Dates can provide lot of health benefits. Dates are high in iron content and fluorine. Dates are rich source of vitamins and minerals. Consuming dates regularly can help to lower cholesterol and keep many health disorders away.They not only provide instant energy, but they also contain essential vitamins and minerals which are much needed for child growth.

1. Health benefits of Dates for Babies-http://parentinghealthybabies.com/an-infographic-
on-health-benefits-of-dates-in-baby-food/
Dates are one of the best foods that have ever been discovered by man. Dates impart good
health to us as they are packed with a plethora of nutrients. Some of the benefits from dates
include remedy for gastrointestinal disturbances like ulcers, protection of liver, promotion of
dental health, nourishment in fevers, remedy for dysentery and a natural laxative. Due to their
instant energy restoring property, they are generally taken during breakfast.
Introducing dates in baby food can be a very good idea due to the very reasons given above.
They not only provide instant energy, but they also contain essential vitamins and minerals
which are much needed for child growth.
History of dates
Dates are considered as one of the earliest known fruits to be cultivated in Mesopotamia, now
in Iraq, for over 5000 years. In ancient times, date palms were grown in the Middle East and
northern Africa. Date palms have been of particular interest in the Middle East and Africa
because few other plants can grow in that harsh, desert environment.
For a very long time, date palms have provided not only with fruits but the whole tree has
also been used extensively for various purposes. These included ornament, shelter, fiber and
fuel purposes of ancient people. Date palms are also used for various religious purposes as

2. well. Now, dates have spread from the Middle East to other places around the world. Now,
date palms can be found in most tropical and subtropical countries in the world. In the Unites
States, dates are grown mainly in southern states ranging from Florida to California. Today,
dates are of commercial value because of their exotic nature and due to a whole range of
health benefits that they offer. Saudi Arabia tops as the highest producer of dates in the
world, at 1350 metric tonnes for the year 2009. (Hodel, Johnson, Imported and American
Varieties of Dates).
Nutritional value of dates
According to the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference by the Unites States
Department of Agriculture, 100 g of date fruit contains
Nutrition Value per 100 g Nutrition Value per 100 g
Water 21 g Sodium 1 mg
Energy 277 kcal Zinc 0.44 mg
Protein 1.81 g Thiamin 0.05 mg
Total lipid (fat) 0.15 g Riboflavin 0.060 mg
Carbohydrates 75 g Niacin 1.61 mg
Fiber 6.7 g Vitamin B-6 0.249 mg
Sugar 66 g Folate 15 ug
Calcium 64 mg Vitamin A 149 IU
Iron 0.9 mg Vitamin K 2.7 ug
Magnesium 54 mg
Phosphorous 62 mg
Potassium 696 mg
As the above evidence indicates, dates contain high amounts of minerals and vitamins such as
calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin K,
folate, and niacin.
Can dates be introduced in the diet of toddlers?
Yes, dates can be introduced in baby’s food, once they are about 6 months old or solid or
semi-solid food has already started. The nutritional value found in dates is of significant
importance for baby’s development. By introducing dates in baby’s fruit, you can make sure
that your baby gets the best nutrition.
You can start adding dates one at a time, along with other fruits. You can either mash the fruit
or better steam it along with other fruits. The sweet taste of dates will complement other
fruits well and your baby will like it.
Health benefits of dates
Let us examine the benefits of introducing dates into baby food.
Nutrient rich food: As mentioned earlier, dates have high amounts of vitamins and minerals
which are essential for your baby’s growth. Some of which include calcium and magnesium

3. are indispensible for bone health. As dates are high in calcium and magnesium, they are ideal
for babies and toddlers whose bones are still developing. Potassium is another mineral which
is found in dates and is important for baby’s growth and brain development. (Office of
Dietary Supplements)
Remedy for intestinal disturbances: Dates have been noted to be good remedy for intestinal
disturbances. They help in eliminating parasitic organisms and help in establishing colonies
of friendly bacteria in intestines. (HK Bakhru, Foods That Heal, pp 37)
Liver protection: In infants and children particularly, liver gets affected easily by bacterial
and viral infections. Typhoid, hepatitis, jaundice are some of the very common diseases
which are found in infants and children. During such times, apart from seeking medical help,
you can include dates in your baby’s diet. Studies show that dates have significant liver
protective properties. (Vyawahare et al, 2009)
Remedy for gastric ulcers: Children and toddlers can also suffer from acidity, acid reflux
and ulcers in some cases. In such conditions, dates can be given to the baby in addition to
regular treatment. Research shows that dates can reduce ulcers significantly. Ask your
paediatrician for contraindications of the medicine and dates. If it is okay, then you can
include dates in your baby’s food. (Vyawahare et al, 2009).
Dates for stronger teeth: Teething infants can be given ripened dates for better dental
development. Chewing dates can strengthen their gums and their teeth can grow quicker and
stronger. (Nadeem et al, 2011.)
Nourishing during fevers and smallpox: Dates infused in milk is very nourishing to
toddlers and children. This infusion can be particularly given when your baby is recovering
from fevers and smallpox. Rich in nutrients, dates promote speedy recovery. This can also be
used for adults.
Remedy for dysentery: Toddlers can also suffer dysentery. Bacterial infection in the large
intestine generally causes dysentery. The sweet pulp of dates is good for controlling
dysentery.
Relieves from constipation: Date fruit contains high amount of dietary fiber. This is
essential for adding bulk to the stool and promotes water absorption in the stool. This results
in smooth bowel movement.
Measures to be taken while adding dates to your child’s diet
Unripe dates contain tannins which may cause adverse reactions in toddlers and children.
Hence, opt for only ripened dates.
A better age for introducing dates to your child’s diet can be after 6 months or after you have
started feeding solid or semi-solid foods.
In the beginning, add one date at a time to your child. Make sure that the fruit is steamed not
boiled, as boiling can wash away all the necessary ingredients. Mash this steamed date to

4. make sure that is easily chewable for infants with no teeth. Don’t forget to remove the seed.
Seedless dates are better choice.
Date can be added as a complementary fruit to other fruit mash ups that you are giving to
your child, if any. In such a case, you make sure to give the date without adding it with any
fruit, initially. So, you give dates as evening snack. In this way, you can note any allergic
reactions, if any. If there are no reactions, then you can add dates in the regular diet.
As your baby grows older, you can slowly introduce raw dates, when your baby is teething.
Resources:
N. Vyawahare, R. Pujari, A. Khsirsagar, D. Ingawale, M. Patil, V. Kagathara: Phoenix
dactylifera: An update of its indegenous uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. The
Internet Journal of Pharmacology. 2009 Volume 7 Number 1. DOI: 10.5580/164b
http://www.ispub.com/journal/the-internet-journal-of-pharmacology/volume-7-number-
1/phoenix-dactylifera-an-update-of-its-indegenous-uses-phytochemistry-and-
pharmacology.html#sthash.BFH4Onmb.dpuf
Nadeem, Rehman, Anjum, Zahoor, Saeed, Ahmad, 2011, Anti-nutritional Factors in Some
Date Palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) Varieties Grown in Pakistan, Internet Journal of Food
Safety, Vol.1 3, 201 1, p. 386 – 390. http://www.internetjfs.org/articles/ijfsv13-61.pdf
Website: www.parentinghealthybabies.com