From a jar or a blender? Which is better for your baby: homemade or store-bought baby food? There is a lot of information on the Internet discussing homemade vs store-bought baby food when you start your infant on solid foods around six months of age, according to riseandshinechildrensnational.org.
Benefits of homemade baby food
Choosing to make baby food at home is less expensive than purchasing ready-made products. It also allows you to have control over all the ingredients and flavors without added preservatives, salt or sugar, and you can avoid any foods that may cause allergic reactions. This also incorporates your infant into your family’s eating habits, which is important in establishing healthy eating habits and weight maintenance.
By making homemade baby food purees, you are able to introduce your infant to the unique foods and flavors frequently eaten by your family. On the other hand, it does take time and care to prepare and safely store homemade baby food. If making your own baby food seems like the best option for your family, information on safely preparing baby food can be found at Foodsafety.gov.
Benefits of store-bought baby food
Store-bought baby food meets strict safety guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is convenient and portable and does not require preparation, which is great for busy families. There are many food choices, even when certain vegetables and fruits are not in season in the grocery store. However, when buying store-bought baby food, it is important to read labels to make sure there is no added sugar and salt. Another consideration is that it can be more expensive to buy store-bought food and not as environmentally friendly.
