Cucumber For Babies: Right Age, Benefits, And Recipes

check_iconResearch-backed

You may introduce cucumbers for babies older than eight months to increase their overall vegetable intake.Cucumber or Cucnmissativus is a fruit with high water content, phytochemicals, and micronutrients. A baby’s digestive system may not be mature enough to digest some contents of cucumber. Raw cucumbers may cause abdominal discomfort even if they eat fresh veggies and fruits.

So, you can add cucumbers in pure form after boiling them to avoid abdominal gases and other discomforts. Read on to know more about cucumbers for babies, the right age to start feeding this fruit, and how to incorporate this low-calorie food into your baby’s diet.

In This Article

Is It Safe For Babies To Eat Cucumber?

Image: IStock

Babies can safely eat cooked cucumber in a mashed or pureed form with other solid foods in their weaning diet once they are about nine months old.However, in the case of raw cucumber, it is considered appropriate to wait up to 12 months to avoid gastrointestinal issues caused by cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacins are compounds found in plants from the Cucurbitaceae family and several other plant families(1).

Nutritional Value Of Cooked Cucumber

One cup (180g) of cooked cucumber gives the following nutrients in comparison to the recommended dietary allowance of these nutrients(2)(3)(4).

Name Amount RDA
168克
Energy 32.4Kcal
Carbohydrate, by difference 8.03g
Total dietary fiber 1.08g
Calcium, Ca 34.2mg 270mg (7-12 months)
Magnesium, Mg 27mg 60mg (7-12 months)
Phosphorus, P 48.6mg 275mg (7-12 months)
Potassium, K 292mg 700mg (7-12 months)
Sodium, Na 518mg 200mg (7-12 months)
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 4.86mg 35毫克(7 - 12个月)
Folate, total 10.8µg 35µg (7-12 months)
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 36.2µg 10µg (7-12 months)

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture, World Health Organization, and National Institutes of Health

Possible Health Benefits Of Cucumber For Infants

Like melon, squash, and pumpkins, cucumber is a versatile and nutritious food with several nutrients that can contribute to an infant’s nutrition needs. Its use in traditional Indian medicine has been prevalent since ancient times. Most of these medicinal properties of cucumber are attributed to its phytochemical composition.

  1. Hydration:Cucumbers have high-water content, making it a natural source of hydration. Half a cup of cooked cucumber (90g) contains approximately 85 grams of water and necessary salts that can hydrate your baby. Thus, cooked cucumber puree may work as suitable food for(2).
  1. Essential nutrients:Cucumber contains considerable amounts of vitamins and minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Although not an iron-rich food, it contains small amounts of iron and vitamin K, necessary for various body functions, such asbone development(2).
  1. Antioxidants:Research shows that the aqueous extract of cucumber contains flavonoids and tannins that have antioxidative and analgesic effects(5). Antioxidants are vital for fighting free radical damage and provide immune system support.
  1. Skin health:Topical application of fresh cucumber juice is a natural remedy for nourishing and soothing the skin. It is also known to reduce swelling and alleviate sunburns(6). However, the suitability of cucumber in babies forskin issuesis not adequately studied.

protip_icon Quick tip
Place a cucumber slice on the affected area to alleviate irritation and inflammation associated with insect bites(11).

  1. Growth and development:Cucumber contains folate, an important nutrient that helps your baby’s overall growth. Besides, it contains silica that helps in strengthening tissues and joints(7).

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Overall health:Cucumber, when consumed with peel, can help ward-off chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems in the long run. These benefits are attributed to the presence of micronutrients and bioactive compounds, such as cucurbitacins(8).

Some parents also use cucumbers as a teether for their babies(9).You can squeeze a peeled cucumber piece (to avoid choking) and give it to the baby to chew on. However, this should be done under a watchful eye as small pieces can pose achoking risk.

Precautions To Take While Feeding Cucumber To Babies

Image: Shutterstock

Here’s a quick look at certain precautions you may take while feeding cucumber to your baby.

  1. Wash the fruit thoroughly. Cut a slice of the cucumber and taste it because some cucumbers can be overly bitter.
  1. You can retain the peel while cooking the cucumber. If serving the fruit raw to a toddler older than 12 months, then too you may retain the peel.
  1. Introduce cucumber in pureed or mashed form foreasy digestion.
  1. Feed only properly cooked cucumber to babies younger than 12 months to avoid gastrointestinal issues.
  1. Start feeding a small amount and gradually increase as per your baby’s comfort.
  1. Do not add any other new foods to your baby’s diet while introducing cucumber. Follow a “three-to-five-day wait rule” to check allergic reactions, if any.
  1. If you or anyone in the family has an allergy to cucumber, then consult a pediatrician before feeding cucumber to your baby.
  1. If you observe signs of abdominal discomfort, such as gas, eliminate cucumber from the diet for a few days. Reintroduce afterpediatric consultation.
  1. Once the baby seems comfortable with the mild taste of cucumber puree, you may mix cucumber puree to purees made from other vegetables and fruits.
  1. For older babies and toddlers, who have already started finger foods, thick cucumber slices can be served ashealthy finger food.
  1. If your baby is diagnosed with cucumber allergy, then do not serve any food that contains cucumber, even in small quantities.

How To Select And Store Cucumber?

Below are some steps that you can follow to select and store cucumber safely.

How to select the cucumber

  1. Buy fresh, firm, and unwaxed, pesticide-free, organic produce(10).
  1. Pick the ones that are green and have fewer blemishes and pits.
  1. Choose crisp, firm cucumbers over shriveled or withered ones.
  1. Avoid cucumbers that are large and yellow.
protip_icon Quick tip
Prefer small, slender cucumbers as they are fresher and contain less seeds.

How to store the cucumber

  1. Wash cucumbers thoroughly under running water.
  1. After patting dry, store in the refrigerator for a week.
  1. Try to keep the cucumbers in a zip-lock pouch at the front rather than stacking them at the back.
  1. Avoid storing in bulk as cucumber loses moisture quickly.

Quick And Delicious Cucumber Recipes For Babies

Cucumber may be introduced in pureed or mashed form. Once your baby gets comfortable with its taste, you may try some of these recipes. Once your baby gets comfortable with its taste, you may try some of these cucumber-based homemade baby food recipes.

1. Cucumber and pear puree

Image: Shutterstock

This is simple to prepare and can help promote the baby’s digestive health. Adding some more fruit purees to this recipe is a personal choice.

You will need:

  • 1 cup cucumber (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 cup pear (peeled, cored, and diced)

How to:

  1. Mash the cucumber slices with a fork.
  2. Put mashed cucumber and pear into a blender and blend well. Ensure no lumps are left.
  3. Add 1/4 cup water and blend again to make the paste smooth.
  4. Serve immediately with a pinch of jaggery powder on top for added flavor.

2. Cucumber yogurt mix

Image: Shutterstock

As an easy-to-digest, quick snack, this great recipe is a nutritious pre and probiotic mix that is gut-friendly. You can feed this recipe to your baby as a side dish, too.

You will need:

  • 1 small cucumber (peeled and diced)
  • 1 cup papaya
  • 1 cup plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • ½ tsp jaggery powder (optional)

How to:

  1. Put mint leaves, papaya, and cucumber in a blender and blend until you get a smooth paste. Ensure no lumps are left.
  2. Add ¼ cup water in case the paste looks too thick. Add water until the blend has a softer texture.
  3. Mix the blend with yogurt and give it a thorough whisk. Ensure there are no lumps.
  4. Add jaggery powder for added flavor.
  5. Serve fresh to your baby.

protip_icon Quick tip
Add a teaspoon of finely ground nuts and dried fruits powder to enhance the recipe’s taste and nutritional value.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does cucumber cause diarrhea?

No. Cucumber doesn’t usually cause diarrhea. However, cucurbitacin, a compound in cucumber, may cause intestinal gas and bloating in sensitive individuals(11). Thus, it is advisable to feed babies small amounts of cucumber initially. Once the baby’s taste buds adjust to the food, you can gradually increase the baby’s feeding quantity.

2. When can I give my baby cucumber sticks?

Babies between 8 and 12 months of age can eat long, wide, and thinly sliced, de-seeded cucumber sticks with no added sugar or salt(12). You may serve these sticks with healthy dips, such as avocado salsa or hummus to offer a wholesome meal to your little one. You can also serve these sticks around six months of age to babies practicing baby-led weaning to help them develop healthy eating habits.

3. Can babies eat the seeds in cucumbers?

Babies should eat seedless cucumber to prevent potential choking and gagging risks.

Cucumber for babies is a healthy addition to their diet after nine months of age. However, if you wish to give them raw cucumber, you may have to wait until one year. Adding cucumbers could help maintain hydration and add a good nutritional value to your baby’s balanced diet. If your baby is below 12 months, you may give the fruit steamed, cooked, or baked. However, older infants may enjoy cucumber in various food items, such as sandwiches, shakes, and salads.

Infographic: Points To Consider When Giving Cucumber To Babies

Kiwis are nutrient-rich fruits with various health-promoting effects. However, since these fruits are acidic, there might also be side effects. Check out the infographic below to learn about precautions to take when introducing kiwis to your baby.

points to consider when giving cucumber to babies (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

点击下面得到高质量的PDF版本。

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Takeaways

  • Babies over 8 months can safely eat cucumber, which is rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
  • Cucumber offers hydration, aids growth and development, and benefits skin health.
  • Cooked cucumber can be mashed or pureed, while raw cucumber can be given to children over one.
  • Choose firm, green, unwaxed cucumbers, and store them in the fridge after cleaning and drying.
  • Two tasty recipes to introduce cucumber to your baby’s diet are cucumber and pear puree, and cucumber yogurt mix.


References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in oureditorial policy.
Was this article helpful?
The following two tabs change content below.