How To Make Baby Food | Basic Steps For Making Purees
Last updated on December 11th, 2022 at 10:33 pm
Need to learn how to make baby food fast? There’s no need to panic. Introducing baby food to your infant will be a cinch with this easy five-step guide. It’ll give you ideas on ingredients to use, cooking methods to master, and kitchen equipment to swear by.
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How to Make Baby Food | Your 5 Step Baby Food Prep
1. Choose Your Ingredients
There are multiple ingredients to choose from for your baby’s pureed food; the same goes for the many different colors and ranges to choose from. Most of these ingredients can actually be found in the local farmer’s markets. Opt for fruits such as avocados, bananas, and apples. You can also DIY your own applesauce which will prove to be healthier than their store-bought counterparts. Homemade versions tend to have less sugar and preservatives as compared to those sold in the supermarkets.
You can also choose from nutritious vegetables such as pumpkin, green beans, and carrots. Looking for something with more texture? Whip up a batch of oatmeal cereal. Just make sure to ground your own oats in a blender or a food processor. Also, stay away from instant oatmeal variations when it comes to making baby food.
2. Cook the Vegetables/Fruits
Opt for different variations when cooking the vegetables and fruits for your baby’s food. Experiment with steaming, boiling, and roasting the ingredients to give the food a different texture and flavor.
The best options are steaming and roasting because they’re easy to do. Steaming your baby’s food will also give you extra brownie points as a parent. After all, more nutrients are retained when the vegetables or fruits are prepared this way.
3. Set Aside the Liquid
You’ll find liquid tends to pool while you cook your baby food’s vegetables or fruits, but don’t throw that away! There’s a ton of flavor and nutrients in the liquid. Instead, set it aside for the time being in a cup or bowl. It’ll come in handy once the actual pureeing of the food starts.
4. Puree the Vegetables/Fruits
There are three stages of baby food. Stage 1 is a baby’s first taste of solid foods, so these food choices are usually thin and watery. Stage 2 food items are a bit thicker since a baby can now move on to something with more texture. On the other hand, Stage 3 food choices are more chunky and thick. They are also considered table food.
A blender, a mixer, and a food processor can be used for all the three stages of baby food. The difference simply lies in the food texture. As your baby grows older, add in other utensils such as a potato masher. You can also make use of the other settings on your blender, such as “grind”, “mix”, and “chop”. This encourages your baby to chew more and to get more acquainted with more solid food.
5. Add the Liquids
Some parents prefer to puree their baby’s food without any liquid. However, if you’d prefer, you can also add some of the liquid set aside earlier for added flavor and nutrients. Remember to add a little at a time, so the baby food still has a bit of texture to it.
Alternatively, you can also replace the liquid with plain water, formula, or breast milk. Adding milk to the food gives your baby a taste of familiarity in his/her new food. Odds are your baby is bound to accept what you’re offering since it comes with a familiar taste.
Know more tips on how to make baby food by watching the video below. It’ll also give you a few DIY baby food recipes to choose from:
Now you know how to make baby food, there’s no stopping you from giving your little one the best food options possible. Just remember to be mindful of the ingredients you use and to thoroughly clean your vegetables and fruits before cooking. This will help prevent any allergic reactions and get rid of any chemicals used in the gardening process.
Got any tips on how to make baby food? Share them with your fellow moms in the comments section below!
