Making Baby FoodMaking baby food is a great idea to ensure your baby is receiving the highest quality food possible.Some common questions I get regarding how to make baby food include what foods can be blended, what type of equipment is needed and how the food should be cooked. Homemade baby food has many benefits over commercially prepared baby food including no additives, preservatives or added sodium. What types of food can I use when making baby food? Just about any food can be prepared and pureed to the right consistency for babies. Ask your pediatrician about the order of food introduction. Usually single grain baby cereal is given between 4 and 6 months, followed by vegetables and fruits. It is important that each food be given one at a time for 3 to 5 days to determine any allergies or intolerances to a particular food. Some great first foods to make include sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, green beans and peas, to name a few. Fruits are also easy to puree, whether you do fresh or frozen. Bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears and apples all puree well. Homemade baby food is very easy to make and more flavorful than jarred options. For a summer treat my own baby loves watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon pureed and frozen for an all natural, healthy sorbet. What kind of equipment do I need to make my own baby food? The equipment needed is minimal. You will obviously need a knife and cutting board to cut and chop the food. A pot and stove or a microwaveable bowl and microwave are needed in order to steam vegetables, and a food processor or blender is needed to blend the food. Alternatively, they now have steamer/processors in one for the purpose of making baby food. Finally, storage containers are great to freeze single portions of baby foods when you are making batches for the week. How should homemade baby food be cooked? Steaming is the most common way to prepare pureed food. Some foods also puree well once they are baked. Boiling should not be commonly used because many nutrients are diminished during the boiling process. Providing your child with homemade baby food is a wonderful gift to give her. If you have the time and resources to prepare your own baby’s food, it is a great idea. Homemade baby food ensures you are giving your baby the best food possible with minimal preservatives and additives.
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