Baby Food

Why pay more when you can make it yourself? The majority of us (including me) pay big bucks for little jars of baby food. This is easy to make, especially in bulk if you don't have the time to prepare individual servings each day.

Commercial baby food can be tasty and convenient for you and your child; however, homemade may be better. Since you're not there when the manufacture the food, you really don't know how they process or where their fruits and vegetables come from. Also, some commercial food is filled with unneeded starches giving that creamy texture.

Here is how you can prepare your baby food:

1. Pick the fruit or vegetable of choice. Preferably, choose organic.

2. Wash with soap and water with a vegetable scrubber. You may use frozen fruits and vegetables, but make sure that there is no added salt, sugar or spice.

3. Cut into small pieces. Make sure the pieces are small enough to cook quickly.

4. Place in shallow water and simmer until tender. It may be easier to place in a steamer.

5. After tender, remove from heat and place in a bowl. Use a fork, potato masher, food mill or blender and blend.

6. Blend until you get the right consistency. The younger your child is, the more fluid the food should be. If needed, add more water.

7. When finished, you can place in ice cube trays and freeze or place in small containers.

8. After frozen, put food in a plastic bag. One cube should be approximately one serving.

Dos and Don'ts of making baby food.

• Do, leave the skin on. This preserves vitamins and minerals.
• Don't, make baby food from any kinds of greens. It is safer, to buy these commercially.
• Do, use a steamer, if available. This also prevents vitamins from being destroyed.
• Do, cut into small pieces when boiling. This limits its contact with water thus preventing vitamins from being destroyed.
• Do not, use salt, spices and sugar. This is unnecessary and adds excess calories. Also, it may cause allergic reactions.
• Do not, use canned vegetables and fruits. The process of canning may destroy vitamins and minerals. In addition, salt is usually added.
• Do, introduce vegetables first.
• Do, introduce foods one at time. To ensure, that your child is not allergic. Combine foods after allergies are ruled out.
• Do, watch for signs that your child is full. Forcing your child to eat despite being full teaches him or her to ignore signs of satiety and may result in future obesity.
  The copyright of the article Baby Food in Infant & Child Nutrition is owned by Vanessa Selene Williams. Permission to republish Baby Food in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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