As if new parents don’t already have enough going on, the entire homemade vs. store-bought snack debate keeps them busy and worried.
The process of introducing solids to your child is inherently challenging, and when you’re torn between homemade purees and store-bought snacks, things can become a little challenging. The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. Many parents find that a mix of homemade and store-bought snacks works best for their little one.
Keep reading to know more about balancing homemade and store-bought food items:
Read more : Dal Khichdi Ghee – The Desi Baby Food Superstar!
Homemade Baby Food: Benefits and Examples
With homemade baby food, you’re the chef and you’re in control of the ingredients. You can choose fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. This is why home-cooked meals offer a nutritional punch that is hard to beat. The vitamin and mineral content is generally higher.
You can control the content of sugar and salt by using alternatives, such as fruit concentrates.
For teething babies, getting the texture of food right is challenging. With homemade snacks, you can choose the amount of wet ingredients (water, breast milk, or bone broth) and find the perfect texture for your child.
Moreover, homemade baby food is a little kinder on your wallet. You can buy fresh ingredients every week and make different items. This will reduce the cost per serving.
Some examples of homemade baby food include:
- Purees made from different fruits, such as banana, avocado, mango, pear, and papaya
- Apple sauce
- Carrots
- Baby beef stew
- Yogurt mixed with fruit chunks
As your baby grows, you can incorporate more fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products into your baby’s diet.
Advantages of Store-Bought Baby Snacks
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Store-bought baby food isn’t necessarily unhealthy. By selecting the right brands and reading the ingredient lists, you can find nutritious store-bought snacks for your little one.
Here are some more benefits of store-bought food items like baby puffs snacks:
Convenience: Store-bought snacks are excellent options when you’re on the go. You know those rides to the doctor’s appointment where your child cries all the way? A store-bought snack can make the journey pleasant while fulfilling their nutritional needs.
Nutritional Value: When browsing store-bought snacks, make sure they are made with all-natural fruits, vegetables, lentils, and grains. You can also look for organic options.
Variety: This is where store-bought snacks take the lead. They are available in a range of different textures, shapes, and flavours. For instance, the shape of baby puffs can help improve your little one’s pincer grasp ability.
The Importance of Creating a Balance
As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to choose between homemade and store-bought products. Take the following steps to maintain a balance:
Serve Alongside: Serve homemade foods such as potato fingers alongside store-bought puffs. Both of these items will improve your baby’s chewing ability.
Create Blends: You can add store-bought crackers to fruit blends or purees.
Consider Your Energy Levels: Make homemade foods when you have the time and energy, and turn to store-bought items on those busy weekends.
