APRICOT CHICKEN BABY FOOD RECIPE: FACTS
APRICOT FACTS
Vitamin A
Apricots are a great source of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is present in a number of foods. Vitamin A helps to promote normal vision, proper immune system function, maintaining healthy skin, teeth,and promoting skeletal and soft tissue development.
There are two different types of vitamin A. The first type, preformed vitamin A, is found in meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. The second type, provitamin A, is found in fruits and vegetables. The most common type of provitamin A in foods and dietary supplements is beta-carotene.
Potassium
Apricots provide a great amount of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps you maintain proper fluid balance, aids in muscle function, and helps regulate heartbeat. Potassium also promotes healthy digestion and strong bones.
Fiber
Apricots contain significant amounts of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber content is especially high which in adults promotes healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. FIber naturally combats constipation and is a great component of apricots in order to promote digestive health and regularity.
CHICKEN FACTS
1. High in Protein
If you’re looking for a great source of lean, low fat protein, this bird is the word. The protein in chicken lends itself to muscle growth and development, and help support a healthy body weight.
2. Mood Booster
Chicken, like its brother fowl the turkey, is high in an amino acid called tryptophan, which gives that comforting feeling after consuming a big bowl of mom’s chicken soup. Eating this poultry will increase the serotonin levels in the brain, enhancing mood, and lulling your baby to sleep.
3. Bone Formation
With the amount of protein in this bird, it aids in bone formation and muscle growth. This aids in a healthy weight for your little one.
4. Poultry for Heart Health
Homocysteine is an amino acid that can cause cardiovascular disease if levels are high in the body. Fortunately for us, eating chicken breast suppresses and controls homocysteine levels.
5. Plenty of Phosphorus
Chicken is also rich in phosphorus, an essential mineral that supports the teeth and bones, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system function.
6. Seeking Selenium?
Chicken also abundant in selenium, an essential mineral involved in metabolic performance—in other words thyroid, hormone, metabolism, and immune function.
7. B Vitamins
Vitamin B6 (or B-complex vitamins) encourage enzymes and metabolic cellular reactions (or a process known as Methylation), which means eating this bird will keep blood vessels healthy, energy levels high, and metabolism burning calories so you can manage a healthy weight and activity level.
8. Rich in Niacin
Chicken also happens to be rich in niacin, one particular B-vitamin that guards against cancer and other forms of genetic (DNA) damage.
9. Promotes Eye Health
Chicken is high in retinol, alpha and beta-carotene, and lycopene, all derived from vitamin A, and all vital for healthy eyesight.
10. Essential for Healthy Tissue Growth
Many of us are plagued with chapped lips, cracked mouths, tongue sores, or dry skin in winter. However, a boost in riboflavin (or Vitamin B2), found in chicken livers, will drastically reduce your skin problems and repair dry or damaged skin.
APRICOT CHICKEN BABY FOOD RECIPE: INGREDIENTS
1 medium chicken breast, cooked
1 apricot peeled and diced
Breastmilk/formula, on hand (optional)
APRICOT CHICKEN BABY FOOD RECIPE: STEPS
- Puree the chicken and apricot
- Add breastmilk/formula, as needed, to achieve desired consistency. Add 1 tbs at a time.
- Serve, or freeze