However, it may be safer to give corn when the baby is about 8 months old and over.
Now, to reduce the risk of choking when eating corn, the Baby Center recommends giving corn mashed or corn puree, until the baby has teeth or is big enough to be able to chew on corn kernels.
However, if someone in your family is allergic to corn, then you should delay giving corn until the child is over 12 months old or as recommended by the pediatrician. Babies who have eczema should also not eat corn, unless it has been approved by a doctor.
What are the benefits of corn for babies? Here’s some of them :
1. Increases Baby’s Weight
Corn helps in increasing your little one’s weight but is still within reasonable limits. If your little one is underweight, you can give corn to gain weight properly. In 100 grams of corn there are 350 calories so that it can be an effective solution to increase your little one’s weight.
For your little one who has a normal weight, he/she can still eat corn because it will not have an effect on obesity. Corn contains healthy carbohydrates and has no effect on gaining excess body weight. Carbohydrates will be processed in the body so that they can provide energy for your little one.
2. Contains Lots of Fiber
Just like the benefits of Kiwi fruit, corns also have a good amount of fibers. The good fiber content of corn can relieve constipation so it is good for digestion. When it has been processed by the digestive system, your little one’s excretion will be softer.
So that your little one will find it easier to carry out the process of removing food waste from his body. Sometimes your little one may find it difficult to defecate because of a lack of fiber.
3. Contains Nutritious Compounds
The corns also contain phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and iron. This content will optimize your little one’s brain development. The phosphorus content can help optimize bone health. Potassium and magnesium play an important role in muscle and nerve function.
Iron from corn can help to optimize your little one’s brain development. This content is certainly very much needed by your little one in his/her development stage.
4. Protects Blood Cells
Protecting blood cells is very important as a protector against many serious diseases. You can find it in several healthy meals, like benefits of barley tea, or, the corns. By consuming corn, your little one’s blood cells will be protected.
The vitamin E content of corn can provide good antioxidant properties that can protect blood cells from damage. Not only protects the blood cells, its antioxidant content also prevents damage to other cells and DNA in your little one’s body. Corn flour that has been processed for a long time contains ferulic acid. This content is an anti-carcinogenic that can fight cancer.
5. Contains Lots of Vitamin C
Another content that corn has is vitamin C. This content functions to prevent diaper rash and dry skin on your little one. In addition, vitamin C from corn will protect the skin of your little one from free radicals when outdoors.
Their skin is still sensitive so it will be prone to disease. However, by eating corn, this can still be overcome easily.