Serve it fresh!

Baby food made from scratch is healthier for your little one. And did you know that babies used to eating only bottled baby food tend to be pickier eaters when they get older? While bottled food can sometimes be an option for your tiny one, preparing fresh food to make up a big chunk of their diets is not as difficult as you think.

Basic Ingredients

New solid eaters will go by with a few simple food choices. Iron fortified cereals should always be a part of their daily diet. Some good first foods you can easily make fresh are mashed avocado, banana, cooked and pureed pear or apple, pumpkin or potato, even sweet potato.

When you move on to vegetables you can steam then puree green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots.

After your baby has gotten used to eating different kinds of fruits and vegetables, you can introduce meats like beef, pork, lamb and chicken. Avoid smoked, salted or pickled meats. Add fresh or frozen fish as well.

Whatever you are having for dinner – let’s say some roast chicken – set aside some for baby and finely chop her portions. As for the fish, you’ll be surprised at how many babies actually enjoy flakes of white fish.

Add some variety in taste and texture by incorporating pasta, couscous and rice. Beans and legumes are also good to add to their diet. Your baby can also enjoy that lentil soup you like to cook for yourselves. Just set aside a portion for her that has less (or no) salt and spices.

As your baby matures, the food should move away from purees to lumpier fare. This has an impact on developing their mouth muscles and speech.

Preparation

You will have to invest in a steamer and food processor, if you do not already have them. It is best to always steam their vegetables as this retains the most nutrients. And don’t throw away all that steam water. Some can be added to make your purees on the food processor.

Boiling or oven-roasting are good options too. Generally, whatever you plan to cook for dinner you can set some aside for your baby. Having some baked sole? Flake that up, add a little cheese sauce and your baby will enjoy a good dinner along with you.

Storage

You should also get some small, freezer-safe containers. A great idea are those ice cube trays with covers. You can freeze a tray-full of squash puree and another tray full of your baby’s favorite fruit. You can easily defrost and serve by the cube. On some days, you can mix a cube of squash puree and a cube of broccoli puree too. Get creative!

Fresh is best

Serving your baby fresh food is not so hard if you apply a little system. Go around what you normally prepare fresh for yourselves and set aside portions for your baby.

If you make your own food, you will know exactly what nourishes your baby. You can use healthy, wholesome ingredients from your favorite market. You can even go organic. Best of all, you’ll be starting your child early on a nutritious, balanced diet – with minimum food processing and less contaminants. Going fresh also opens her up to a variety of tastes and flavors.

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