When it’s time to start feeding baby solid foods, you can buy them pre-made if you like. But that isn’t the only option! Do you know you can make nutritious homemade baby foods right at home? It’s easy to do, and it’s going to save you money. Are you ready to learn more?
Nutritious Homemade Baby Foods
Homemade baby foods aren’t difficult. With the right tools, you can make some of them fresh for every meal, in just minutes. You can also prep ahead of time, and refrigerate for a day or two, or freeze for later. There are definitely options. Here are the tips and tricks you need to know to make delicious, nutritious homemade baby foods yourself.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always an option for homemade baby food, but it isn’t the only one. It’s perfectly acceptable to use fruits and vegetables frozen or canned in their own juices. Don’t use those that are preserved in heavy syrups–that’s way too much sugar for baby.
Making homemade baby food can be simple, or it can be more involved. It all depends on what you want to do. An easy place to begin is with mashed banana, or a mashed up avocado. For an older baby, you can leave small chunks. For a new eater, it’s best to puree it smooth with a food processor or Magic Bullet Baby Care System.
When you make your own baby food, it’s a good idea to try some blends like you’d find on your grocer’s baby care aisle. One delicious blend is carrots & apples. Baby gets more nutrition and learns to be a more adventurous eater too.
Above all, you must be very careful about sanitation when making baby foods at home! Here are some important considerations to make:
- Wash all fresh vegetables and fruits before peeling or cutting.
- Cook vegetables and fruits such as apples until they’re tender.
- Never sweeten fruits or vegetables, especially with honey. Honey is a no-no for infants under 12 months of age!
- Freeze prepared baby foods in small portions. An ice cube tray works really well for this! Once frozen, place cubes of baby food into a resealable plastic freezer bag.
- When pureeing food for baby from your family’s meal, take out baby’s portion at the end of cooking time, but before you season it. Once your baby is older and more used to solid foods, you can puree it after seasoning.
For more homemade baby food ideas, check out 8 Wholesome Recipes for Baby.