4 Easy-to-Make Baby Food Recipes
Making your own healthy and wholesome baby food recipes is easy. Organic foods are best but, if that's not possible for everything, try to to buy organic for the following on what's called the Dirty Dozen list. This includes: apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas and potatoes.
Simple, single-ingredient baby foods are best. Always remember to puree completely so there's no risk of choking. Babies can have food sensitivities, so be sure to try one single ingredient at first and then if there's no reaction, you can move to combination foods.
For 4 to 6 month old's:
Mashed Bananas: Bananas are one of the most popular homemade baby food recipes and frequently called the "perfect" food because they are loaded with potassium and fiber. HealthLine says that bananas are also known as one of nature's own antacids and are very gentle on the stomach. Just be careful not to overdo it -- too much banana can cause constipation.
Recipe (makes one portion as bananas don't keep or freeze well):
1 small, ripe banana.
Directions: Peel the banana and mash with a fork. Add a little breast milk or formula to thin down if the consistency is too thick.
Pea Puree: Pureed peas are a great first homemade baby food. According to HealthLine, peas are a small yet mighty source of nutrition, packing Vitamins A and C, iron, protein, and calcium. If the skin of the peas makes the texture less appealing for your baby, try straining them to make it as smooth as possible.
Recipe (makes 1 ice cube tray or 2 1/2 cups):
3 cups peas (I use organic frozen with the least amount of sodium)
2 Tbsp. of water
Directions: Steam frozen peas for 2 minutes. (An easy way is to put peas in a large microwave safe bowl, cover with water, and heat for 2 minutes.) If thawed, reduce time to 1 minute. You want peas to be plump and bright green. Place the peas and 2 Tbsp of water in a food processor or blender. Puree for 2 minutes or until the texture is smooth and creamy. If necessary, add more water and continue to puree to reach desired texture.
Recipe credit: Steele House Kitchen
For 7 to 9 month old's:
Peachy Avocados: Avocados are full of good fats and fiber, and peaches add some natural sweetness and lightens up the usually dense avocado puree.
Recipe (refrigerate leftovers for up to four days):
3 ripe peaches
1 ripe avocado
Directions: Peel, pit, and cut peaches and the avocado into chunks. Place into a blender/food processor and puree until smooth, or mash with a fork and let your baby try to use a spoon or her fingers. You know your baby best and what texture they need.
Recipe credit: Wholesome BabyFood
9 to 12 month old's:
Pastina Pasta: Older babies are ready for more, and pasta is a perfect next step. Pastina is a very small sized pasta found in almost every supermarket.
Recipe (refrigerate leftovers for up to four days):
1 box Pastina style pasta
fruit or vegetable – pureed or mashed
Directions: Cook pastina per package directions and stir in mashed or pureed banana, peaches, applesauce, sweet potato, or butternut squash. If your baby is ready, add small dices or shreds of soft tender cooked meats.
Recipe credit: Wholesome BabyFood
