Popular with babies and the moms who love them.
As tasteful to baby as it is healthy, cantaloupe is a baby food staple. This member of the melon family is a good source of potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C, contains a high water content, is low in calories, and is also fat free. These characteristics help to promote both body and brain development, while also boosting baby’s immune system. In addition, cantaloupe contains beta-carotene, which helps to enhance vision and eye development. Although some reference encourages cantaloupe consumption by baby as early as 6 months, most pediatricians recommend introducing melons to your little one when she is 8 to 10 months old.
A delicious addition to your baby’s diet.
After purchasing cantaloupe (or any melon), be sure to store it in the refrigerator, even it has not been cut open, to ensure freshness. The soft, watery texture of cantaloupe makes it easily chewable for baby as a delicious finger food. Cantaloupe can be mixed with other diced fruits, such as bananas, pears blueberries, avocadoes, and watermelon, and is also great pureed. Also consider mixing cantaloupe with yogurt for a tasty, desert-style treat – many moms even mix it with cereal. For leftovers, trying freezing diced cantaloupe. This makes for less waste while also supplying you with a soothing, cool treat you can give your little one in a baby safe feeder. The mealtime possibilities for this versatile melon are virtually endless!
Interesting cantaloupe facts.
Cantaloupe is named after Cantalupo, Italy, the city where cantaloupe was originally cultivated from Armenia melon seeds in the 1700s. Legend has it that Christopher Columbus first brought melon seeds to what is now the United States, which were later cultivated by Spanish explorers in California. Cantaloupe is sometimes called “muskmelon” and is the most common melon in the U.S. The majority of cantaloupe produced in the U.S. is grown in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Delicious cantaloupe recipes.
Try one of these easy to make healthy cantaloupe recipes.