15 Dates Recipes for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids | When Can I give my Baby Dates (2024)

FAQs

How much dates can be given to babies? ›

Typically babies start eating solid foods at 6 months, which is when you can include dates in their 6-month baby food chart. To begin with, you can offer them 1-2 pureed dates, which have been soaked in water and de-seeded. Then, add 1-2 tablespoons of homemade dry fruit powder or dates syrup as a sweetener.

12 months old +:

You can also offer fresh dates in bite-sized pieces as long as they are very soft. The date should mash readily when gently pressed between thumb and pointer finger. Firm and crunchy date varieties should be cooked until fully soft or reserved until the child is older.

Are Dates Good for Babies? With the nutrients found in dates, they are a great option to consider giving your child at the recommended age for them to start more solid foods—usually around 6 months (5, 6).

Enhanced sugars are common in snacks and foods targeting kids. Consuming too much sugar can put children at risk of developing potential health issues. That may range from cavities to obesity or even diabetes. Medjool dates provide a delicious alternative to these snacks.

Nutritional Benefits Of Dates For Babies

They contain all the essential nutrients that are required for your little one's healthy growth and development. 100 grams of dates (medjool type) offer the following nutritional value: Vitamin B9 (Folate) – 15µg.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

The high fibre content in dates also helps with digestion and can prevent constipation in babies.

When introducing dates to your baby, de-seed, soak 1-2 dates in water, grind it to make a puree. Give it as a separate puree or add it to any baby food. Follow three days rule. If your baby does not have any allergies, continue with dates.

Pumpkins, dates, mangoes, coconut milk, corn, tofu, fish are other high-calorie foods you can give your baby for healthy weight gain.

Dates provide a laxative effect that can help deal with constipation and other digestive issues. Constipation is a common health issue. This can occur due to various reasons, such as not drinking enough water, not eating enough fruits and vegetables or not being physically active.

Abdominal issues

Dates are a fantastic source of fibre which unexpectedly can work against them in this situation. Eating too many dates simply results in an excessive intake of fibres which can cause bloating and constipation in the abdomen.

What are the benefits of dates in children? ›

The Benefits of Dates for Kids

Popular varieties of dates include Medjool and Deglet Nour. Dates contain multiple vitamins and minerals, including potassium and calcium, and other helpful things like fiber. Potassium and calcium are minerals that support bone health. Fiber supports stomach and bowel health.

So, if you want to snack on something healthy while also keeping your cholesterol in check, consider adding dates in your diet. Having five to six dates per day is enough for your health. Remember, since it has some amount of sugar added, don't have them in excess as it can lead to high sugar levels and diabetes.

According to the NHS, it's best to avoid giving your baby whole dates until they're at least 12 months old. However, the NHS also says that chopped dried fruit is fine to give earlier, so chopped dates should be fine from about six months – just watch out for the sugar content.

Both dates and date syrup contain the minerals calcium, potassium, and magnesium, but only in small amounts so they aren't considered good sources. So, all things are about equal, except for that all-important fiber.

Foods like potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, dal, ghee, ragi, almonds, yogurt, eggs and milk help the baby to gain weight. Please take a pediatricians' suggestion before you start any of these foods. As always follow a 3 day test rule.

Dates are high in a sugar alcohol known as sorbitol, which can increase bowel movements and should be avoided if you're experiencing diarrhea.

If you experience stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, or skin rash after eating dried fruits, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to sulfites and should avoid eating Medjool dates. Sulfites in dried fruits may also worsen symptoms like wheezing for people with asthma.

Dates contain high amounts of sugar. So it's unusual to lead to hypoglycemia. But If incase that happens, one should consider a rare condition i.e,., hereditary fructose intolerance.

Dates are recommended for toddlers and small kids. They can even be introduced with the baby food because they contain essential vitamins and minerals needed for proper child growth and provides instant energy for the child so that he or she gets along with the vigorous activities without any problem.