Post by - Katie Benson

Post by – Katie Benson

Blackberries for Baby

Blackberries are a nutritious, sweet and tasty first food for baby. Packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, high in fiber, and regarded as one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on earth, this vibrant berry packs a mean nutritional punch! In a recent study, it was found that blackberries far surpass many other antioxidant-rich foods when measuring their antioxidant content. They even had 40% more antioxidants than walnuts which are a well-known cancer-fighter. The high fiber content in blackberries (8 grams in about 1 cup!) helps improve digestion and helps prevent and ease constipation in baby in kiddo. Blackberries are perfect finger foods for older kiddos and can easily be added to greek or coconut yogurt, smoothies, sweet and savory purees or baked into muffins or sweet breads for a yummy nutritional boost!

Highlighted Nutritional Importance of Blackberries

Vitamins
Vitamin C – a potent antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and is important for collagen-synthesis and our skeletal system
Vitamin K – important for bone and skeletal growth and helps with the blood clotting process
Folate – a B vitamin crucial for healthy brain and neurological growth
Vitamin A – vitally important for the skeletal system and helps support a healthy immune system
Niacin – also known as Vitamin B3, this Vitamin is essential for good circulation and helps to keep skin and gums healthy

Minerals
Manganese – a powerful antioxidant that helps to form bone and cartilage
Copper – helps to form collagen which is essential for healthy bones and connective tissue
Potassium – this is an electrolyte mineral that supports healthy cardiovascular function and kidney function
Magnesium – this is a mineral necessary to the body’s bone and skeletal health, and ultra-important in regulating energy production inside the cell
Zinc – along with the high fiber content in blackberries, zinc helps aid digestion and helps

How to Select and Store Blackberries for Baby Food

According to the EWG, blackberries are not on the Dirty Dozen list, meaning they are not highly contaminated with pesticides and buying organic is a personal choice. When shopping for blackberries at the grocery store or farmers market, look for those that are deeply colored, don’t have a hull attached (a sign they were picked prematurely) and are free from mold. Unlike many other fruits, blackberries don’t ripen after picking, so it’s important to enjoy them straight away, or within 2-3 days. Store blackberries in a single layer on a plate in the refrigerator to avoid mold-growth and spoiling until ready to use or eat. If you can’t use blackberries right away, they are easy to freeze and can be thawed for future use or used frozen in smoothies!

Recipes Using Blackberries-