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Strawberry Smiles
The Perfect Berry for Tiny Tummies
By Donna Smith
Biting into a sweet, juicy strawberry screams that summer is in full swing. Children of all ages seem to love these plump, red berries. Why not introduce your toddler or preschooler to this vitamin-packed fruit?
"Strawberries are a fun and nutritious option for toddlers and preschoolers," says Peggy O'Shea, a Boston-based nutritionist and president of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association. "Not only are they bright and colorful (which kids love), but they pack a powerful nutritious punch (which Moms and Dads love), and can even be fun to grow and pick!"
Unlike some other fruits, strawberries can be grown quite easily at home – even in a patio planter. "And having delicious and healthy strawberries to pick will delight most children!" O'Shea says. But how do they stack up nutritionally?
"Strawberries are quite nutritious!" O'Shea says. "They are high in fiber and contain many beneficial vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate and vitamin C. In fact, a serving of strawberries can have as much – or more – vitamin C than an orange!"
Strawberries are also fat and cholesterol free and have significant antioxidant properties. "Like other berries, they are a rich source of phenols, one of which is anthocyanin, which gives the strawberries not only its rich red color, but also a lot of its antioxidant punch," O'Shea says.