NO JAR REQUIRED: 5 EASY FOODS FOR BABY
Does the idea of making your own baby food, intimidate you? It may seem tricky when you’re standing in the grocery store aisle looking at the ages-and-stages as determined by big business. Sure, some foods do take a little more preparation than others, but when it comes down to it, your baby can eat a lot of the simple and good foods that you eat. Just follow the basic guidelines your pediatrician gives such as waiting a bit for nuts and honey, and choose organic produce to minimize the chemicals you introduce to your child. Here are five simple foods that you and your baby both can enjoy.
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1. Banana
This is easy. Just mash and serve. High in potassium and Vitamin C this fruit is so versatile. Carry a fresh one in your bag and mash it on the spot for your baby when she wants a snack or mash a few when they ripen and toss them in the freezer for later.
2. Avocado
Just bake an extra one for the baby. You can bake a sweet potato (Vitamin A, B-6, and Potassium, or regular Idaho spud (Potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C and B-6). Just remember that sweet potatoes can be a little stringy so look out for that. Let it cool completely and if you’re nursing you can even smooth the texture by adding some breast milk for creamy mashed potatoes made especially for baby.
4. Zucchini
Does anyone still have zucchini coming out their ears from this season’s harvest? This is a great vegetable to cut, steam, puree, and freeze. You can freeze this using an ice cube tray and then transfer it to a food-saver bag and seal or use a freezer baggie. Zucchini are packed with Vitamin C, B-6, and Potassium.
5. Pumpkin and Squash
We’re coming up on squash and gourd season which are easy to bake and steam for mashing. Did you know that you could peel the skin of a pie pumpkin with a potato peeler? It’s that easy! Place chunks of peeled pumpkin in the steamer and then mash or puree. Pumpkin is packed with Vitamin A, B-6 and Potassium. Acorn Squash is easily halved and placed on a baking sheet and popped into the oven before scooping and mashing. Just be cautious of strings and don’t season. Bland is best for baby.
Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a writer and mother of two.
@WriterBonnie
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