Pumpkins of various sizes, such as oblate shape, dark green or golden color, are often seen in the market. These are what people often call melons, pumpkins, etc. Many mothers add pumpkin to their babies’ complementary foods. Do you know what benefits pumpkin has for your baby?

First, eating pumpkin often can enhance the baby's immunity

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the body after eating, which is good for protecting the baby's respiratory system. It is very helpful for the mucous membrane to hinder the invasion of bacteria and viruses, and vitamin A can also prevent dry skin of the baby and promote the development of the baby's vision. In addition, pumpkin also contains vitamin C, B vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients, which play an important role in enhancing the baby's immunity.

Second, eating pumpkin often can promote the growth and development of babies

Pumpkin contains starch, pectin and other polysaccharides, which have a delicate taste, and pectin can also protect the gastric mucosa from immunity. Stimulates and facilitates chewing and digestion. At the same time, pumpkin also contains a certain amount of trace element zinc, which can help babies increase their appetite, prevent dry skin and oral ulcers, and promote their growth and development.

Third, eating pumpkin regularly can also kill insects and detoxify

Pumpkin is not only edible, but also has certain medicinal value. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that “pumpkin is sweet and warm, and can nourish "It replenishes qi, unblocks collaterals and relieves pain, detoxifies and kills insects." This is probably why the old people said that eating raw pumpkin seeds can repel insects. Moreover, pumpkin is rich in pectin, which can absorb harmful substances such as lead, mercury and bacteria in the intestines, reducing the harm to the baby's health.

Fourth, pumpkin also has the effect of lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and preventing cancer

Because pumpkin is rich in cobalt, vitamins, pectin and other substances, pumpkin powder has now been developed. A variety of health foods are used to assist in the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure and the prevention of cancer and other diseases. Therefore, regular consumption of pumpkin has a certain effect in participating in insulin synthesis, reducing excess cholesterol in the body, and enhancing the regeneration ability of liver and kidney cells. It can be seen that it has subtle benefits for the baby's future health.

Tips for babies eating pumpkins:

1. Different varieties of pumpkins have slightly different textures and flavors, such as green skin, yellow-green flesh, fist-sized pumpkins, etc. Pumpkins generally taste sweet and floury, while pumpkins with larger yellow skin generally taste slightly sweet but not too floury. You can choose the flavor your baby likes.

2. Pumpkin is a warm food, and eating too much is not good for digestion. Therefore, if your baby has diarrhea and bloating, it is best not to add pumpkin supplements for the time being, otherwise it will aggravate the baby's discomfort. And don’t eat too much every time. You can arrange to eat a little at noon.

3. There are many ways to make pumpkin, such as steaming it and mixing it with milk to make pumpkin paste, making porridge with rice and millet, stewing it with potatoes and corn, slicing it and then frying it with egg batter, making It can be made into pumpkin steamed buns, pumpkin cakes, etc. Mothers can often change the recipes and feed them to their babies.

4. Pumpkin is easier to store, but if you can’t eat it all at once, it is best to use a clean and dry spoon to scoop out the pulp, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Be careful not to Wash with water before storing, as this may cause hair to grow and deteriorate.

Pumpkin contains starch protein, carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and other ingredients, and is very nutritious. Pumpkin not only has high edible value. And it has a therapeutic effect that cannot be ignored. It can moisten the lungs and replenish qi, reduce phlegm and expel thickened phlegm, expel parasites and detoxify, treat cough and asthma, treat lung abscess and constipation, and has diuretic and beautifying effects. If you want to know more about nutritious food for babies, please enter the 99 Parenting Baby Feeding Channel!