Are Fruit Purees Healthy for Children?
On the Polish food market, practically in every grocery store, we can find many purees to choose from, from various brands. They can be divided into:
fruit purees
fruit and vegetable purees
those with additives, e.g., flakes, nuts, flaxseed, etc.
Fruit purees, as the name suggests, are mainly made from fruits. However, the technological process to which fruits are subjected affects the fact that they do not contain the same nutrients as fruits and vegetables consumed “raw.” Therefore, the statement that fruit purees are a substitute for fruits is incorrect!
First and foremost, fruits or vegetables given to children without processing are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as a great source of antioxidants and flavonoids in our diet.
Why Purees Don’t Replace Fruits?
Thermal and mechanical processing always affects the loss of nutrients to some extent. Thus, the content of vitamins, minerals, and fiber in the product decreases. In the case of purees, fruits are, among others, chopped, blended, cooked, and pasteurized (i.e., exposed to high temperatures). Therefore, the ingredients in the puree do not provide the same health benefits. They contain fewer vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and more simple sugars. Discussing purees, it is also worth emphasizing the role of dietary fiber, which exists in raw fruits and vegetables but is almost absent in purees. It is primarily responsible for:
keeping us feeling full longer after a meal,
lowering blood glucose concentration (thus maintaining energy levels longer),
lowering cholesterol levels,
protecting against constipation, among other things.
These are just a few of its health-promoting actions.
Nutritional Value of Purees vs. Raw Fruits
1 medium-sized apple provides:
88 kcal
23g carbohydrates
0.4g protein
0.3g fat
4.1g dietary fiber
1 package of puree, e.g., from Auchan provides:
110 kcal
24g carbohydrates
0.4g protein
0.4g fat
2.2g dietary fiber*
*(theoretically, it's hard to predict how much dietary fiber was lost during processing)
Here it is also worth noting that giving 1 apple will keep a child fuller for longer. Whereas giving a puree, a child usually eats more than just one package and, due to the lack of fiber, will be hungry sooner.
Should We Categorically Exclude Purees from Children's Diet?
In theory, probably yes, because it's hard to find positive aspects compared to fruits. However, in practice, I understand that we live in times where everyone is looking for quick solutions, and children, especially the youngest, have their taste preferences, which can sometimes be hard to overcome. We cannot forget that parents are primarily responsible for teaching healthy habits and choices to their children. In caring for the youngest, remember that purees should not appear too often in their diet, and definitely not daily! Unfortunately, this can be observed. Remember, purees do not replace fruits in the diet. Use them but sparingly. :)
Which Purees Are the Healthiest?
If we choose purees, it is worth opting for fruit and vegetable ones, and preferably those with additives, as they will provide more dietary fiber (e.g., flakes), protein (e.g., yogurt), fats (e.g., flaxseed). Thus, such a puree will keep us fuller for longer. We can also use them as a good alternative, e.g., when packing snacks for children on a trip with Fajny Czas. In a travel lunch box, besides puree, it's worth adding, for instance, nuts or tortillas with additives.
Below I will present you the best options among purees from popular stores. After reading this article, as you might guess, these will be the ones with additives. :) I also prepared a video about purees that you can watch on TikTok Fajny Czas!
Link ➡️ here!
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