From what age can you give onions to a child?

Known for their nutritional value, onions are a staple ingredient in many recipes. Parents frequently question whether it’s safe and when to introduce them to young children, though. Knowing how to safely add onions to your child’s diet is important because they have a strong flavor and can be difficult to digest.

As with any new dish, it’s best to add onions little by little. The child’s digestive system and level of readiness for solid foods determine when onions can be given. Certain children can be exposed to onions sooner in cooked form, while others might require a little more time.

This article will discuss when it’s okay to introduce onions to your child, how to cook them so there’s less chance of gastrointestinal distress, and how to incorporate this nutritious vegetable into their meals.

Benefits

  • It is a source of vitamins B1, E, C, B3 and beta-carotene. It contains many minerals (calcium, sodium, copper, cobalt phosphorus), essential oils and fiber.
  • Due to the content of flavonoids, it can strengthen the vascular walls and prevent tumor processes.
  • Raw onions are noted to increase appetite and stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, as well as mucus in the bronchi.
  • Eating the product raw stimulates metabolic processes and normalizes bowel function.
  • Thermally processed onions do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract, normalize stool, have a beneficial effect on the heart and blood glucose levels.
  • Chewing green onions has a positive effect on the condition of the teeth and oral cavity, destroying harmful bacteria.

Check out the benefits of onions in the video.

Disadvantages

  • In fresh form, it is a spicy product that can irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
  • In raw form, it is quite hard, so it should be given to children who are able to chew such a product well, or it should be thoroughly chopped for a child.
  • Boiled onions do not contain phytoncides and some vitamins are lost.
  • Green onions should not be consumed in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver.
  • Both onions and green onions should not be taken with bronchial asthma.
  • An allergic reaction to fresh onions is possible, but, as a rule, allergy sufferers eat it in boiled form without any problems.

Watch "Live Healthy" to learn whether onions or green onions are healthier.

A child may benefit from eating onions, but it’s crucial to wait until they’re ready. Around 8 to 10 months old, it’s generally safe to give small amounts of cooked onions. The digestive system of a baby responds better to cooked onions than to raw ones. Before introducing new foods to your child, always check with your pediatrician to make sure they are suitable for their individual needs.

From what age can you introduce complementary foods?

When a child tries complementary vegetable foods around the age of 7-8 months, it is advised to introduce onions to them. We are discussing a product that has undergone heat processing.

After three years, if there are no digestive tract illnesses, both raw and green onions are added to the children’s menu.

In what form to give?

Onions are only given to infants under one year old in boiled form; other vegetables, such as potatoes, zucchini, carrots, or pumpkin, can be pureed with onions.

For kids older than three, raw onions are added to salads and first and second courses. One medium onion, divided into two to four meals, is the maximum amount that can be consumed daily.

Recipes for delicious dishes

  • Baked. The onion is greased with olive oil and baked for 40 minutes in the oven. Such a product has a soft and very pleasant taste.
  • Stuffed. The filling for onions can be both vegetable and meat, for example, from ground turkey. Rinse and peel the inside of the onions, fill them with the filling and steam them or bake them in the oven. You can sprinkle cheese on top of the stuffed onions.
  • Omelette. Most often, green onions are used for this dish. They are finely chopped, poured with a beaten egg with a small amount of milk and baked in the oven or fried in a pan.
  • Salads. Onions are often an ingredient in a cucumber and tomato salad, seasoned with sour cream. Also, chopped onions can be added to salads from boiled vegetables – beets, carrots, potatoes.

Tips for choosing

Since red and white onions taste better and are less spicy than yellow onions, they are better options for feeding a child. Leeks are a vegetable that can be cooked for kids as well because they don’t taste bitter or smell bad.

When selecting onions, look for dense heads devoid of any dark patches or green feathers, and with dry, unbroken husks. When purchasing green onions, be sure the product is fresh.

Age Type of Onion
6-8 months Cooked onions in purees
12 months Small amounts of raw onion
2-3 years Larger quantities of raw onion in meals

Adding onions to your child’s diet can be beneficial as they provide a variety of nutrients and flavors. To make sure their digestive system can handle it, it’s important to introduce them at the appropriate age. Around the age of one to two years, once your child has grown accustomed to a variety of solid foods, the majority of experts advise starting with small amounts.

It’s critical to monitor your child’s reaction to onions because some may find them overpowering or cause gastrointestinal distress. When onions are cooked thoroughly, their flavor becomes milder and they become easier to digest. Always begin with little amounts and observe your child’s reaction.

It’s a good idea to speak with your pediatrician before making any dietary changes for your child, as you should with any new food. Based on the growth and well-being of your child, they can offer tailored guidance. Onions can be a delicious and wholesome addition to your child’s meals if they are introduced carefully.

Videos on the topic

Onion complementary feeding. How to introduce onions. Veal, buckwheat and carrot soup. Everything is easy, fast and tasty.

At what age can you give onions to a child?

At what age can you give onions to a child?

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Onions and garlic for the prevention of ARVI – Doctor Komarovsky

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Svetlana Kozlova

Family consultant and family relationship specialist. I help parents build trusting relationships with their children and each other. I believe that a healthy atmosphere in the home is the key to happiness and harmony, which I share in articles and recommendations.

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