If you visit the baby food aisle at your local grocery store, you’ll likely find an array of cold-pressed, pricey food puree pouches. While these can be a convenient and nutritious option for your little one, did you know that you can easily make them at home with just a few simple steps? Some are even known to have harmful toxins like arsenic and lead. Also over time, consistent pouch use can negatively impact your child’s speech and fine motor skills. According to the New York Times, pouches are okay in moderation but overuse may impact oral development. Making homemade purees yourself, with quality ingredients and zero preservatives eliminates most of these issues. You can even choose to feed them with a spoon to further lower risks. Here are some great recipes to get you started.
Before introducing any new foods or allergens, be sure to consult with your pediatrician, no matter your baby’s age. Additionally, using brightly colored ingredients can enhance your baby’s color recognition skills! If it is your baby’s first time trying solids, here is a list of top ten best first tastes for you baby.
Sweet Potato and Carrot Puree
Starting at the top choice is sweet potato due to its countless benefits, especially being a low allergen food which means it is typically safe to be your baby’s first food. This vibrant orange puree not only tastes great but also can help your baby associate colors with taste. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, making them a great choice. Their natural sweetness appeals to most babies and it is great for their digestion. Parents for ages have been using sweet potatoes and prunes to relieve constipation. In addition to their sweetness appeal, they can easily be blended and combines with various fruits of vegetables making them a very versatile option.
Carrots provide beta-carotene and add a lovely extra orange hue. They are also low allergen making it a safe combination for a first puree. Carrots also have vitamin A and in addition they antioxidants which are known to prevent cells from being damaged. They are both relatively easy to prepare and blend into a puree. To prepare, simply steam or boil the sweet potatoes and carrots until tender, then blend until smooth.
Apple and Kale Puree
Apples are naturally sweet and easy to digest, making them a great option for babies. They also have a very high water content making them essential for hydration. Your child will most likely love even a simple apple sauce but adding kale to this recipe is a great way to sneak in some veggies for a wide range of health benefits from minerals to anti-oxidants. Kale is known for its plant-based iron and calcium, important for growth and development, which makes it a great option for babies who are constantly growing. This duo is p acked with vitamin C and more and your babies immune system will thank you for the natural boost.
To make this puree, cook apples until soft (steaming or boiling works well again), then blend them with a handful of freshly washed kale. This simple mix offers a delicious fruit and vegetable combination. You can also use green apples to help with color recognition.
Banana and Oats Puree
Bananas have a soft, creamy texture that’s perfect for baby food. They are also known for being a great source of potassium, which is vital for healthy muscle and nerve function. Bananas also provide a natural energy boost from its carbohydrates. To prepare, mash a ripe banana and mix it with cooked oats for added fiber and a great source of complex carbs. The fibers in oats can help your baby have good heart health from a young age. Both of these are also great firsts food due to be low allergen foods. As long as your baby has no allergies, cashew/peanut butter is a great addition to this recipe for taste. Blend until smooth or the preferred consistency. This is also a great puree to add a pediatrician approved allergen introductory powder mix in.
Avocado and Breast Milk Puree
Avocados are packed with healthy fats, called monounsaturated fats, which are essential for brain development. They also have vitamins E, K, C, and B. According to a study, there is equal amounts of vitamin E, lutein, and folate in an ounce of avocado compared to one serving size of apple and pears. Also great for digestion and can be used to combat constipation. The bright green color is also appealing and can promote color recognition. An avocado’s creamy texture makes them ideal for purees.
Simply mash a ripe avocado and mix in a little breast milk (or formula) to achieve the desired consistency. The benefits of breast milk are countless. From infants to toddlers, breast milk gets tailored by our body to meet the needs of your growing baby. Leaving it a little thicker and chunkier, if your baby is old enough can also benefit texture recognition. This puree is rich and super simple to make, no cooking required. You can add a splash of breast milk to any of these recipes for added health benefits, do not let it go to waste!
Mango and Yogurt Puree
Mangoes bring a tropical flair and natural sweetness that babies often love. Its fiber and hydration content makes it excellent for digestion. You can play with the ripeness if your baby prefers sour over sweet. To prepare, peel and chop ripe mangoes, then blend until smooth. For added creaminess, and some health benefits, mix in plain yogurt, or if your child can not have dairy use a dairy yogurt, like almond or coconut. You can also use breast milk or formula for extra nutrients. This refreshing puree with yogurt provides probiotics for gut health, but can be just as tasty without it. You can also serve your baby small pieces of mango to help them explore new textures.
If you choose to skip over purees and go straight into baby led weaning here is a list of the top 10 healthiest foods for baby-led weaning.
Tips for Making Baby Purees
Steam or Bake Over Boil: Cooking methods like steaming or baking help retain nutrients, better than boiling does.
Blend to Desired Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the puree by adding water, breast milk, or formula as needed, also based on the age of your child.
Pack your own Pouches: If it is more convenient to use a pouch, make you own for on the go nutrition!
Freeze for Convenience: Make larger batches and freeze them in ice cube trays or fun molds for easy portions later on.
Happy cooking!🍏🥕🥑
