Homemade baby food

May 17, 3:32 PMVirginia Beach Natural Parenting ExaminerTiffany Bertolacci

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Photo: S. Bertolacci.  Homemade baby food: peas.

Homemade baby food costs less than manufactured food.  A baby food jar of non-organic green beans at a Virginia Beach Farm Fresh Store costs $0.19/ounce.  A bag of fresh frozen organic green beans at the same store also costs $0.19/ounce, but does not have any added ingredients like water. 

Next time you are at the grocery store, compare the cost of a frozen bag of peas to that of a small jar of pureed peas for baby.  Additionally, the food in the bag can be eaten by most members of the family: steam some for the adults and older children, then puree some for baby.  Leftovers can be easily pureed, poured into ice cube trays, then placed in the freezer.  After about 24 hours, pop the frozen cubes of food into a freezer-safe container.  When the baby needs to be fed, just defrost or heat the frozen cubes and feed to baby! 

Another factor that makes homemade baby food less expensive involves the fact that the canning process denatures nutrients in our foods.  As foods placed into cans and jars must be heated to high temperatures to kill microorganisms, the nutritious parts of the food are killed or damaged, too.  So even the "natural" or "organic" prepared baby foods can be far less nutrient dense than foods that have been prepared at home.

Unless you follow the scenario outlined above in the second paragraph, it does require some time to prepare baby food at home.  However, as little as 30 to 60 minutes per week can build up a variety of healthy and nutritious foods for your baby. 

Fresh, locally grown and sold fruits and vegetables often contain the highest nutrient levels.  However, frozen fruits and vegetables can also be good to use, too.  The benefits to freshly frozen produce is it is harvested and frozen at its peak of nutritiousness.  Freshly frozen produce can also save time.  Many products are already cut, cleaned and ready to cook.  So frozen foods can be beneficial for parents who have less time to clean and peel foods before cooking.

Another benefit to homemade baby food is that babies learn what food really tastes like.  Canned food tastes sweeter than homemade food (unless parents add sweeteners).  Some manufacturers add sugars, but the canning process also breaks down more of the complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.  This makes the food taste more sweet.  By becoming accustomed to sweeter foods as babies, children may be more reluctant to eat regular tasting fruits and vegetables later in life.  

Special care needs to be taken to prevent food-borne illnesses.  Utensils should be thoroughly cleaned.  Cooking small batches also helps to minimize the amount of time that food is in the "danger zone," where bacterial growth is most rampant.  Books on making homemade baby food detail food safety and required kitchen equipment.

Parents should consult with their children's physicians regarding what foods to introduce when.  Many baby food books also provide guides and tables recommending what foods should be introduced when.  Currently, the American Pediatrics Association recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, then the addition of age-appropriate foods.

Happy cooking!