White cabbage is a useful vegetable, but it can lead to some problems in the baby’s immature gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, when introducing such a product for complementary foods, you must strictly follow the rules regarding age and method of preparation.
Structure
Many parents may have a question not only about when to introduce white cabbage to a child, but also about its composition. They try to introduce this product into the child’s diet due to the large amount of vitamins, micro and macro elements. White cabbage is rich in:
- vitamins C, E, K, D, group B and rare U. Few people have heard about the latter, moreover, it is not synthesized in the body, but its regular use can cure diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, normalizes liver function and increases tone small and large intestine. For the child, the most valuable is vitamin D, which strengthens bones and prevents the development of rickets. Vitamin C in white cabbage is stored for 8 months, therefore, even in spring, using this product, immunity can be maintained at a high level;
- minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur;
- volatile - fight against such microbes as Staphylococcus aureus, tubercle bacillus and others;
- organic acids, for example, tartronic, which does not allow carbohydrates to turn into fats and alkalizes the contents of the stomach;
- amino acids;
- glucose;
- Sahara;
- cellulose.
The composition practically does not change during heat treatment or preservation, but the latter type of cooking cabbage is categorically not recommended for children, since the vinegar in the dish will harm the digestive tract. Also, in sauerkraut, the content of histamine is increased, which can provoke an allergic reaction.
Beneficial features
The rich composition determines all the useful properties of white cabbage:
- accelerates the growth and restoration of cells, promotes hematopoiesis;
- normalizes the work of almost all internal organs, metabolism, which means it helps to reduce weight, eliminates constipation and restores the gastrointestinal tract;
- heals wounds and improves skin condition, which is why it is recommended to apply cabbage leaf to burns and other wounds;
- strengthens bones and teeth;
- normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- helps to cleanse the body of toxins, waste, excess fluid;
- supports immunity due to the high content of ascorbic acid;
- tones the body, gives energy and helps relieve fatigue;
- stimulates the brain;
- increases appetite, but weight gain does not occur.
The value lies also in the fact that all useful properties are preserved throughout the entire shelf life.
Effect on the digestive tract
White cabbage has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract of the child. Vitamin U, or methylmethionine sulfonium, prevents any damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Due to this, the inclusion of cabbage in the diet allows not only to exclude the development of diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, but also helps to cure them. But this fact should not be decisive in the question of when it is possible to give a child boiled white cabbage.
Also, cabbage can help get rid of any digestive disorders, for example, it stimulates a sluggish intestines. Fiber, which is part of the vegetable, activates the intestines and cleanses the body of toxins and toxins. Cabbage allows you to get rid of constipation and other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Possible harm
Despite the large number of useful properties, this vegetable can also cause harm to the body, so you need to think in advance about whether it is possible to give the child white cabbage. This is due to the fact that the product is absorbed for a long time and increases gas formation. All problems are connected with this:
- deterioration of the stool, despite the fact that cabbage can cope with constipation;
- the appearance of an allergic reaction (the product itself is hypoallergenic, a negative reaction can occur to other vegetables or fruits);
- the appearance of discomfort in the abdomen, which may be accompanied by pain.
You can avoid such negative consequences by properly introducing cabbage into the baby’s diet, preparing the product according to age.
When can a child give white cabbage?
It is recommended to begin acquaintance of a child with white cabbage only after broccoli and cauliflower are introduced into the diet. This should happen no earlier than at the age of eight months.
If the baby often has problems with digestion, he suffers from colic, flatulence, diarrhea periodically appears, then it is worth postponing the meeting until the first birthday. When giving a child white cabbage in this case, the doctor will tell you.
Cabbage in a different form, in addition to boiled, must be introduced gradually:
- fresh and fried cabbage can only be given to children over three years old;
- casseroles, stews, dishes with meat, cabbage soup can be prepared for children over a year old;
- borsch is considered a heavy dish, so it can only be added to the diet at the age of two years.
Information on when to give your child white cabbage should be taken into account when drawing up the menu.
In what form to give?
The first dish of white cabbage for the child should be soup puree. But giving this product in its pure form is not recommended, therefore, you also need to add carrots, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes or any other vegetable that is already present in the baby’s diet.
The first portion should not exceed half a teaspoon, especially if the parents are not sure when to give the baby white cabbage. After this, you need to carefully monitor the child. If there are signs of poisoning, intolerance, then re-feed white cabbage is not necessary, but rather seek medical help. If the child feels comfortable, then the product can be included in the diet, but it is often not worth cooking it.
For such small people, white cabbage (from what age can be given to a child from this article) can be served as part of:
- vegetable soups;
- stew;
- dishes with meat and poultry.
It is strictly forbidden to give the child a stump of cabbage, since it accumulates in itself all the bad substances from the soil, water and air.
A few recipes for children
To prepare meals for children, you need to purchase white cabbage of only the highest quality. Heads of cabbage should be free of cracks, black spots and other damage.
For a child at the age of one year, you can cook cabbage soup on vegetable or chicken broth. For this dish, you need to boil 200 g of chicken breast, while you need to drain the first broth after boiling and do not forget to remove the foam. Remove the chicken, put a quarter of cabbage, previously chopped, into this broth. While cooking the main ingredient, you can peel potatoes, onions and carrots. You need to add them sequentially. Add boiled breast to the soup at the very end. Additionally, you can pour a little olive oil.
Stew cabbage preferably in milk. Giving a baby white cabbage in this form is possible at the age of 9 months. To prepare it, you need to grind one cabbage leaf, pour it with a mixture of 100 ml of milk and 50 ml of water. Put out. After softening, add salt and butter to the dish. Put out a little more. This dish can be either independent or as a complement to the side dish.
Complementary foods
Canned products can be purchased in cases where it is difficult to find fresh cabbage for sale or vegetables are delivered to stores from greenhouses. Such nutrition is presented in the form of mono - and multicomponent mashed potatoes. The latter can be given to the child only if the child is already familiar with the products that make up the composition.
But at the same time, it is worth remembering that manufacturers can add preservatives, to which a particular child's body may inadequately respond. This is especially true for those children who have a tendency to allergies. That is why it is recommended to be wary of such products and be guided by the principle of a gradual increase in servings when introduced into the diet.
Cabbage is a familiar and affordable vegetable for our country. A rich vitamin composition allows you to maintain the child's immune system at the proper level. But to prevent the occurrence of negative reactions of the body to this product, it must be correctly introduced into the diet, which means that you need to know exactly when you can give the baby white cabbage.