You CAN make your own baby food!

How many of you have walked out of the grocery store with an extra $50 or so tacked onto your weekly bill because you had to buy baby foods?  I have.

Then, as your child grows, there are stages 1, 2, 3 and “graduated” versions of foods marketed for toddlers. Unfortunately, the foods for toddlers are normally glorified processed adult foods, just in smaller packages.

Then you have so-called “nutrition shakes”, which are also marketed to young children.  Just reading the nutrition facts on a bottle of PediaSure makes me want to scream.  18 grams of sugar.  That is more than four teaspoons of sugar!  Not to mention all kinds of poor quality processed oils, chemicals and synthetic vitamins, which are bodies have trouble absorbing.

So why not just make your own?  Trust me.  It’s really not as time-consuming as you’d think.  Of course, there will always be times and occasions, where it is simply easier to purchase a jar of baby food, or something pre-made for an older child, but for the majority of the time, try some homemade foods.

I’ve listed some examples of foods and ways to prepare them, which can be adjusted to meet the needs of babies and toddlers alike.  I only list a few fruits and vegetables, but be adventurous!  Unless something gives your baby tummy trouble, is an allergen, or their pediatrician does not recommend it (always check with them first), feel free to offer your baby or toddler all kinds of fruits and vegetables, as well as high quality proteins.

Tips and Tricks

Read labels on baby food jars at the store to get an idea of flavor combinations and added seasonings.  Some baby foods are starting to get really “adventurous” and are adding onions and different seasonings.

Experiment with combining different foods.  You will see what your baby likes and does not like, and what may upset his/her stomach.  Certain vegetables may make your child gassy, so take a “test and see” approach.

Make batches in advance.  You’ve probably heard this before, but it really helps. If you are baking sweet potatoes, also throw in squash, or any other baked vegetables you want make and cook them at once.

Freeze it.  This food, unless you freeze it, will only last for a few days.

Feed the baby what you’re having.  Only throw it in the blender.  I say this with the caveat that you are eating a mainly unprocessed, whole food diet, with lots of vegetables and clean protein.  So say you’re having wild-caught salmon, mashed potatoes and salad.  Throw the salmon and mashed potatoes into the blender, and maybe add a little liquid if needed.  The salad could be blended with a little water and thickened with a small amount of rice if necessary.

If you blend up a mixture that is thin and runny, add some precooked rice or steel cut oats to thicken it up.  Start with a small amount, blend, and then add more if necessary.

If your budget is tight, refer to the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” lists, to see which fruits and vegetables have lower pesticide residue, and which should always be purchased organic.

In case you were wondering, babies and toddlers can have green smoothies too! Experiment with different combinations of fruits, greens and vegetables.  Bananas and avocados always form a good base to thicken up a smoothie.

Tools

1. A good blender
2. Containers, preferably not plastic, to store the food in. I use cleaned out old baby food jars.
3. A spatula

 

If you are preparing these foods for a baby who is just starting solid foods, or is unable to really chew yet, always puree in a blender.  Babies who are seasoned pros at eating solid foods can be given gently mashed and diced versions of these foods.  Use your judgement here.

Ingredients

*Organic frozen fruits and vegetables are great too.

Veggies (preferably organic)

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Zucchini
• Summer Squash
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Spinach
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Acorn Squash
• Pumpkin
• Winter Squash

Preferred preparation method for vegetables: Saute in Grass-fed butter until tender.

Preparation method for root vegetables and squash: Bake in the oven at about 375F until cooked through

Here are two great articles that explain the best ways to prepare foods for nutrient preservation.  Here and here.

 

 

Fruit

• Bananas
• Apples
• Pears
• Watermelon
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Plums
• Avocados
• Cantaloupe
• Berries (check with pediatrician first, as some berries, such as strawberries, can be allergenic)

Notes on preparation: Many of these fruits can be blended raw.  You may want to try sauteing or baking some of the harder fruit, such as apples and pears, which have a wonderful flavor when prepared this way.  You can try adding a little cinnamon or nutmeg, along with some grass-fed butter, depending on the baby’s age and preferences.

Proteins

• Grass-fed beef
• Grass-fed lamb
• Venison
• Organ meats, such as liver, from grass-fed, pasture raised animals
• Pastured pork
• Pastured chicken
• Wild-caught fish, de-boned
• Pastured eggs, or if the baby is young, pastured egg yolks.  The white of the egg can be allergenic, so just double-check with the child’s pediatrician first.

A note on protein quality:  While grass-fed, pasture raised and wild-caught meats, fish and eggs are superior in nutritional quality, not everyone has access to these things.  If this is the case, go for lean cuts of meat, as the toxins and antibiotics fed to the animals tend to accumulate in the fat.  Another possibility which requires an investment up front, but tends to save money in the long run is buying meat from a local farmer.  Here is a great resource for finding farmers in your area.

Liquids to add to blender if needed

• Water
• Bone broth from grass-fed, pastured animals
• Organic Chicken, Beef or vegetable broth (always double check to make sure there are no additives, such as MSG lurking in there.
• Breastmilk

Meal Template

Here is an easy template to follow:  

Protein + Vegetable + Minimally processed carbohydrate + fruit

Remember, all of these can be pureed to suit the needs of a baby or softened and diced for toddlers.  Whatever is appropriate for your child.

I hope that this was helpful to you.  What foods does your baby like?  Have you discovered any winning combinations? Please share the comments section below.