Posted by Flo | Posted in Divers | Posted on 14-07-2009
Lot Baby Food
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Make Your Own Natural Baby Food
Once your baby is ready for solid food, making natural and organic baby food at home is very easy and a lot less expensive than buying store brands. Making your own baby food is just as satisfying as pre-packaged food and healthier.
To make your own natural baby food you will need the following:
- Food grinder, blender, food mill or food processor.
- Fresh produce – buy organic if available and make sure you buy the best quality. If fresh produce is not in season or available, frozen produce is okay. Always wash the food prior to preparing it.
- Chicken and rice are also important ingredients to add to your baby's meals
Tips for preparing the food:
- Be extremely careful when warming food in the microwave. Microwaves don't always heat the food consistently so be sure to stir the food prior to serving it. Do not make the food too hot and always test it prior to feeding it to the baby.
- Do not add sweeteners to the food. Natural foods have the right amount of sugar. If you do decide to add sweeteners do not add honey or corn syrup which can be harmful to your baby.
- Seasonings? This is up to you. Most natural foods used in baby food do not need seasoning but could also be a little bland. If you do add seasonings, remember a little goes a long way – especially salt.
- Try one new food at a time. Let your baby get used to each dish before introducing another. This is especially important should an allergy arise. It is a lot easier pinpointing the allergy if only one or two types of food have been introduced.
- Throw out what baby does not finish. Yes, it sounds wasteful but once saliva has mixed with the unfinished food, bacteria are present which can cause an illness or allergy.
- Food that will be eaten within 2-3 days can be stored in the refrigerator while bulk food made should be stored in the freezer. Fruits and vegetables can be frozen for up to six months. Meats and rice can be frozen for up to 2 months. Remember to label containers with what food is in it and best buy date.
- Formula and breastmilk are perfect for thinning out purees. Not only are they loaded with nutrients your child needs but they are also tastes that your baby is already familiar with. Most people find it easier to thin the food prior to freezing but if your child is moving up to next stage of thicker foods you may want to wait to see the thickness once the food is thawed and ready to be served.
Tips for Storing Your Baby Food
After going through the work at preparing the best and most wholesome food for your baby you want to make sure you store it properly to keep it at its freshest and best quality.
- Some foods do not freeze well. Bananas and avocados are a good example and you will notice "brown" in the freezer. Try spraying the fruit with a small amount of lemon juice prior to freezing.
- Meats and Fish can be safely frozen for up to 2 months
- Foods made with milk should be stored frozen for no more than 6 weeks
- Fruits and vegetables should last in the freezer for up to 6 months
- Do not freezer your baby food in jars unless they specifically say "safe to freeze". Before reusing that old baby jar – make sure it is safe to do so.
Homemade food for your baby is just like homemade food for the rest of your family. By making the food yourself you limit the exposure your baby has to processed food. Making wholesome and delicious food for your child helps him or her appreciate foods with stronger or blander tastes which can also help for when the picky toddler years roll around.
About the Author
Michaeline is a mother of 6 and a licensed family therapist. Professional and personal interests include parenting, pregnancy, step-parenting, home and garden and health. Please visit www.quoteaboutfamily.com for resources, tips, advice and family zone shopping.
