Onions are rich in vitamins and beneficial for infants' and toddlers' physical development, but should not be consumed in excessive amounts at once. As a pungent food with a spicy, irritating flavor, mothers should first soak onions in cold water until the pungent odor dissipates before feeding them to babies. This process removes the onion's irritating taste while reducing gastrointestinal stimulation. Though a common food, onions offer significant nutritional value and are particularly suitable for growing babies.Preparing onion-based complementary foods for babies not only supplements nutrition but may also boost their immunity—truly killing two birds with one stone. Below are additional benefits of incorporating onions into your baby's diet:
1. Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants, vital nutrients that help protect the body against cancer and other diseases. Research indicates that scallions and pungent onions contain the highest levels of these antioxidant compounds.
2. Onions are rich in polyphenols, a nutrient beneficial to human health. While present in other plants of the onion family, onions contain the highest levels. Studies indicate onion polyphenol content even surpasses that of tomatoes, carrots, and red peppers.
3. Onions contain anti-inflammatory compounds, so if your baby has asthma, eating onions may help alleviate symptoms.
4. Rich in vitamin C, onions help activate the immune system to fight bacterial infections.
5. Onions benefit heart health and can help lower cholesterol levels over time.
6. Eating onions promotes iron absorption from food.
7. They enhance gastrointestinal tone and increase digestive fluid secretion, thereby stimulating appetite and aiding digestion.