A responsible mother like you goes through endless thoughts before you can introduce a new food to your little one. And this love for your baby has brought you here. So, you are wondering if jackfruit for babies is safe, right? Take it easy, the fruit is not a common allergen! On the contrary, it offers multiple benefits at the same time such as higher energy levels, stronger bones, better digestion, and so forth.
You simply have to introduce Jackfruit in fewer amounts to your infant; 1-2 teaspoons is good to start with. And slowly, you should raise it to 2-3 tbs. But after their first serving, watch out for 3-4 days for any allergic reactions. If nothing happens, you’ve got a green signal to continue to increase the quantity slowly. Moreover, Jackfruit should be given as puree or mash to babies around 6 months of age. But you must be close to your baby as they consume your healthy and tasty recipes of this nutritious fruit. This is because some babies may be allergic to it, and their bodies may instantly react after eating it.
In This Article
- What is Jackfruit?
- When Can You Introduce Jackfruit to Your Baby?
- Nutritional Value of Jackfruit
- Is Jackfruit Healthy For Babies?
- Amazing Top 5 Health Benefits of Jackfruit For Babies
- How Do You Introduce Jackfruits to Your Baby?
- Precautions to Take While Feeding Jackfruit For Babies
- Are There Any Side Effects of Jackfruit For Babies?
- Can Jackfruit Work as a Meat Alternative?
- Is Jackfruit a Common Choking Hazard For Babies?
- Can Jackfruit Help Babies to Pass Stool Easily?
- Top 2 Healthy and Tasty Jackfruit Recipes For Babies
- FAQ’s
What is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit grows on trees, and its origin goes back to ancient times. It is native to tropical climate regions like south and southeast Asia – India, Bangladesh, Thailand, etc. For hundreds of years, Jackfruit has been satisfying people with its taste, and it has also been healing people with its medicinal properties. It’s highly famous for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Moreover, its rich antioxidants make it even more useful.
When Can You Introduce Jackfruit to Your Baby?
The healthy and delicious recipes of Jackfruit can be served to your baby when they get at least 6 months old. However, the appropriate age( recommended by doctors) is 1-1.5 years. By this age, your baby will be comfortable with eating finger foods and will be able to eat this fruit without the risk of choking. Before this age, you will need to feed jackfruit mash to your baby.
Nutritional Value of Jackfruit
One cup(165 grams) of sliced jackfruit will nourish your little one’s body with these nutrients.
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 155 |
| Protein | 3 grams |
| Carbs | 40 grams |
| Fibre | 3 grams |
| Vitamin A | 10% of the RDI |
| Vitamin C | 18% of the RDI |
| Potassium | 14% of the RDI |
| Copper | 15% of the RDI |
| Calcium | 56.1 milligrams |
*RDI- Recommended Dietary intake
Is Jackfruit Healthy For Babies?
The B-vitamins found in Jackfruit help babies to have a sound and developed neurological system. The healthy fibre quantity is extremely effective for a well-functioning stomach. This fruit is not that popular for its fat portion, but it has some fat in it which will be beneficial for the brain. Most importantly, its antioxidants boost and create a strong wall against eye problems and even life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Amazing Top 5 Health Benefits of Jackfruit For Babies
Serving Jackfruit to your infant blesses them with numerous health benefits.
1. Packs the Immune System With Strength
Jackfruit’s significant quantity of vitamin C makes it a natural antioxidant. It powers your baby’s immunity and their body’s ability to battle free radicals. And free radicals can be responsible for your baby falling into the claws of many diseases.
2. Helps to Develop Strong Bones
Eating Jackfruit will supply a fair amount of calcium to your little one’s body. And this ensures that their bones are developing well. Also, many bone-related problems won’t touch your baby.
[Read : Calcium For Babies]
3. Improves Digestion
The enormous amount of soft fibre can easily be seen once you cut open the Jackfruit. Having such healthy levels of fibre provides a helping hand to your infant’s body in creating roughage in the bowels. Furthermore, this makes their stool soft and easy to pass. Thus, this makes room for easy digestion.
4. Protects the eyes
Jackfruit gives a good amount of Vitamin A to your baby. And Vitamin A is good for their eyes. By showing its antioxidant properties, Vitamin A improves their sight. It keeps free radicals away from their eyes. Furthermore, it forms a barrier or layer on the cornea, making the mucus membrane strong. Thus, you can take a sigh of relief by knowing that they won’t easily catch any eye infections.
5. Enhances Energy Levels
Jackfruit will nourish your little one with a healthy amount of carbohydrates and calories. And sugars such as fructose and sucrose are present at healthy levels. Digesting all of these is not a big deal for your baby’s body.
Further, the category of sugar in Jackfruit is called “Slowly Available glucose” or SAG. Such categories of sugars release very slowly in the body. So, are you able to see an amazing benefit? Your baby can dance around with super high energy levels, and you won’t have to worry about high glucose levels.
How Do You Introduce Jackfruit to Your Baby?
After the seeds have been taken care of, and the flesh is not there anymore, the fruit should be pureed or given as a mash. This is the best way to introduce jackfruit mash to very young babies who are more than 6 months old. As your baby grows and gets ready to chew finger foods, you can introduce the fruit cut into age-appropriate pieces.
Precautions to Take While Feeding Jackfruit For Babies
Here are some measures and steps your can take when feeding jackfruit to your baby. If you serve jackfruit to your infant by keeping all of these points in mind, you will save them from risks such as allergies or side effects.
- Have a keen eye while shopping for this fruit; dark and soft spots are a good sign of taste in fruit.
- Look if it has a sweet and strong smell, and you should be able to slightly squeeze the fruit.
- Don’t buy Jackfruits which look all brown. They will rot very soon.
- Make sure that the flesh and seeds are removed before you make a puree or mash.
- Give them around a teaspoon of jackfruit and wait for at least 3 days. This waiting time is to see how your baby’s body reacts to it.
- If there are no symptoms like swelling of their face, rashes, itchiness, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or burning sensation in the mouth, you can go ahead and increase the quantity bit by bit. But take them instantly to a doctor if such symptoms manifest.
- Feed not more than 2-3 tbsp of Jackfruit, two times per day. Overconsumption is bound to cause health issues.
[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]
Are There Any Side Effects of Jackfruit For Babies?
Some babies are, unfortunately, allergic to this fruit. Bodies of babies with pollen or latex allergies won’t react nicely once they eat it. Babies who have blood-related health problems should not eat it because coagulation will increase. Moreover, if food allergies are a part of your family tree, you must seek a pediatrician’s advice before introducing any new food with the possibility of allergies to your baby’s diet. Other than all this, never feed it more than the recommended dietary intake to prevent diarrhea.
Can Jackfruit Work as a Meat Alternative?
Although the protein content in Jackfruit is not as much as is found in pork, chicken, beef, and different meats, it still holds ground as a good substitute for meat. However, you should still not stop giving meat to your baby.
Is Jackfruit a Common Choking Hazard For Babies?
If you don’t serve it in the right way, yes. Babies may find it an uphill task to chew Jackfruit. Therefore, de-seeed, cook well and mash before giving to your baby to eat. Or chop it thoroughly if you wish to feed it fresh. Your baby can also eat the seeds once they are cooked, and the membrane is removed to create a mash. Stay close to your little one as they eat.
[Read : Infant Choking]
Can Jackfruit Help Babies to Pass Stool Easily?
Jackfruit pulp is filled with water and fibre. And both of them are simply too much of a good combination to help a baby to have easy poo time. So, yes, it’s good for passing stool.
Top 2 Healthy and Tasty Jackfruit Recipes For Babies
Very young babies should be given jackfruit in a simple form. Besides, the taste of Jackfruit alone is so remarkable that it doesn’t need any extra mouth-watering flavors.
1. Jackfruit Puree
Cut open the Jackfruit. Take care of all the seeds until you have only the soft parts. Cook it slightly for a few minutes. And then, make a puree out of them in a mixy.
2. Jackfruit Coconut Rice Porridge
With dry basmati rice, full-fat coconut milk, ginger, and cashew, you can prepare the most delicious jackfruit recipe for your baby to eat.
The best time to give Jackfruit to your baby is always after 1-1.5 years. And if you wish to serve it before this time, you must serve it in puree or mash form. Start with a few teaspoons and keep on increasing it until you reach 2-3 tbsp per day.
FAQ’s
1. Does Jackfruit Cause Gas For Babies?
Yes. If given in an excess amount without keeping in mind the advisable intake, it can lead to stomach problems, and also gas.
2. Is Jackfruit a Common Allergen?
Although Jackfruit allergy is quite uncommon in babies, still, you should always introduce the fruit in minimal quantities.
3. What Part of Jackfruit is Poisonous?
Jackfruit seeds, especially in raw form, are not healthy. Thus, make sure you properly cook them before you include them in your recipes.
Read Also: Plum For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions
