Every parent wants the best for their new baby. The choices in the baby food aisle at the grocery store can seem overwhelming. There is plenty of pressure on parents to choose a healthy diet for their children but it is very difficult to tell which baby food is actually healthy. Many canned or jarred foods are filled with sodium and preservatives. The alternative to store-bought or jarred baby food is making your own baby food at home. This option is much simpler than you might imagine, especially with today’s fantastic new blenders.
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Safe and Fresh Food
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always recommended in any diet. This is very important for babies, as well. Beginning a diet with fresh foods can lead to healthy eating habits later in life. Your homemade baby food will not contain additives or preservatives because you make it yourself. Being a new parent is tough but making your own baby food is not.
Planning Ahead
Using your blender, you can make a whole week’s worth of pureed foods in one single morning. To begin, gather all of your fresh fruits and vegetables and then wash them thoroughly. Start by steaming your vegetables until they are soft. You can steam broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and even cabbage, depending on what your baby enjoys.
Once steamed, add your vegetables to your blender and puree thoroughly. Baked squash and sweet potato are also perfect for baby food once they have been pureed. These foods can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Using Fruits
Fruits can also be pureed in the blender. Fresh fruit is perfect for a sweet treat or a good desert for your baby. Ripe peaches and bananas are delicious when blended. Remove the peel and drop the fruit right into the blender carafe. Once the fruit is pureed, you can place it in jars for storage or serve it fresh. Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are also delicious when pureed. You will be surprised at how simple it is to make baby food that is both healthy and tastes great.
Rice and Cereals
Cereals for babies can also be made in a blender. Grinding brown rice to a powder and mixing it with formula or breast milk makes a nutritious cereal. Cooked oatmeal and other grains are also easily blended with fruits to make the best breakfast baby food.
Yogurts and Eggs
Yogurt and eggs are healthy additions to any puree once your baby is old enough to have these items. Hard boil several eggs and add them to a vegetable puree to increase the protein content of the food item. Yogurt and fruit are wonderful together in a smoothie and the pairing is perfect for a snack or even a meal. Making your own baby food saves money and creates a healthy lifestyle for both you and your baby.
