Homemade baby food serves up healthy eating habits and savings

When it comes to caring for your bundle of joy, you only want what's best. And these days, with early nutrition top-of-mind for many, it's no wonder that a growing number of parents are turning to homemade baby food to help instill healthy eating habits from the start.

Prepping and pureeing easy, everyday ingredients in the home also gives you the satisfaction of knowing exactly what is going into your baby's belly, from avocado and green beans to diced apples, sweet potatoes and peaches. Using fresh-from-the-market finds also lets you avoid preservatives and additives. And by introducing a variety of healthy foods at an early age, parents can help children develop a taste for similar flavors for the rest of their lives.

Another benefit to pureeing baby's meals at home is the savings. Ranging from 50 cents to $1.50 per jar, the cost of buying premade baby food can quickly add up. By preparing homemade meals for your little one, you're not only ensuring better control of his overall diet, you're also helping keep an eye on your household budget.

Follow these easy tips and tasty recipes to discover ways in which you can hop on this back-to-basics movement and be well on your way to puree perfection.

Preparing the baby food
* Avoid costly specialty baby food mixers or gadgets and opt for an equally effective, easy-to-use food processor, like those from Black & Decker, that puree for baby but also stand up to other culinary tasks.
* Steam, bake or broil the ingredients. Healthy tip: steaming maintains the most nutrients.
* The liquid the vegetables and fruits were cooked in can be added to the puree to adjust consistency. Breast milk or formula can also be used to thin the puree.

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Preparation is Key

Some vegetables are known for their sources of vitamins and antioxidants. We learned from a pool of nutritionists in South America that the way we prepare vegetables may impact their nutritional values. Here are few examples:

Carrot:
Rich in vitamins A, C and betacarotene. Also a source of sodium, potassium and carbohydrates.
Cooking it in water can cause the loss of 10 to 50% of vitamin C. Minimize it by cooking carrots in large chunks, little water and low heat or steam.
Roasting it in the oven may reduce its levels of minerals.
Warming up in the microwave may reduce the levels of vitamins.
Freezing it doesn't result in significant loss of nutrients.

Eggplant:
Rich in proteins, calcium and vitamins B1, B2 and C.
Cooking it in water and high heat can cause the loss of up to 50% of vitamin C, and 25% of vitamin B.
Roasting it in the oven may slightly reduce its levels of minerals.
Warming up in the microwave may slightly reduce the levels of vitamins.
Freezing it doesn't result in significant loss of nutrients.

Tomato:
Rich in lycopene, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, fibers, vitamin C and betacarotene.
Cooking it in water can cause the loss of vitamin C. Adding some oil increases the absorption of lycopene.
Roasting it in the oven with oil increases the lycopene absorption.
Warming up in the microwave reduces levels of lycopene.
Freezing it doesn't result in significant loss of nutrients.

Broccoli:
Rich in vitamins A, B, C and antioxidants. Also a source of calcium, iron, zinc, folic acid and potassium.
Cooking it in water can cause the loss of several vitamins. Minimize it by steaming instead.
Roasting it may reduce its levels of minerals, however increases the absorption of vitamin A.
Warming up in the microwave is a good way to keep its nutrients.
Freezing it doesn't result in significant loss of nutrients.

source: veja.com.br

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part III

Continuing with our "Food Intolerance versus Allergies" report by Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs, here is the final section, part III:


What to do?

While many children grow out of food allergies around the age of 3, if a reaction does occur, remove the food from your baby’s meals for a while. You may consider reintroducing the offending food (in very small amounts) at a later point, with special guidance where the reaction was severe.

If you suspect your child has a food allergy or intolerance, the least invasive methods are elimination diets, kinesiology or hair testing. Other methods include blood tests or skin scratching. Consult your preferred health practitioner.

Initially it can be overwhelming for parents to discover a child is intolerant or allergic to certain foods, but children are often quick to adjust.

Tips for introducing a new allergy-free diet:

• Read ingredients on labels carefully and look for allergen statements.
• Take baby steps towards introducing alternatives.
• Mix old with new until you gradually wean your child.
• Have the entire family change over to the new food.
• Use old and familiar packages for the new food.

Logon to www.foodallergy.org for more information and appropriate guidance.

Get these Superfoods into Their Systems

Getting kids used to a diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains is very important. It can prevent diseases, and provides all nutrients necessary for a healthy development.

Try adding these superfoods to their meals, as suggested by nutritionist Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs. It may take a few attempts before they get used to the taste, but it is definitely worth it!

1. Veggies with vivid colors such as sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, broccoli and corn, provide loads of vitamins.
2. Berries and cherries are great anti-oxidants.
3. Other super-fruits are pomegranate, mango, banana, apple, apricot and white grapes.
4. Super-grains such as quinoa are loaded with proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
5. Flaxseed meal mixed with fruits and yogurt is also a great snack. Make sure the flaxseed is crushed to a powder.
6. Avocado is very rich in oil and vitamins. The creamy consistency makes it easy and pleasant to eat.
7. Fish such as salmon is rich in omega-e oils.
8. Organic yogurt provides healthy bacteria for the little tummies.

First Bites: Tips for Getting Started

We stumbled across these great tips from Australian nutritionist Leanne Cooper about getting started on solids. We know it is a big transition for little ones, but we think these tips will make it a bit easier on you too!

1. All babies are different. They eat different amounts, and progress at different rates. Just to make parents' lives more exciting!

2. Stick to a routine, creating eating habits.

3. Initially, offer breastmilk or formula first to ensure they get all nutrients each day.

4. Don't push them to eat too much to avoid upset tummies.

5. Make and store the purees thicker than you need to so you can thin them down and warm them up with boiling water, breastmilk or formula.

6. Select quality organic ingredients with a variety of nutrients and colors. When buying baby food, read labels carefully. Stay away from additives, sweeteners, fillers and thickeners such as starches.

7. Use clean utensils.

8. Never place solids in your baby's bottle.

9. Most babies prefer food at room temperature. Be careful with microwaved food. Temperature may be uneven.

10. Expect a mess!

Check out our Homemade Baby Food Recipes page, developed by experienced moms! Delicious recipes with great nutritional values.

Transition from Solid to Finger Foods

Did you know that finger foods should be cut into pieces as small as the size of the end of baby's pinky? This is the size of his/her airway, and that would avoid chocking events.

Check out this very educational video from Dr. David Hill, a pediatrician from North Carolina, about the transition from solid to finger foods.

Smart Food Ingredients

Check out this interesting video about medical benefits of feeding kids with at least a few organic ingredients.