Baby food recipes should be kept as simple as possible. This will ensure the best health and nutrition for your baby. Try to include as many foods as possible to ensure variety and get your baby used to the taste of different foods. Bear in mind, however, not everything that adults eat are going to be suitable for baby, in fact some foods may be quite unsafe.
Salt is one of the foods you should not feed to a baby, it can lead to many health issues. Honey is another potential problem food. It has been known to cause botulism in babies under a year old. Never give a baby peanut butter or any other nuts. Is not possible for small child to tell you when they are experiencing the discomfort associated with allergies. Peanuts can also be fatal for children with seious allergies.
For making your own baby food you will only need a few items. A food processor, ice cube trays, plastic storage bags or containers and an indelible marker should be enough for you to start.
Keep all ingredients natural when creating your recipes- organic is even better. Also make sure the food is as fresh as possible. Use fruits and vegetables in season, as this is when they are available cheaply and are at their freshest. Growing your own vegetables is also a great option.
With most fruits and vegetables you will simply need to peel, seed and purée in order to achieve an appropriate consistency for your baby. Some fruits and vegetables contain less moisture however and you may need to add some extra water. For some of these vegetables containing less water, potatoes, sweet potatoes and certain varieties of squash for example, you may want to add a small amount of formula or breast milk. This same method works quite well with bananas.
As far as meats and casseroles go, you will simply prepare the same meal you are preparing for the rest of the family. Remember not to add extra salt, and if possible eliminate it completely – (you can always add for your own use later). Run the babies portion of this meal through the food processor with a small amount of water, breast milk or formula until you achieve the desired consistency. It is a wise move to prepare more than the child will need for this one meal, and freeze the rest for convenience.
Pour the left over meal into the ice cube trays, and wait until it is frozen. Once frozen you may place these cubes into plastic storage bags or containers, and mark with indelible marker. You want to be sure to add the item description as well as the date it was prepared.
As you can see, homemade baby food is a great choice for both you and your baby. It is very cost effective and doesn’t take much time to prepare. At the same time you’ll be ensuring your baby recieves a healthy nutritious meal. Just remember to keep your baby food recipes as simple and natural as possible.