Homemade Baby Food : Benefits, Recipes, How to Make It

How to Make Homemade Baby Food

Mom-made foods are always special, be it for a baby or an adult. “When it comes to babies, mothers often wait for a certain stage to feed them desired foods.”? Once the baby becomes capable of digesting solid food, her/his mommy might start wondering what type of food to provide. Though baby formulas and cereals are available, nothing could beat mommy-made applesauce. 

We understand that you also want to prep healthy and delicious Homemade Baby Food for your little one. That’s why we’ve come up with some simple recipes you can make in no time

Homemade Baby Food Benefits

1. Select Fresh Ingredients

Choose fresh veggies and fruits without any marks or decays. Add plenty of fresh picks like greens, cereals, grains, and dairy products—for example, apples, bananas, beets, turnips, spinach, and peas. Make sure the produce is organic and fresh, and try to avoid it in case you notice any cuts or blemishes. A Brazilian Household Budget Survey revealed that better adherence to national dietary guidance, including limiting ultra-processed foods, can significantly reduce diet costs, regardless of income.

2. Wash and Prepare

Wash the produce in running water. Ensure the dirt is completely removed from the veggies and fruits. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and beets tend to have soil on the skin, so washing them would help eliminate them. Peel and remove the seeds from the vegetables. Keep them clean before tossing them into the pan. Latest Research Says The World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture of the United Nations recommend adults consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, excluding starchy vegetables.

3. Cooking Methods

Slice the veggies into small pieces and add them to the boiling water. Boil the food until it gets soft and boiled. Otherwise, you steam and microwave, which will retain the nutrients in the produce. If it is meat try to remove the skin and bone before boiling.  

Also, be careful when you choose the produce, as some foods such as peanuts, grains, wheat, soy, and fish may induce allergies in babies.      

4. Blend or Puree

Mash or puree the boiled vegetables, but do not add honey or any artificial sweetener to the baby food. Honey may contain clostridium botulinum spores, which might cause allergy in some infants. Instead of sugar and other sweeteners, opt for apple or date puree as they naturally contain sugar and are packed with nutrients. 

5. Avoid Adding Chunks

Foods like chunky nuts, badam bits, raisins, whole grapes, or unboiled veggies are risky for babies, as they may choke. Hence it is better to blend them finely. 

6. Freezing

You can freeze the mashed baby food and use it at your convenience. Pour the puree into a clean ice cube tray. Once it is completely frozen, transfer it to a clean, airtight jar or container. Do not keep them for more than a day. 

8 Homemade Baby Food Recipes

1. Sweet Potato Puree

Most adults crave sweet potatoes for their nutritional value. Babies can also benefit from eating this power-packed root veggie as it contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. To prepare this puree, just boil 2 to 3 sweet potatoes for 20 to 30 mins. Just peel the skin and blend them until soft. Add a little bit of water if you need a liquid consistency. 

2. Apple Puree

To prepare this sauce, wash the apple, peel off the skin, and cut it into pieces. Toss them into a pan, and add a little amount of water, just three to four spoons.  Once it is boiled remove it and let them cool down. Then blend them in a mixer grinder until they come to puree consistency. 

3. Pea Puree

Take a cup of peas and add them to water. Boil them until they get softer. Transfer them to a mixer grinder and pulse them thoroughly. 

4. Butternut Squash Mash

Get a fresh butternut squash, peel the skin, and remove the seeds. Cut it into slices, and steam them for 15 minutes. If you need caramelized flesh, apply oil over the flesh and roast them for 20 to 30 minutes. You can easily mash them with a fork or spoon. 

5. Spinach and Apple Puree

For spinach and apple puree, peel and cut the apples and add them to a saucepan. Add a small amount of water and cook them for 10 to 15 minutes. Before you remove the pan from the stove add a cup of fresh spinach and cover them for 1 to 2 minutes. Next, cool them off. Blend them into puree. 

6. Oatmeal Porridge

For oatmeal porridge, take a cup of oats, powder them finely, and add them to boiling water. Then cook for 4 to 5 minutes until it becomes creamy. 

7. Blueberry Puree

If you picked unripe blueberries, steam them for 3 to 4 minutes. For ripe berries, To prepare this sauce, wash the apple, peel off the skin, and cut it into pieces.

8. Chicken and Sweet Potato Mash

Heat olive oil in a pan, add onions, and sauté until brown. On the other side, steam the sweet potatoes and keep them aside. Now add the chicken, and boil them for some time. Now add sweet potatoes to chicken for 15 to 20 minutes. Mash to desired consistency. 

Conclusion

There you go! All you need are fresh vegetables, fruits, and a mixer grinder. Now you can feed your baby with nutritious homemade baby food. But ensure cleanliness before you prep the food. From the produce to the spoon, every vessel should be spotless. Do not take a chance on their health. Avoid giving packed foods to your babies instead go for simple homemade foods. 

Related Blogs: starter guide for baby food and nutrition.