Infants are more sensitive to pesticides because of their more vulnerable nervous and immune systems. A government study of children whose diets were changed from regular to organic found their pesticide levels plunged almost immediately. The amount of pesticide detected in the children remained imperceptible until their diets were switched back to conventional food. All of this clearly explains the rise in popularity of organic baby food. Sales of organic baby food have jumped nearly 18% since last year, double the overall growth of organic food sales, according to the marketing information company ACNielsen.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
You can make your own fresh baby food in the blender from organic fruits and vegetables. The folks at Kidsorganics.com recommend the following steps:
OPTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
What you need:
- A clean hand-powered baby food grinder, an electric blender or a food processor.
- Organic vegetables, fruits, meats, grains, and legumes. If you do not have access to organic produce, clear pesticides, and dirt off of conventionally-grown produce with a non-ionic food grade surfactant such as Healthy Harvest, Fruit and Vegetable Rinse.
- Liquid, (such as breastmilk, natural baby formula, or mountain spring water.)
- A stainless steel pot, for when cooking meats and vegetables.
- An ice-cube tray and Baggies, in which to freeze, then store the baby food.
Cooking:
- Wash fruits and vegetables, thoroughly. Peel and de-seed, if necessary. Rinse grains and beans with water. Remove any skin and fat from meats.
- Cook food in small amount of water, until tender. Cook meats until fully-cooked, no pink!
- Do not add any salt, sweeteners or spices to any of the foods.
- Place food in grinder, blender or food processor. Add liquid you will be using. Puree. Food should be very thin for new eaters, pasty for seasoned eaters, and chunky for older children.
- Spoon out small portion into baby bowl.
- Feed baby small portion of food with baby spoon.
- Feed until baby is no longer interested in eating, and turns face away from food.
- Throw away any food left in baby's bowl that is not eaten.
- Freeze any unserved food in ice cube tray. Cover tray with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. After food is frozen, take out of ice cube tray and place each "ice-cube serving portion" in it's own separate baggie. Do not forget to label the baggie with the name of the food, and the date it was made. Frozen baby food is good for 1 month from freeze date.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
- EPA.gov: Pesticides and Food: Why Children May be Especially Sensitive to Pesticides
- Organic Consumers Association: Parents with Pesticide Fears Turn to Organic Food
RELATED LINKS:
- Podcast: Is your baby starving for good nutrition
- Homemade Baby Food
RECOMMENDED MEDIA (Video, Audio, Books, etc.):
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