Sweet potatoes are loved by all people, including children, because of their sweet and delicious taste. Not only that, this sweet potato also has a myriad of health benefits. But the question is, is it safe to give sweet potatoes to children, especially toddlers?
Sweet potatoes contain a variety of nutrients needed by the body, including carbohydrates, fiber, protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, as well as vitamins A, B6, C, and D. Sweet potatoes are also known to contain lots of antioxidants, especially purple and orange sweet potatoes, or the health benefits of japanese sweet potato.
Are Sweet Potatoes Safe for Toddlers?
Seeing the nutritional content, sweet potatoes are very good for children because they can help the process of growth and development. Various colors of sweet potatoes can also be used to attract children’s attention.
You can introduce sweet potatoes to your toddlers from 6 months old or when you start introducing solid foods. You shouldn’t give it as a whole, process it first into puree or pup, so it can be easier to digest.
Furthermore, when your kid reaches 9 months old or more, sweet potatoes can be given in the form of finger food because the ability to chew and grasp them is better than before.
Apart from puree and finger food, you can also make sweet potatoes into various menus, you know, such as donuts, or pudding. Sweet potatoes, including its sweet potatoes leaves health benefits, can also be processed in various ways, from steaming, roasting, frying, to stir-frying. However, make sure the texture of the sweet potato is adapted to your kid’s age.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potato for Toddlers
- Good for Tummy
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and antioxidants. Both of these ingredients are good for consumption to treat digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea.
These tubers also contain two types of fiber, namely soluble and insoluble fiber, and these two things can be useful for maintaining overall digestive health.
The soft texture of sweet potatoes, especially when pureed, is considered to be easy for the baby to digest and helps the feeding system work optimally. To further optimize the result, you can also introduce the health benefits of mesclun salad.
- Keeps Weight Under Control
Eating sweet potatoes can help meet children’s calorie intake. So, don’t be surprised if this is considered an effective type of healthy food for kids, especially for those who are underweight.
The high calorie content but low fat in sweet potatoes can also function as a weight gain for children. This type of food can also help maintain children’s weight and make optimal growth and development.
- Increases Immune System
Sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene, which when consumed can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Not only that, sweet potatoes are also known to be rich in vitamins C and E. These types of vitamins are very important to help maintain children’s immunity so they don’t get sick easily.
In addition, vitamin A and antioxidants in sweet potatoes are also considered good for maintaining intestinal health. Having a healthy intestine is an important part of supporting immunity. You can also introduce the health benefits of yoghurt to further optimize this benefit.
- Prevents Anemia
Sweet potatoes contain calcium and iron. Both are very important to support optimal baby growth. Iron in sweet potatoes is good for preventing anemia in children. While the calcium in it plays an important role in strengthening your little one’s bones.
- Effectively Supports Toddlers’ Growth
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and minerals that are good for optimizing children’s growth and development. There are several vitamins that are owned by sweet potatoes such as vitamins A, C, E, K, B1 to B9.
Children need these vitamins in order to reach developmental milestones optimally and on time. So, by giving sweet potatoes as a snack, moms can directly support their kids’ growth.
- Good for Eyes Health
Eating sweet potatoes can also help maintain children’s eye health. The reason is, sweet potatoes are the best source of vitamin A which is delicious and safe for consumption by your little one, similar to the health benefits of japanese persimmon.
A deficiency in vitamin A can increase the risk of developing eye health problems, including a special condition of blindness known as xerophthalmia. Eating foods rich in beta carotene, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body, can help prevent this condition.
The anthocyanin compounds in sweet potatoes can also help protect eye cells from damage, and are significantly beneficial for maintaining overall eye health.
- Great Energy Source
Having a good calorie content which is quite high, purple sweet potato is good for consumption as a source of energy for children. Especially if your little one is an active child, who needs a lot of energy to be able to do activities.
Every 100 grams of sweet potato usually contains 86 good calories, making it a healthy food choice, especially for underweight children. The high calorie content in sweet potatoes aids in weight gain and physical development in children.
Caution and Recommendation
After knowing the information above, now you no longer need to hesitate to give sweet potatoes as a healthy snack or a source of carbohydrates for your child. Plus, sweet potatoes are also easy to find and relatively cheap.
However, pay attention to how the sweet potato is cooked. Consumption of fried, roasted, or roasted sweet potatoes can cause blood sugar levels to spike. So, try your little one not to overeat sweet potatoes to avoid obesity.
Although it is rare, some children may experience allergies when eating sweet potatoes. If your kids experience allergy symptoms, such as rash, vomiting, swollen lips and eyelids, or even shortness of breath and fainting, immediately take him to a doctor or emergency room for treatment.