Homemade Baby Food Part Two

Are you ready for part two? Organic!

Making Baby Food is economical, easy, and healthy. I think the biggest factor comes down to economical. There are more and more options out there for buying baby food that is organic and without added extras. There are a few companies in the USA that do have great organic options available. (You can see a few listed at the end of this post). I looked on-line and did find several websites that provide baby food that is made with organic ingredients, frozen, jarred, not jarred,boxed, etc. However, you have to pay the penny to buy organic pre-made food.

Would I use jarred baby food and am I totally against it?
Yes. No. Prospectively. I used jarred food in the past with my other two girls. I am not totally against it. In fact, if I travel to far off distances where I can't really store my homemade food properly, you can bet that I would buy a jar or two (organic, of course) to feed to my daughter. I am encouraged that there are more and more companies that are coming out into the stores and trying to promote healthy baby food to the consumer. I just find that it is better for us (not to beat a dead horse here) to make our own.

Now, some of you may ask if using organic ingredients for making your own baby food can be expensive? Making your own organic baby food can be very reasonably priced. Organic food is very important when it comes to feeding babies, simply because their stomachs and bodies are so much smaller and delicate than our bodies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences, standard chemicals used in conventional farming are up to ten times more toxic to children than to adults, depending on body weight.

Why buy?
Once your child starts eating solid food, certain items should be purchased organic as often as possible, due to the higher levels of pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics found in conventionally grown versions
Children's developing immune, central-nervous, and hormonal systems are especially vulnerable to damage from toxic chemicals.
Children may be at risk of higher exposure to the toxins found in nonorganic food because baby food is often made up of condensed fruits or vegetables, potentially concentrating pesticide residues. While at least one company says their nonorganic baby food has pesticide and heavy-metal levels below government-recommended levels, that may be cold comfort for parents wanting the healthiest options for their baby.

Where to buy?
To limit your children's exposure to the pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and other toxins found in some nonorganic products, buy organic foods as much as possible.

• Grocery Markets: Many grocery stores are now supplying organic foods and often will have discounts.
• Farmer's Market
• Grow your own: We have started our own garden and I plan to use many of the foods we harvest for baby food. I can prepare it at home and freeze for future use.

When shopping. I have always looked to see if organic items I plan to buy have this symbol.

What to buy?
Here is a great site that updates you on what fruits and vegetables are best to buy organic. I found it to be helpful and resourceful.

Organic Must Buys
meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, grapes, winter squash, spinach, green beans,*strawberries & raspberries,cantaloupe,bell peppers,celery,potato
tomato,lettuce,
*foods that don't have a peel and are difficult to clean and are heavily sprayed with pesticides
Lowest in Pesticides:
asparagus, avocados, banana, broccoli, cauliflower, corn (sweet), kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, peas (sweet), pineapple
Resources:
First: Here are some websites that I found that sold organic foods. I know there are more, these were just a few I found.
Happy Baby Food
Homemade Baby
Earth's Best

If you live in the UK : Kiddies Kitchen--Thank you for your comment. I checked out your website and I love that you promote cooking with your children and are supportive of feeding children healthy organic foods.

Consumer Reports