As a mom, there are few things more frustrating than mealtime with a picky eater. But did you know one of the best ways to prevent your baby from becoming a picky eater in the first place is to feed him homemade baby food? While there are many reasons homemade baby food is an ideal choice for our babies, this is my favorite one.
Contrary to what many people may think, babies do not need to eat bland food. They are far more adventurous eaters if given the opportunity. But if your child eats a diet consisting mostly of commercially-prepared baby food, they are eating foods that are usually bland in color, taste and texture (not to mention the smell of store-bought baby food is rarely enticing ). Babies who are fed a consistent diet of this type of food are less eager to try new tastes and textures. Unfortunately, this pattern often continues into the toddler years and well into childhood. How many young children do you know who won’t eat anything other than processed chicken nuggets?
On the other hand, babies who are fed a consistent diet of delicious, homemade baby food often grow to become adventurous eaters who make healthy choices for themselves without even realizing it. Homemade baby food can keep its enticing color, taste, texture and aroma because it is only lightly steamed or roasted and not over-processed. Store-bought brands need to sterilize their food to achieve a long shelf life, a process that kills much of the food’s nutrients, taste, texture and overall appeal.
Starting our babies on solids is not only about teaching them to swallow food from a spoon, but teaching them to love mealtime as well. We want to provide them with a good experience so that meals become something they look forward to, not see as a chore.
I have seen the enormous benefits of homemade baby food firsthand with my three children. They are excited to try new tastes and textures rather than being picky.It’s amazing to me that my 5-year-old prefers salad over chicken nuggets, my 3-year-old loves whole wheat pasta, and my 10-month-old will try anything! This is not to say that kids who are fed homemade baby food won’t go crazy for ice cream, cookies and chicken nuggets on occasion. It’s just that getting them to eat well isn’t a daily struggle.
