Preparing Homemade Baby Food

By Tamika Gardner

Preparing homemade baby food does not have to be one of those unpleasant chores you hate doing, such as the laundry. It is very easy to whip up homemade baby food for your child, especially if you plan on making big batches of different foods for the upcoming months. In as little as 2 hours or less, you can have enough frozen food purees to feed your baby for the next couple of months.

If you are not considering batch making, you can still whip up homemade baby food easily while you are already preparing food for yourself or for your family. Just set aside cooked unseasoned food portions such as vegetables, chicken, fish etc. and pop it in a blender right before you are ready to sit down for your meal.

Cooking Techniques

Steaming - the best way to prepare baby food as it preserves the most nutrients and antioxidants than microwaving or boiling.

Baking - retains lots of nutrients and is a time saver when you want to set it and forget it! Big batches of baby food can be made in the oven such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, chicken parts, fish, meat, squash, zucchini, and more.

Boiling - If you can avoid boiling food, please do. Boiling can destroy nutrients when overcooking and water soluble vitamins often seep out into the water and out your food.

Microwaving - this is the least preferred method when making homemade baby food! Microwaving destroys antioxidants found in fresh produce.

Food & Kitchen Safety

It is important to be careful when making homemade baby food to prevent food poisoning. Baby food must be prepared and stored properly, especially while your baby is very young. When adding water to baby puree, it is important to make sure the water is sterile. Using bottled mineral water is not the same as boiled water! Mineral water can contain bacteria and may contain more sodium than what a baby needs. It is best to use cooled boiled tap water when adding water to purees or when giving water to your baby in general.

Here are a few important tips when preparing homemade baby food:

- Wash counter tops, kitchen utensils, and the kitchen sink with soap and water before and after preparing food -- this ensures that no bacteria is lurking around. It is better to be safe than sorry.

- Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from fruits and vegetables. Do not use the same kitchen utensils including knives and cutting boards. Be sure to wash all equipment thoroughly.

- Wash your hands! Always, always, always wash your hands before and after preparing food and don't forget to wash baby's hands too!

- Always use clean towels to dry off kitchen utensils, equipment, and babyware.

- Date your food when freezing or refrigerating it.

- Use baby food within 24 hours after thawing or storing in the refrigerator.

- Never reheat baby food more than once.

- Throw out food that is half-eaten, unless you scoop out portions with a clean spoon into a container you will feed your baby from.

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