The tomato is the most consumed vegetable in the world after the potato! In 2016, 177 million tonnes of tomatoes were grown worldwide*. It's hard not to like them, as the French eat them all year round. But when is it really the peak season? When can you start giving it to your baby and in what form? What does it provide nutritionally? How should it be stored? I will answer these questions in this article!
So is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
It is a fruit! Indeed, with its seeds, the tomato is botanically considered a fruit. However, in France, we consume it more like a vegetable and for good reason: the tomato contains 2 to 3g of carbohydrates (or sugar) compared to 5g on average for vegetables and 15 to 20g on average for fruit! Rich in water (almost 95%), the tomato is therefore interesting forhydration and regular transit of our children. It is also low in protein and fat. Tomatoes are a source of vitamin A and C , which play an important role in vision and the formation of skin, ligaments and bones, as well as in the maintenance of immune function. It should also be noted that tomatoes are an acidic food, but they do not necessarily increase reflux, which is common in young people. It should therefore be tested to find out how well baby tolerates it!
As mentioned in the introduction, tomatoes can be found on the shelves all year round but the peak season is really from May to September. This is when we find the best tomatoes, tasty and juicy... That's why it's wise to favour seasonal and local consumption!
When to use it?
This fruit can be eaten from the beginning of food diversification, i.e. between 4 and 6 months of age, first cooked and then in the form of raw vegetables. As tomatoes are eaten like vegetables, they should be presented at lunch and dinner, either with other vegetables or on their own. As a reminder, the recommended ratio in a baby's plate is : 2/3 vegetables + 1/3 starchy foods... Without forgetting the addition of fat! It is also advisable to eat it with its peel because it contains a lot ofantioxidants, essential for a good intestinal balance. However, a little advice: remove the skin during the DME (child-led diversification), at least in the early stages, as the skin can stick to the roof of your baby's mouth and cause nausea reflexes.
In terms of storage, tomatoes can be kept for a week out of the sun and at room temperature, and for three days in the refrigerator if they are ripe. Tomatoes can be stored in a jar filled with oil (preferably olive oil to keep the flavour). They can also be frozen: after blanching, peeling and draining. If baby's digestion is difficult, it is better to offer him peeled and seeded tomatoes!
Finally, as usual, here are some examples of recipes to delight your little ones: Provençal tomatoes, tomato coulis or sauce, tomato starter with feta or mozzarella, tomatoes stuffed with ricotta, tomato crumble with parmesan baked in the oven, tomato compote with peppers, gazpacho, cherry tomato/ham clafouti, aubergine gratin with tomato, egg scramble with tomato, or for dessert, a strawberry and tomato tartar! Don't forget to treat baby's taste buds by varying the colour of the tomatoes, as there are many varieties!
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
Sources
- * : OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL TOMATO MARKET - HortitecNews
- CIQUAL : Tomato : Calories and nutritional composition | Aprifel (August 2021)
