When to give children a fresh tomato. Tomatoes for a baby - when and how to introduce them into the diet? The optimal age for the introduction of pickled cucumbers and tomatoes into the diet

Tomatoes are a must on the dinner table, especially in summer. And many parents ask themselves: at what age can you give your baby a taste of this wonderful vegetable? We will try to find the answer further. But first, let's look at the benefits of tomatoes for the human body.

The benefits of tomatoes

The positive effect of eating tomatoes is due to their composition. Tomatoes contain a huge amount of minerals, vitamins, trace elements. This vegetable can be classified as a natural antioxidant, as it has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. The carotene contained in it helps to improve vision, and pectin normalizes the digestive system, lowers blood pressure and the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

In their composition, tomatoes have 66% water, which allows them to be used for problems with the urinary system. Also, this vegetable contains almost all vitamins: A, K, B6, PP, C, B, B2, E. It contains trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, manganese, potassium, calcium, iodine, copper, sodium.

The antibacterial effect is provided by phytoncides that are part of the ripe fruit. It also contains a lot of tartaric, malic, acetic acid, mineral salts, glucose and fructose.

Based on the composition, the following types of beneficial effects of this vegetable on the body can be distinguished.

It has a positive effect on the work of the digestive tract.
Strengthens the heart and blood vessels.
Helps deal with stress.
Thins the blood, while reducing the risk of blood clots.
Improves metabolic processes.
Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It has a positive effect on the nervous system.
It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
It is a powerful natural antioxidant.
Helps to get rid of bladder diseases.

Thus, tomatoes can be of great benefit to children. But at what age should a child be given this vegetable? Indeed, some advise to postpone acquaintance with tomatoes until the child is at least 1 year old, while others argue that it is permissible to start a little earlier.

How to properly introduce tomatoes into the diet?

If your child is 10 months old, suggest trying tomato juice or mashed potatoes from baby food manufacturers. It is necessary to start with a small dose (0.5-1 teaspoon) and gradually increase the portion. It is important to observe the reaction. Children who have problems after eating tomatoes in the form of allergies or indigestion should stop giving this product.

If your child is one year old, you can suggest trying raw tomatoes. Before that, pour boiling water over them and remove the skin. It contains many chemicals that are unlikely to provide health benefits.

In a year, the baby still cannot chew food on his own, so it is worth freeing the vegetable from seeds and turning it into puree. Over time, it will be possible to prepare salads from it and serve it to the child.

From the age of three, children can eat tomatoes in any form: juices, borscht, stews, salads, sauces and other dishes.

You should not rush to introduce this product into the diet until the baby is 1 year old, since bright red tomatoes are considered potential allergens.

Contraindications

Although tomatoes are very healthy, in some cases they should not be given to children. These include:

cholelithiasis;
an allergic reaction in the form of rashes, itching, swelling, shortness of breath;
pathology of the digestive system;
kidney disease.

You do not need to give your baby canned, salted or pickled tomatoes if he has been diagnosed with the following diseases:

acute or chronic forms of kidney disease;
hypertension;
pathological conditions of the heart or blood vessels.

Before giving your baby a juicy vegetable, follow these rules.

Buy only ripe quality tomatoes.
For the children's menu, choose exclusively ground vegetables, since greenhouses contain a huge amount of chemicals.
There is a lot of salt and vinegar in canned tomatoes, so don't give them to your baby.
Cooked tomatoes have more lycopene, which makes them even healthier.
Do not combine tomatoes with dairy products. Better serve them with main courses or other vegetables.

It is not only possible for children to eat tomatoes, but also necessary, because they are an excellent source of nutrients. The main thing is to start getting to know this juicy vegetable no earlier than the baby turns one year old.

When can you give tomatoes to your child? The answer to this question depends on many factors. First of all, you should find out what this vegetable is, how good it is and what reaction the baby's body can cause.

Vegetables for children are what gives the growing body strength and health. Tomato is one of the most beautiful and healthy. It is he who attracts the curious glances of kids. At what age can you give your child fresh tomatoes?

The benefits of tomatoes

Its rich vitamin composition and taste make it possible to use this product in raw form, as well as to use it for the preparation of various vegetable dishes, pickles, sauces and marinades.

Tomato contains:

vitamins A, K, E and group B;
fiber;
minerals: magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iodine, potassium, iron;
phytoncides;
antioxidant lycopene;
sugar - glucose and fructose;
acids - folic, citric, tartaric, pantothenic;
organic acids;
starch;
pectin.

What is the advantage of a vegetable for baby food

This is a delicious fruit. In addition, the color of tomatoes attracts babies - this allows them to make their choice in favor of vegetables. Usually children prefer fruit, but both are necessary for a balanced diet.
Tomato contains a lot of essential micro and macro elements for a growing child's body.
It can be easily added to mashed potatoes, soup or savory porridge, it is appropriate as a seasoning and goes well with many dishes.
The consistency of tomatoes is such that a child at 9 months old can easily cope with the soft, peeled, vegetable base.
Tomatoes can be grown independently on their own plot; this culture does not need special conditions that are required for growing many other vegetables.

When to introduce a tomato into a child's diet

Often parents ask their children's doctor a question: when can you offer your baby fresh tomatoes? Indeed, this is not an idle curiosity, because tomatoes belong to the group of those foods that can cause an allergic reaction.

For the first time, you can give your baby to taste the pulp of this vegetable on the tip of a teaspoon. This is necessary in order to observe the child's reaction and to see how he will feel after the introduction of a new product.

What consequences can you expect after feeding with tomato?

On rare occasions, the baby may feel colic. Digestive disruption is a common reaction to a new product. In such a case, it is worth waiting and giving the child this product again to try, after a few days.

You should not completely abandon tomatoes: the reaction of the baby's stomach and intestines can be unpredictable. It is not at all necessary that the baby will perceive the sample the same way next time.

Disadvantages of tomato

The possibility of an allergic reaction in a baby - skin rashes, intestinal upset, swelling of the mucous throat. By the way, allergy to tomatoes in children is not uncommon, so you need to be careful when introducing tomato into complementary foods.
Experts do not recommend using this vegetable for diseases of the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. If a child often has problems with digestion, it is better to introduce a tomato into the diet after the baby is 1 year old.
Everything is good in moderation - if a child loves tomatoes very much, their use should be limited, otherwise overeating can lead to negative consequences.
You should be careful with a tomato bought in a store, often “early” vegetables grown in greenhouses are saturated with chemical additives.

How to choose tomatoes for making baby food

The fruit must be fresh. If it is not possible to remove it from the garden, then to make mashed potatoes or juice, you need to make sure the quality of the tomato. When buying, ask where the vegetables are grown. If in greenhouse conditions, you should not give them to your child.

A good tomato should be firm, have a rich scarlet color and a pleasant aroma. A vegetable that doesn't smell is not good for baby cooking. The smell suggests that the fruit is ripe enough.

How to properly enter into the diet

First of all, one should not forget about baby food, which is produced by firms that have proven themselves from the best side. It is quite possible that for the first time it will be more convenient for a one-year-old child to try a tomato in the form of a ready-made and adapted puree from a jar.

You can, as a test, give the baby tomato juice in a teaspoon. True, it is better to do this if the juice is made at home from a tomato grown in your garden, or bought from those people you trust. Getting juice from store-bought vegetables is a big mistake, you shouldn't.

Never give your baby a whole vegetable in the skin. The film must be removed from the fetus. A one-year-old child does not yet have the skills to handle such products, so a piece of a vegetable peeled and seeds peeled is quite suitable for getting to know new food.

At first, it is better to pour boiling water over the tomato and remove the skin from it. Blanched tomatoes are considered healthier.

Dishes for a child using tomato

Potato and tomato puree... Boil a couple of medium potatoes, knead thoroughly so that there are no lumps, add half a teaspoon of butter, dilute with boiled milk. Pour fresh tomato over with boiling water, peel, chop finely and simmer in a pan, adding a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix the resulting mass with mashed potatoes.
Cauliflower with tomatoes... Cut the cabbage into cubes or thin slices. Simmer in boiling water with the addition of olive oil until transparent. Grind in a blender, adding a slice of fresh tomato.
Cucumber and tomato salad... Such a dish can be given to a child who is 2 years old. Grate cucumbers and tomatoes. Add chopped dill. The salad should be seasoned with any vegetable oil that the child can easily perceive.

So that the new product does not have a negative effect on the baby's body, you should, before introducing the tomato into complementary foods, ask the pediatrician a question: is it possible to give the baby tomatoes? The specialist is able to assess the condition of the baby for a given period of time and suggest how best to introduce him to new food.

As for the baby's reaction to a new product, it should be remembered that an allergy to tomatoes in young children can manifest itself in the form of reddening of the skin of the cheeks, arms and legs. If such a process is not observed after the child first tasted tomato, you can safely increase the portion, but not by much.

Children prepare a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers: video

Of course, children are allowed to give tomatoes, however, young parents need to know that the reaction to any new product is individual. Therefore, caution and attentiveness is what you should remember during the period of introducing fruits and vegetables into the baby's diet.

A juicy, sweet and sour tomato is one of the most delicious vegetables. Thanks to their bright, saturated color, tomatoes always attract the attention of children, especially babies, who pull everything into their mouths. Find out at what age a child can use tomatoes, how they are useful, whether they can cause allergies or other health problems.

Composition

The base of tomatoes is water. Depending on the variety, its content in them can reach 92-94%. Almost like cucumbers. There is an opinion that the main advantage of tomatoes is their pleasant taste, especially if the vegetables are grown outdoors. But in fact, the benefits of these fruits are difficult to overestimate, because they contain many useful substances:

carbohydrates, but not simple, but easily digestible - a simple and affordable source of energy;
pectins - the activity of the intestines depends on them, if the baby regularly eats tomatoes, the likelihood of constipation is minimal;
in terms of potassium content, tomatoes are in the forefront, it not only removes excess fluid from the body, but also strengthens the heart muscle;
magnesium - is needed for the normal development of cells, improves thermoregulation;
vitamins A and C - there are many of them in tomatoes, such a "duet" has a powerful antioxidant effect.

These are not all the substances present in tomatoes. In fact, they contain other vitamins and minerals, but in low concentrations. There are many organic acids in tomatoes, which are important for the normal functioning of the internal systems of the body. Perhaps one of the most valuable substances is lycopene, it is because of it that tomatoes have a bright red color. This pigment reduces the likelihood of heart problems, cell mutations - it helps to avoid certain types of cancer.

Important! Lycopene is best absorbed by eating boiled or stewed tomatoes.

What are tomatoes good for?

Contrary to the misconceptions of some consumers, tomatoes are very healthy. The main advantage is that due to the phytoncides contained in them, it inhibits the vital activity of bacteria. With sufficient consumption of tomatoes, the likelihood of developing a fungus and many infections is extremely low. Tomato juice quickly corrects the water-salt balance. It is not in vain that it is used to relieve abstention syndrome and food poisoning. Other pluses of tomatoes:

relieve inflammation, strengthen hair - thanks to zinc.
positively affect the work of the heart;
prevent the occurrence of anemia;
normalize the activity of the nervous and digestive systems;
strengthen the immune system;
have an anti-stress effect;
useful for well-fed children prone to obesity.

Tomatoes are good in any form: both fresh and after heat treatment. They can also be used as a prophylactic agent for problems with the gastrointestinal tract - they help to avoid the processes of decay and fermentation.

At what age can babies have tomatoes?

It is better not to give tomatoes to children until a year. An exception is tomato juice, prepared by you or by industrial production, but intended for babies - it is pure, there are no spices or salt in it. Daughter or son prone to allergies? This means that they do not even need to give tomato juice until a year. The product should be introduced gradually: first a few drops, then, when the crumb gets used to it a little, increase the portion to 30-40 g.

Whole tomatoes can be introduced into the child's diet after a year. Of course, the skin should be peeled - it is easier to do if you cut the fruit and scald it with boiling water. Tomato peel is dangerous because it can stick to the wall of the stomach, causing the child to vomit spontaneously. After three years, children can eat tomatoes in any form, including those that have undergone heat treatment. Usually they are given in combination with other foods, adding to sauces, omelets and other dishes.

The healing properties of tomatoes

We are not used to using tomatoes for medicinal purposes, but in vain. Indeed, with their help, in some cases, you can abandon pharmaceuticals - at least partially. Helpful hints:

If the child has low acidity, give him tomato fresh for 15 days - absolutely natural, without salt, sugar or spices. To achieve a therapeutic effect, it should be consumed after meals - 100 ml each. Important! With such problems with the stomach (and even more so with an ulcer), all kinds of canned pastes, sauces and ketchups are strictly prohibited - they irritate the stomach lining.
Tomatoes will be useful nervous and crying kids... All because of the serotonin that is present in them. This hormone will give babies a sense of calm and harmony.
If a baby's skin is prone to flaking and frequent irritation - Give him tomatoes regularly, because they accelerate the restoration of the epidermis, while simultaneously removing toxins.
Tomatoes have a positive effect on sight, which is due to the increased concentration of beta-carotene in this vegetable.
Kid accidentally burned? If blisters have not formed (1st degree burn), simply apply half a tomato to the affected skin - its juice will provide an antiseptic effect and accelerate healing.

Even if the child is absolutely healthy, tomatoes will not be superfluous in his diet. Prepare salads and juice from them, add to hot dishes - most kids treat tomatoes more than favorably.

Contraindications

For certain health problems, it is better to avoid eating tomatoes:

with stomach ulcers or high acidity;
with bronchial asthma or allergies;
with acute diseases of the genitourinary system;
with rheumatism.

Important! In the above-mentioned cases, not only tomatoes are dangerous, but also dishes in which they are contained in large quantities.

Recipes

Tomato soup for babies

You will need two medium-sized potatoes, one carrot and one onion each, five small tomatoes, a couple of tablespoons of vermicelli, half a glass of milk and the same amount of sour cream, yolk and a teaspoon of flour. The amount of ingredients is indicated based on 2 liters of water. Cut vegetables: potatoes into large cubes, onions - as small as possible, carrots - grate. Place them in a pot of water and cook. Fry the tomatoes in butter, then chop until puree (grind through a sieve or blender). At the end of cooking, add the vermicelli, as soon as it is ready, add the tomato puree to the soup. Prepare the filling: stir the milk, sour cream, yolk and flour, then pour it very carefully into your dish. Then simmer the soup for three minutes. Serve hot.

Zucchini with tomatoes

You will need 300 g of courgettes, 1 tomato, 30–40 g of hard cheese. Peel the zucchini and cut them into slices, do the same with tomatoes, grate cheese (as for beets). Place the zucchini in a mold, then place the tomatoes on top of them. Sprinkle with grated cheese on top. Bake until tender, usually no more than 15-20 minutes.

Vegetables in the children's diet are necessary - they replenish the child's body with vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are necessary for its growth and development. One of the favorite vegetables for most children who have already learned to chew is tomatoes due to their pleasant sweet and sour taste and the abundance of juice inside.

However, the bright color of this vegetable may raise doubts among parents - red fruits are considered allergenic. In this regard, the question arises - when can a tomato be introduced into the baby's diet, what effect can this appetizing and healthy vegetable have on the child's body?

What are the benefits of tomatoes?

Tomatoes can be called a real storehouse of vitamins. Let's take a closer look at exactly what substances are contained in these vegetables, and how they affect health.

The chemical composition of tomatoes contains many vitamins:

Potassium - improves heart function. Also has hypotensive and diuretic effects; Iodine - stimulates the activity of the thyroid gland; Iron - participates in oxygen saturation of the blood; Calcium - strengthens bones; Copper and zinc are essential elements for the development and growth of cells and tissues; Magnesium - has a calming effect on the nervous system.

In addition to the listed chemical elements, tomatoes are also rich in other substances that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of various body systems:

Lycopene is a substance that can prevent the development of cancer; Pectin, phintocides are real helpers of the digestive and excretory systems. They contain choline, which lowers blood cholesterol levels; Tomato contains a lot of vitamin A and carotene, therefore it is good for growth and vision; Antioxidants - remove salts of heavy metals and free radicals from the body.

Tomatoes help relieve stress and improve mood; they have a calming effect on the nervous system. They stimulate appetite, speed up metabolic processes.

In this episode of the TV show "Life is great!" with Elena Malysheva, you will learn about the beneficial properties of tomatoes:

Do tomatoes have disadvantages?

If this vegetable is so tasty and healthy, then the question arises - can it be given to small children? What factors can become an obstacle to introducing tomatoes into the baby's diet?

The tomato is considered a highly allergenic product. With existing problems with digestion and kidneys, this vegetable is contraindicated to eat. Artificially grown tomatoes can be hazardous to health - they contain a lot of pesticides that cause severe poisoning. It is not recommended to eat tomatoes in large quantities - this will have a detrimental effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

At what age should you introduce your child to a tomato?

Since the tomato can cause allergies in the baby, it is not recommended to give this vegetable fresh until 12 months. If it is known that the child is allergic, then it is better not to rush, but to consult with the pediatrician about the introduction of red fruits in the menu. Heat-treated tomatoes (boiled or stewed, as part of vegetable soups and mashed potatoes) are safer, so they can be offered to a baby from 9 months.

When cooked, some of their useful properties are lost and they are used mainly to improve the taste of the dish. In ready-made vegetable purees that are sold in stores, tomatoes also appear in foods recommended for children from 8-9 months.

TIP... The first acquaintance of the crumbs with a delicious vegetable can be done by treating him with tomato juice or tomato puree.

From the forums:

Kim: I gave my son a tomato at 8 months, he really liked it, I cut it into halves and gave him a bite from the edge, made sure that he would bite a little and chew. I didn't remove the skin on purpose, only if it lagged behind myself, I removed it. We have a tomato for lunch with vegetable puree: a spoonful of puree, bitten tomato, a piece of bread. Sometimes he just cowards for a tomato, it is juicy, now in the heat he really likes it.

Tanya: When I turned 10, I gave me some tomatoes and cucumbers to try. She liked it. Unfortunately we do not have our own, we give the purchased ones, everything is fine. They gave us tomatoes from the village and for some reason we got allergic to them. I peel the skin and give it a slice and my daughter eats it. We already have 8 teeth, so I don't wrinkle.

The safest product choice for the first complementary foods is baby food in jars from a well-established manufacturer. Even if you are confident in the quality of the product, the first serving is still no more than half a teaspoon. The next tomato feeding should be done in a day, not earlier. If there are no signs of allergies, then the next day, the portion can be doubled.

One-year-old children can be offered a fresh vegetable, previously peeled. To remove it, it is enough to pour boiling water over the tomato. It is better for kids to chop the tomato, bringing it to a puree state. If the child already chews well himself, then it makes sense to add the chopped tomato to the salad. Vegetable oil is ideal for children as a salad dressing, it will help the lycopene to be better absorbed in the body.

IMPORTANT! If the child has difficulties with digestion, the use of the tomato should be limited, and it is also not recommended to give a cucumber with a tomato in one meal.

Starting from the age of three, when the children's menu becomes varied, you can cook meat baked with tomatoes and cheese in the oven, make vegetable casseroles with sour cream and herbs.

Allowed to be given to children over a year old, but the child must be able to chew well before you give him a piece of tomato, otherwise he may choke on a piece of tomato. Fresh tomatoes for small children are allowed only in the summer-autumn season. Up to 2 years old, it is better to give the child tomatoes without the skin, after scalding the tomato with boiling water. It is better to give children tomatoes without salt or only slightly salting. (Due to the high salt content, tomato juice is not recommended for children under 3 years old). For better absorption of carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins, it is recommended to eat tomatoes with sour cream, vegetable oil or cheese. It is not recommended to eat a large number of tomatoes at once for children under 3 years old because of the high risk of allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions; it is better to limit yourself to one small tomato (50 g) per day. It is good to combine tomatoes with other less allergenic vegetables (cucumber, boiled potatoes) and also with meat. Sauces and ketchups with tomatoes, as well as salted and pickled tomatoes are allowed to be given to children not earlier than 3 years old, and it is better not to give them at all.

Are canned tomatoes contraindicated for children?

Blanks for the winter, including salted and pickled tomatoes, will not be useful to small children. What ingredients are added to jars when preserving? - This is a large amount of salt, vinegar, hot pepper. It is known that salt prevents the elimination of fluid from the body, and this puts a great strain on children's kidneys and leads to edema.

Acetic acid can cause stomach problems, as can hot herbs. Considering these factors, children under three years old should not be offered canned tomatoes. From the age of four, such foods are given in small quantities.

Which tomatoes are suitable for baby food?

Which tomatoes are suitable for baby food? Choose only vegetables grown in soil. Greenhouse tomatoes are dangerous - many chemicals are used for their growth.

When choosing tomatoes in the market or in the store, carefully examine them. Vegetables should not have a putrid smell, they should not have dark spots and violations of the integrity of the peel.

Several recipes

Puree with tomato and cauliflower (suitable for children from 3 years old)

Ingredients: Cauliflower - 150 g; Butter - 20 g; Tomatoes -300 g; Hard cheese - 30.

Break the cabbage into inflorescences, wash and boil until tender in salted water. Then melt the butter in a saucepan, fold the finely chopped and peeled tomatoes. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the dish looks like gruel.

Add the grated cheese to the hot tomato puree and stir. Combine the cauliflower with the cheese and tomato paste and whisk in a blender in the puree. This dish can be frozen.

Borscht. It can be cooked for children from 2 years old

Ingredients: Potatoes - 2 pcs.; ¼ quiver of cabbage; 1/3 onion; tomatoes - 1-2 pcs.; Carrots - 1 pc.; Beets - 1 pc.; Salt, sugar to taste.

First you need to wash and peel the beets and carrots, cut them into strips and leave to cook in boiling, salted water for about 15 minutes. Then add chopped cabbage and diced potatoes and cook for another 20 minutes. At the same time, fry the onions in a preheated pan, then add the chopped tomatoes to it. Simmer borscht for 7 minutes under the lid. Then add onion with tomatoes to it, salt, add sugar to taste and cook until tender over low heat. Your child will be delighted with this dish!

Polina and Yulia are preparing a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers with soy sauce. Quick and easy recipe, lick your fingers:

Tomato allergy - what to do?

If, after the first acquaintance of the kid with an appetizing vegetable, you notice allergy symptoms - rash, itching and red spots on the body, sneezing or coughing, then tomatoes should be removed from his diet.

When the allergy becomes pronounced - edema appears, an urgent need to consult a doctor for the appointment of treatment. In this case, repeated attempts to introduce tomatoes into the diet are made no earlier than six months later.

We also read: Vegetable purees for the first feeding (3 recipes)

How to keep tomatoes fresh

Vegetable complementary foods are one of the most important for a child in the first years of life, as it gives the baby valuable vitamins, fiber, trace elements and other useful substances. Tomatoes are one of the favorite vegetables for both adults and kids. But their bright color raises concerns, therefore, before introducing such a tasty and healthy vegetable into the children's menu, parents should learn more about its effect on the children's body and the optimal time for children to get acquainted with tomatoes in different forms.

Benefits Tomatoes are rich in vitamins B1, PP, K, A, B2, beta-carotene, potassium, iodine, copper, iron, calcium, zinc and many other valuable compounds. The composition of tomatoes contains the substance lycopene, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. It also has the ability to prevent cancer. It is important to know that its assimilation is improved by thermal processing of tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes contain organic acids, phytoncides and pectin. They are beneficial for the digestive tract and excretory system. Tomato is considered a good antioxidant. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating tomatoes thins the blood, speeds up metabolic processes, and calms the nervous system. Tomatoes are good as a snack because they can stimulate the appetite. Tomatoes are not only delicious, but also very healthy.

You can learn more about the beneficial properties of tomatoes by watching the program "Living healthy".

Cons Tomatoes are often allergic. Tomatoes are contraindicated in diseases of the digestive system, as well as kidney disease. Greenhouse tomatoes may contain too many chemicals that can poison your baby. Excessive consumption of tomatoes threatens problems with the digestive tract. From how many months can you introduce into complementary foods?

The thermally processed tomato can be introduced into the children's diet from 10 months of age.

Fresh tomatoes should not be given to children under one year old.

How to give?

You can acquaint a child of the first year with tomatoes in the form of tomato juice or tomato puree.

The best choice would be a finished product from a trusted baby food manufacturer. The first portion should be no more than 1/2 teaspoon of the product, and if tolerated, it can be gradually increased.

Crumbs older than a year are offered raw, peeled tomatoes (to peel vegetables, scald them with boiling water).

Tomatoes should be added to the diet no earlier than 10 months.

For one-year-old children, the tomato is crushed in mashed potatoes, and for kids over 1.5-2 years old who have already learned to chew, they can be added to salads and snacks. At the same time, it is recommended to season dishes with vegetable oil, since it improves the absorption of lycopene. If a child has digestive problems, it is not recommended to combine tomatoes and cucumbers in salads.

Dishes with tomatoes for children over 3 years old are becoming more varied - they are baked with other vegetables, cheese or meat, added to soups, various salads and pies. Do not combine tomatoes with dairy products.

Should I give pickled or pickled tomatoes?

Canned and pickled tomatoes contain ingredients that harm the child's body (vinegar, salt, hot spices), so they are not recommended for baby food under 3 years of age, and for babies aged 4 to 7 years, the daily portion of such products should be limited ...

If a child has problems with the kidneys, blood pressure and heart, tomatoes in salted or pickled form are generally contraindicated for them.

Tips for choosing

It is best to use ground tomatoes for baby food as there are more chemicals in greenhouse vegetables. Buy undamaged, ripe vegetables that are evenly colored and free from dark spots or rotten areas.

If a child who has tried tomato for the first time or within a few days has an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, indigestion, runny nose, dry cough, areas of redness on the skin or other signs, the product must be canceled.

If symptoms are severe, a doctor should be consulted so that he can prescribe a suitable treatment, and a retest of the introduction of tomatoes into the diet is recommended at a later age.

The benefits of tomatoes

The antibacterial effect is provided by phytoncides that are part of the ripe fruit. It also contains a lot of tartaric, malic, acetic acid, mineral salts, glucose and fructose.

Based on the composition, the following types of beneficial effects of this vegetable on the body can be distinguished.

It has a positive effect on the work of the digestive tract. Strengthens the heart and blood vessels. Helps deal with stress. Thins the blood, while reducing the risk of blood clots. Improves metabolic processes. Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It has a positive effect on the nervous system. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is a powerful natural antioxidant. Helps to get rid of bladder diseases.

How to properly introduce tomatoes into the diet?

From the age of three, children can eat tomatoes in any form: juices, borscht, stews, salads, sauces and other dishes.

You should not rush to introduce this product into the diet until the baby is 1 year old, since bright red tomatoes are considered potential allergens.

Contraindications

Although tomatoes are very healthy, in some cases they should not be given to children. These include:

cholelithiasis; an allergic reaction in the form of rashes, itching, swelling, shortness of breath; pathology of the digestive system; kidney disease.

You do not need to give your baby canned, salted or pickled tomatoes if he has been diagnosed with the following diseases:

acute or chronic forms of kidney disease; hypertension; pathological conditions of the heart or blood vessels.

Before giving your baby a juicy vegetable, follow these rules.

Buy only ripe, high-quality tomatoes. For the children's menu, choose exclusively ground vegetables, since greenhouses contain a huge amount of chemicals. There is a lot of salt and vinegar in canned tomatoes, so don't give them to your baby. Cooked tomatoes have more lycopene, which makes them even healthier. Do not combine tomatoes with dairy products. Better serve them with main courses or other vegetables.

The tomato has proven itself fresh. It perfectly improves the taste of boiled, stewed, baked dishes from vegetables and meat. The benefits of tomatoes have not been argued for a long time, but in families with a growing baby, questions become relevant: when to introduce into the children's diet and how much to give.

Benefits for children

Nature has endowed tomatoes with lycopene - the most powerful antioxidant that can resist free radicals. By protecting the body from their oxidative effects, lycopene prevents the appearance of serious diseases, including cancer.

The presence of almost 94% water and low calorie content do not limit the beneficial properties of this tasty vegetable. In terms of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamins K, A, E, C, folic and pantothenic acids, tomatoes surpass apples.

An introduction to the fresh tomato menu contributes to:

improving appetite and bowel function; increased secretion of gastric juice; lowering blood cholesterol levels; maintaining the processes of hematopoiesis and metabolism; strengthening the body's defenses; replenishment of the lack of vitamins and minerals.

Tomatoes have a pronounced diuretic and choleretic effect, antioxidant and anti-stress effect, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

When and how much?

The baby gets to know the tomatoes last. They appear in canned baby food as part of multicomponent vegetable purees, recommended from 8-9 months of age. Some of the vitamins are lost after heat treatment, but the amount of useful lycopene, on the contrary, increases significantly.

After a year, you can introduce a fresh tomato into the children's menu. "Red, round, soft, sweet - can be eaten straight from the garden." It's hard to disagree with this children's poem. "From the garden" - a soil tomato, ripened in natural conditions without "overfeeding" with fertilizers. Indeed, it is during the harvest season that tomatoes have the greatest nutritional value.

Before feeding, the tomato must be freed from the skin and seeds. The child is given only pulp in the form of mashed potatoes and no more than 1/2 tsp. In the absence of a reaction to a new product, the amount of tomato pulp is gradually increased.

For children from 1 to 3 years old, fresh tomatoes are offered without skin up to 50 g per day. After 2 years, you can prepare a salad of them with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil, and from 3 years of age - sour cream. The presence of one medium-sized tomato in the baby's daily diet will be enough.

Precautions

Tomatoes can cause unexpected reactions when combined with other foods. So, they are not "friends" with milk and yogurt, causing upset stools. For the same reason, salads made from tomatoes and cucumbers are not recommended under 3 years old.

You need to know that organic acids, which are abundant in tomato pulp, contribute to the formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys. This is a serious reason to consult a pediatrician about the advisability of introducing a new product into the diet if a child has an increased amount of oxalates in urine analysis.

Oxalic, citric, malic and tartaric acids increase the acidity of gastric juice. Therefore, with gastritis with high acidity, tomatoes in the child's diet should not exceed age norms. It is recommended to eat them in cooked dishes.

To mitigate the effect of natural acid, the preparation of multicomponent mashed potatoes will help, in which tomatoes are offered in combination with zucchini, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and carrots.

Tomato soups in vegetable and meat broths and tomato juice diluted with boiled chilled water in a 1: 1 ratio will be useful for the child.

Contraindications

Tomatoes are included with caution in the diet of children suffering from:

diseases of the gallbladder; gastritis with increased secretion; kidney disease.

An absolute contraindication is food allergy.

Children under 3 years old should not eat pickled and salted tomatoes, sauces, ketchups. It is also advisable to exclude store-bought tomato juice from the menu.

Allergy to tomatoes

Red tomatoes in children's riddles are often compared to a traffic signal. For parents, this analogy can be interpreted differently - "beware, potential allergen." Indeed, bright red and yellow tomatoes are capable of causing an allergic reaction.

A food allergy is manifested more often by redness of the skin of the cheeks. Sometimes rashes are found on the arms, buttocks and legs. Loose stools and vomiting are often associated with a rash on the skin. Less often, conjunctivitis, swelling of the nasal mucosa and a runny nose are noted. More severe allergy symptoms include swelling of the mucous lips, pharynx, and larynx, which is accompanied by difficulty breathing and requires immediate medical attention.

Allergy may be true, that is, the first introduction of tomatoes into the baby's menu. In this case, the new type of complementary foods should be abandoned for a couple of months. A false allergy occurs when a child overfeeds a product that has not previously caused negative reactions. Returning to age norms will quickly fix the problem. Simple recipes for every day Vegetable puree with tomatoes

To make homemade puree you will need: 2 potatoes, a small zucchini, carrots, young broccoli, a tomato.

Peel the potatoes and carrots and add water. Rinse the cabbage thoroughly under running water. Cut the peeled zucchini, potatoes and carrots into cubes, strips or slices. Put all vegetables in a saucepan, add water and cook until tender, focusing on potatoes. Drain and grind vegetables with a blender. Add peeled tomato puree, vegetable oil and stir well. Vegetable tomato soup

To make the soup, you need to take: half a carrot, zucchini (about 60 g), 4-5 cauliflower inflorescences, 80-100 g of pumpkin, 2 tomatoes and greens.

Wash the vegetables, cut into cubes and send to a saucepan with boiling water, slightly covering the pumpkin, carrots, cabbage, zucchini. Cook over low heat until tender. Peel the tomatoes, grind with a blender, add to vegetables, cook for another 3-4 minutes. A little salt, chopped herbs (dill, parsley) - and the soup is ready.

Homemade recipes with tomatoes are good because you can safely give them to your one-year-old baby, especially if you have grown vegetables yourself.

Also read: When can you give your child dill?

Tomato is a delicious, beautiful vegetable and contains a lot of useful elements. But at the same time, it is a fairly strong allergen. Therefore, when deciding at what age you can give a child tomatoes, this fact should be taken into account.

The benefits of tomato

First, you need to figure out what is actually so useful in this vegetable:

Tomato contains a large amount of carotene - a trace element that helps to maintain and restore vision. Accordingly, the tomato will be useful for children's eyes.
The content of pectin in a sufficiently large volume has a positive effect on digestion. In addition, this trace element reduces the level of bad cholesterol and, accordingly, blood pressure.
Tomatoes, like cucumbers, are more than half water. Accordingly, this vegetable enhances kidney function. But at the same time, when deciding at what age you can give your child tomatoes, do not forget about such a child's problem as enuresis. Therefore, you should not feed your baby this vegetable before bedtime.
Tomatoes contain trace elements: iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, copper. Tomatoes are a storehouse of vitamins of group B, A, C, PP and E.
The ripe red vegetable contains phytoncides that fight bacteria.
Acetic, glucose, fructose and mineral salts are also found in tomatoes.
Tomatoes contain a unique substance - lycopene. He is able to fight cancer cells. Moreover, the content of lycopene increases with the heat treatment of the vegetable.

When to give a vegetable to a baby?

So at how many months can a child start eating tomatoes? Despite all the obvious benefits, a tomato should not be given to a baby who is not yet a year old. Why is that? Tomatoes look beautiful on the table, improve the taste of many dishes and increase the appetite. And people, especially those who have their own backyards, strive to "vitaminize" children as early as possible. Arguments can often be heard between parents. Someone begins to give children borscht from 6 months, and someone is afraid of new rashes.

Pay attention to these points

Therefore, let us first consider the dangerous moments to which you should pay attention. In a word, we learn about the dangers of tomatoes for very small toddlers:

Possible allergic reactions. Like all brightly colored vegetables, tomatoes are a strong allergen.
When deciding at what age you can give your child tomatoes, keep in mind that too much vegetable can provoke a so-called imaginary allergy. This is when the baby becomes covered with spots and has lacrimation, nasal congestion.
A large amount of fiber contributes to bloating and discomfort in young children.
When thinking about when to start giving your child tomatoes, keep in mind that they are useful only in season. But in winter, their positive properties are very doubtful due to the content of nitrites and nitrates.

Tomatoes on the children's menu. When to add to the diet of babies?

So at what age is it recommended to give your child tomatoes? Based on all of the above, we can say that a bright tasty tomato should be offered to a baby no earlier than 11-12 months. As with any new product, you should start with half a teaspoon of juice. When thinking about at what age to start giving tomatoes to children, keep in mind that tomatoes must be cooked. This must be done until the baby is 1.5 years old. The best choice would be tomato puree or as part of the first course. In the absence of allergic reactions, you can mix different types of vegetables.

When to start giving your child tomatoes from the garden? If you follow the recommendations of children's doctors, you should wait until the age of 1.5 years and the onset of summer. But in this case, the tomato must be scalded and skinned. To "tame the acid", it is better to mix tomato puree with zucchini, cabbage or potatoes. By the way, to better assimilate the contained carotene, you should offer your baby a piece of delicious vegetable with vegetable oil.

Tomato goes well with potatoes and boiled meat. Offer your baby such a dinner, and it will only benefit him. But in this case, you should definitely give the child milk to drink, otherwise you will be guaranteed an unpleasant night. And another interesting fact. Tomato, due to the acid it contains, increases the baby's appetite. After two years, you can safely give salad, borscht and stew, which include tomatoes. Of course, if there were no unpleasant consequences from eating tomatoes before.

Contraindications for eating tomatoes

Tomatoes should not be given to a baby if he has the following problems from birth:

Gallstone disease and any suspicion of it.
Pathology of the digestive system.
Kidney disease.
Allergic reactions.

Salted and pickled tomatoes are not given to children under 3 years old. Ketchup and sauce are recommended not to be included in the children's menu for as long as possible. Tomato juice can be given, but not salted. Now let's look at simple ideas for dishes with tomatoes for a children's menu.

Tomato soup

A very healthy dish for babies. For cooking you will need:

Half a carrot.
Zucchini (about 50 gr.).
Pumpkin - 100g.
4 inflorescences of cauliflower.
2 tomatoes.

All vegetables, except tomatoes, are thoroughly washed, chopped and cooked until tender. Grind the tomato with a blender or sieve. Add it to the soup at the end of cooking. After another 3-4 minutes, throw greens into the first dish. We eat with pleasure!

Vegetable puree

For cooking you will need:

potatoes - 2 pcs.;
zucchini (about the size of a potato);
carrot;
broccoli;
a tomato;

You need to boil all the vegetables until tender and chop with a blender. Enjoy your meal.

Conclusion

Now you know at what age you can give your child tomatoes. In addition, you know how and with what to combine them. We hope our recommendations will help you.