Benefits of okra for infants, the vitamins it is rich in, and how to prepare it

Okra can be introduced to your baby when he is ready to eat solid foods, usually around six months old. Okra has many health benefits, as it contains a range of essential vitamins and minerals, in addition to antioxidants and laxative properties thanks to dietary fiber, which helps treat diarrhea, dysentery and combat anemia. You can learn more about the benefits and harms of okra for infants and ways to introduce it to your baby through the Dalili Medical website.

**What is okra?**

Okra is also known as lady's fingers or Indian, and it is a flowering plant that belongs to the mallow family. Okra grows in tropical areas and is considered a popular food in the Arab Republic of Egypt, as it can be prepared in many ways. Okra contains a good percentage of nutrients that are beneficial to the body, and is considered a healthy vegetable, but it should be noted that overeating it may lead to negative effects.

**Does okra cause constipation in infants?**

Okra does not cause constipation in infants, but on the contrary, it is considered a natural treatment for digestive problems and constipation thanks to its high fiber content.

**When can a baby eat okra?**

A baby can eat okra when he is six months old, which is when he starts eating solid foods.

**Nutritional value of okra**

Okra contains a range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, including vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, C and K. It also provides dietary fiber, in addition to folic acid, calcium, zinc, manganese, magnesium and beta-carotene.

**Ways to serve okra to infants**

**From 6 to 9 months old:** You can serve okra cooked whole or cut in half lengthwise, removing the seeds to make it easier for your baby to eat. Your baby may find it difficult to eat okra because of its texture, so it is preferable to serve it with other foods that are easy for him to eat.

**From 9 to 18 months:** When your baby starts to develop a pincer grasp (which combines the thumb and index finger), you can offer cooked okra cut into half-moon shapes as a snack, either on its own or with boiled rice.

**From 18 to 24 months:** At this stage, you can offer okra in a variety of ways. Try serving it with other foods, such as okra with sauce, minced meat, or chicken.

**Best time to introduce okra to infants**

The ideal age to introduce okra to infants is six months, when it is allowed to be introduced into solid foods. Breastfeeding mothers are also advised to eat okra, as it can enhance its benefits to the baby through breast milk, which contributes to supporting him in his growth stages.

**Benefits of okra for infants**

Okra is one of the easily available foods, whether fresh, canned, or frozen, and it is also easy to prepare. Mothers are advised to give okra to their children due to its many health benefits, the most prominent of which are:

- **Nutritious meal:** Okra is a meal rich in the essential nutrients that infants need, such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B6, which helps support their healthy growth.

- **Strengthening the immune system:** Okra contains vitamin C, which enhances the strength of the immune system in infants, which helps the body produce antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses. Studies have shown that it reduces the likelihood of catching colds, flu, and sore throat.

- **Rich in antioxidants:** Antioxidants are essential for children in their early years to avoid future health risks. Research has shown that okra is rich in antioxidants that enhance brain function and strengthen the nervous system, in addition to its role in supporting heart health and reducing the risk of cancer.

**Constipation treatment** Constipation is a common problem among infants, and this problem can be overcome by giving the child a meal of okra. Okra contains large amounts of fiber that promotes bowel movement and helps soften stool, which helps get rid of constipation and other intestinal problems.

**Anemia prevention** Okra is rich in folic acid and vitamin C, which enhances the body's ability to produce red blood cells. This helps protect the infant from anemia and its serious complications that may negatively affect his ability to breathe and heart rate.

**Accelerating walking and speech** Okra contains nutritional values ​​and compounds that support bone building, muscle strengthening and improving brain function, which enhances communication and concentration skills. All of this contributes to accelerating the process of walking and speech in children.

**An important source of vitamins and minerals** Okra is a good source of vitamins such as "A, C, B, E", in addition to thiamine, niacin and folic acid, which play a vital role in the child's growth. It also contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc, all of which are essential for his growth and motor and sensory development.

**Fighting free radicals** Okra is an excellent source of antioxidants, as consuming sufficient amounts of antioxidants helps combat free radicals that form during metabolism, which can lead to many diseases.

**How ​​to prepare okra for infants**

1. Wash the okra well with filtered water, then peel it to make it easy for your child to digest.

2. Use a knife to cut the top of the okra, and put it in a pot or pan with an appropriate amount of water depending on the amount of okra.

3. Leave the okra to boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot or pan until it is cooked.

4. Continue cooking the okra until it is cooked, then turn off the heat and place it in a plate to serve to your child.

You should avoid serving hot okra to your child to avoid mouth inflammation, so it is recommended to wait until it cools down or reduces its temperature before serving it.

Distinctive okra recipes for infants

Given the many health benefitsFor okra for infants, it is recommended to encourage the child to eat it by preparing a variety of delicious dishes, which helps avoid getting bored of repeating the same flavor. Here are some recipes:

Okra with Cheddar Cheese Recipe

**Ingredients:**

- A cup of okra cut into small slices

- A chopped tomato

- A chopped onion

- A pinch of ground black pepper

- Three tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese

- A tablespoon of olive oil

**How ​​to prepare:**

1. In a bowl or pan, mix the okra, tomatoes, onions, black pepper, and cheddar cheese with a tablespoon of olive oil.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 Fahrenheit).

3. Place the ingredients in the oven and watch them until they are cooked.

4. After cooking, turn off the oven and leave the okra to cool for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

5. Serve okra in a plate for your child to enjoy.

Okra with sweet potato recipe

- A cup of okra

- A small chopped onion

- A little oil

- A crushed garlic clove

- A chopped tomato

- A sprinkle of turmeric

- A sprinkle of cinnamon

- A sweet potato cut into small slices

1. Heat a pan and add a little oil to fry the onions and garlic until they wilt.

2. Add turmeric and cinnamon and stir the ingredients well.

3. If the mixture dries, you can add a little water.

4. Add the tomatoes and stir the ingredients again.

5. Add the potato slices.

6. Cover the pan and leave it on low heat for a third of an hour while following up.

7. If the mixture dries, you can add a little water.

8. Add the chopped okra while covering the pan.

9. Follow up the mixture until it is cooked.

10. After cooking, turn off the heat.

11. Leave the mixture to cool for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

12. Serve okra in a plate for your child.

**Harms of okra to infants:**

In general, there are no potential harms from offering okra to infants when offered correctly and in moderate quantities after consulting a pediatrician. It is usually safe to give okra to your child when they start eating solid food. Due to the consistency and texture of okra, it may be difficult to prepare a smooth puree that can be fed to the child before this stage, as its sticky nature and the presence of seeds make it difficult for the child to chew at first. Otherwise, okra does not pose any risk to your child in terms of food allergies. You may notice that your child's stomach may soften and he may defecate once or twice after eating okra, and this is normal. However, if you notice signs of diarrhea or irritation in the diaper area, you should consult a doctor immediately. As with any new food, it is best to introduce a small amount at first and closely monitor the child's reaction. If there is no negative reaction, you can gradually increase the amount in the following meals.