Posts Tagged: baby food

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
20
Apr 11

Giving Your Baby Organic Food

Let’s face it. Mostly everything that pack our grocery stores are full of processed foods including produce and dairy products pumped with growth hormones and sprayed with pesticides. This is a very unhealthy way to live and it has a negative impact on our children.

It is a fact that organic foods not only taste better and are higher in nutrients, but eating organic foods decrease the chances of developing certain types of cancers and other illnesses. Our children’s bodies are developing and it’s not worth putting them at risk of getting sick. Buying organic foods is more expensive, but the benefits outweigh the costs, and much of the cost can be saved if people considered growing organic fruits and vegetables in their yards or in containers on porches and patios.

You know it’s bad when your child comes up to you each day and asks you “What’s for dinner – McDonald’s or Taco Bell?” And then we wonder why our 100-pound daughter is wearing a size 36DD bra. Our children are inheriting the growth hormones that are injected into the chickens and cows whose eggs, milk, and meat pack the grocery stores and restaurants.

What can you do about it?

Change your lifestyle! This may be very difficult if you are not accustomed to buying organic foods and eating healthy in general. It must start with the parents. You are what you eat!

Start making changes to your family’s diet slowly but surely if you are starting fresh. Here are simple things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.

  • Cut out carbonated drinks and sugary juices and replace them with organic 100% fruit juice with no sugar added.
  • Buy organic foods whenever possible or grown your own.
  • Limit dining out to once per month.
  • Take healthy snacks with you on the road in a cooler such as apple wedges, carrots, cheeses, and dips to give your children. Keep jars of organic baby food in the car.
  • Buy organic milk. It lasts a couple of weeks longer and you can be sure your child is not drinking the growth hormones that cows are injected to produce more milk!
  • Keep your refrigerator stocked with fresh foods. This will force you to serve healthy foods to your family and not the frozen stuff.

If you get your baby off to a “fresh” start, she will grow up with healthy eating habits and traditions.

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
5
Feb 11

How to Make Homemade Organic Baby Food in 5 Easy Steps

Before you get started you need to gather your supplies: food processor, spatula, baby food trays, steamer pot, your choice of organic produce, and a knife or vegetable peeler.

1.Peel the fruit or vegetable using the knife or vegetable peeler and then chop into 1 inch cubes.

2.Determine if your fruit or vegetable needs to be cooked. Most vegetables will need to be steamed or boiled while many ripe fruits are soft enough without cooking. To steam your organic produce, fill the bottom of the pot with between 1 and 2 inches of water and turn the heat to medium. Place the fruit or vegetable cubes into the steamer pot and place the lid on top. Your produce is cooked when you can mash a cube with a fork. Do not discard water.

3.Place the soft cubes into the food processor and pulse until the desired consistency is reached. For tough fruits and vegetables or beginning eaters, you will need to add in some of the water that you used for steaming. Adding more water will make a thinner consistency that is perfect for babies that are new to eating solid foods. (You can always add rice cereal to make it thicker before serving.) Older babies will be able to eat thicker baby food with chunks.

4.Pour the baby food mixture into your baby food trays and stick in the freezer.

5.After the baby food cubes freeze, you can pop them out as needed and let thaw for delicious homemade organic baby food!

Voila! I told you it was easy! Some of my daughter’s favorites were banana, pear, mango, soybean, and carrot. Don’t be afraid to try new fruits and vegetables or even new combinations! Your child will thank you for providing them with delicious food that is free from preservatives! Pick up the Freshbaby cookbook at Green Baby Green Mama for more tips, tricks and inspiration.

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
26
Sep 10

Yogurt, Cheese and Your Baby – When to Offer Your Baby Yogurt and Cheese

One of the most commonly asked questions when it regards feeding your baby is, “What is the magic of yogurt and cheese that makes it OK to give to my baby before 1 year old? My pediatrician said not to feed my baby dairy prior to the age of 1 year old!”

The truth is, there is no great magic in yogurt or cheese. It is unfortunate that many medical professionals neglect to properly explain why it is fine to offer your baby cheese and/or yogurt earlier than the age of one year old. The most common reasons for it being allowed prior to age 1 year old are:

  • Unlike Whole Cow Milk beverage, your baby is not at risk of breast milk and/or formula being replaced by yogurt or cheese.
  • The medical community worries that if whole cow milk is introduced to an infant prior to 1 year old, that parents would stop formula and/or breastfeeding and use milk as the replacement. This would be dangerous to your baby’s health!

If there is any “magic”, it is that yogurt and cheese do have the advantage of lactose being broken down. As lactose is already broken down with the culturing of the yogurt or cheese, it is typically easier to digest. Many people with lactose intolerance are often be able to eat cheese and/or yogurt without trouble. The same is true for some people with a milk protein (either to the casein or the whey) allergy.

Why is Milk not recommended before age 12 months?

The medical community believes that many people would stop formula feeding and/or breastfeeding and start their kids on whole cow milk earlier than 1 year old, unless they were told not to. This is typically why pediatricians and nutritionists say that other milk products such as cottage cheese, cheeses and yogurt are fine.

Milk does not contain enough nutrients, vitamins or minerals for it to adequately and properly sustain an infant’s growth. Indeed, prior to 1 year old, the consumption of a large amount of dairy products may put baby at risk for iron deficient anemia. The most dramatic effects of whole cow milk are on iron levels in the body. Infants fed breast milk or iron fortified formula have normal iron levels. Milk impedes the proper absorption of iron. Iron intake is one thing that an infant can not afford to have cut down or cut out of the diet.

Additionally, whole cow’s milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb. “Infants fed whole cow’s milk receive inadequate amounts of Vitamin E, iron, essential fatty acids, and excessive amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant’s system to handle.” mercksource health

When will I be able to offer my baby yogurt or cheese?

Cheese is typically recommended at an age when your baby is able to mash foods with his or her gums or between 7-8 months old. Melted cheese makes a wonderful edition to a finger food meal of veggies and meats! As regards the introduction of yogurt, most pediatricians recommend starting your infant on yogurt around 7-8 months of age. Some pediatricians also recommend yogurt as a great first food (from 6 months+). Selecting a whole milk yogurt is the most beneficial to your infant as babies need fats in their diets for proper growth! You can buy plain whole milk yogurts made by such companies as Stonyfield Farm, Cascade Fresh and Brown Cow. You can also Make Your Own Homemade Yogurt! Stonyfield Farm makes the YoBaby brand that many parents know and love! However, using a large container of Plain Whole Milk yogurt will save you money (and save on added sugar) and give you the flexibility of adding your own flavorings to baby’s yogurt.

The above information applies to those who do not have a known milk allergy or a lactose intolerance, or a familial history of same. As always, you should thoroughly discuss the introduction of foods with your baby’s personal pediatrician!

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
15
Feb 10

Organic Baby Foods Made at Home

Feeding your baby organic foods will help they be healthier and will cause them to have less stomach and digestive problems. Organic foods have no harmful preservatives and grown with no harmful pesticides used they will be better suited for your baby as well as being fresher. There is no better way to ensure the good health of your baby, than to start them eating natural foods.

Finding organic baby foods can be next to impossible if you are looking in the grocery store, but the good news is that more and more stores are now stocking these items as they are becoming more popular. Usually you will have to go to a health food store or better yet, grow them and make them on your own.

Buy the organic foods that you are eating then in a food processor or a blender you want to puree the so that the baby can eat them easily. You can do several days worth of foods like this at once then store them in the refrigerator in a tight sealed container. This doesn’t take much time to do ahead of time allowing you to make several meals at once.

In the summer months you can pick the fruits and vegetables from your garden if you had a garden, getting your child started on fresh fruits and vegetables at a young age will help them become accustomed to this throughout their whole lives.

With organic foods you don’t have to worry about them ingesting harmful pesticides or other toxins. You are going them natural safe foods that will help them grown into strong adults.?/p>

Organic supplies and tips to live a greener life can be found at All Natural Shopper website. One of the best gifts that you can give your baby is a healthy start to their life with Organic Baby Food is one of the items that you will learn about when going green and going organic.

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
14
Feb 10

Organic Baby Food – The Natural Choice

It is only natural for a mother to want the best for her baby, and when it comes to baby food organic is clearly the best. Many people give little credence when it comes to the difference between organic and non-organic foods. However, that is a mistake, especially where baby food is concerned. A child’s body is far more vulnerable to the toxins in non-organic baby food than an adult’s is.

From their developing immune system to their central-nervous and hormonal systems, the toxins in non-organic baby food can be extremely detrimental to a child’s development. What’s more is that many studies have now revealed that babies receive more nourishment from organic baby food than they do non-organic. Experts believe that this is a direct result of the chemicals and pesticides used to grow non-organic produce. You see, it is speculated that the very chemicals that protect the fruit from insects may actually alter it’s nutritional composition.

The variety of organic baby food available in markets now rivals that of the non-organic varieties. That said, many parents find that the organic offerings for their children are a bit pricey. So, what does one do when they can’t afford to buy organic baby food for their little one? Simple, they make homemade baby food instead. It is far easier than most would think to make food for your child at home and it is less expensive by a considerable amount.

To make your own baby food at home you do not have to be a gourmet chef. All you need is a blender or food processor and a little kitchen know how. For instance, you can wash, peel and steam carrots and puree them for your little one. No recipe is required. A simple look at a jar of baby food will tell you that making baby food isn’t rocket science.

Many people buy organic baby food because it is easier than making it at home. However, the process of making your babies food at home can be made easier in a few simple steps. All you need is some extra ice cube trays and storage bags. Spend one day each month making your babies food at home and freezing it. Fill the ice cube trays with food, when the food is frozen each cube can go in small storage bag and be labeled with it’s contents and date. Food can be frozen for up to eight weeks and should be used within 48 hours of defrosting.

Organic Baby Apples

4 Apples Peeled and Cored
1/2 cup Water

Cube and steam the apples on the stove top in a vegetable steaming basket. When the apples are soft puree them in a blender or food processor with the half cup of water. When the puree is smooth freeze it in cubes and store.

There are many different methods for making and storing organic baby food. The point is, in this day and age feeding your baby a healthy diet doesn’t have to be as complex as it once was. The advantage to homemade food is that you know exactly what you are feeding your little one.

Jessica Fuqua is the owner and creator of MomFuse.com an online resource for moms. http://www.momfuse.com MomFuse.com offers articles and information on parenting, pregnancy, honest product reviews, contests, giveaways, and much more.