All parents want to give their baby the best possible start in life – and there are tons of decisions to make. Do you bottle or breast feed? Co-sleep or not? Disposable diapers or cloth diapers? There’s a ton of decisions,and deciding what type of food to feed your child – especially when they first start with solid foods. Do you buy store bought baby food not knowing what’s in it? Make your own (which is very time consuming), or buy organic?
I have been there done that on all of the above when it comes to giving my kids solid foods for the first time. I believe that organic baby food is the way to go – for many reasons.
In order for a baby food to carry this label, it must meet the strict guidelines set by the USDA’s National Organic Program. If you aren’t familiar, that means organic foods are grown and processed without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and meat from animals are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. They must not contain any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives either. Feeding your baby organic should limit their exposure to these substances, which we assume is a healthier alternative.
Recently we tried Pure Spoon who is the maker of the first cool temperature, high-pressure, pasteurized organic baby foods and purees. Pure Spoon is a game changer because of the way they are made; high=pressure pasteurization means higher nutritional value and more flavor than the traditionally used high-heat pasteurization which depletes nutrition and flavor.
There are many health benefits of choosing organic vs regular store bought processed baby food. Not only have studies shown it’s better for your child, and can help reduce health problems (see paragraph below from livestrong.com) but it also taste better (if you don’t taste your babies food before you feed it to them – you need to!!)
According to the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Jay Hoecker, organic baby food can decrease your infant’s exposure to pesticides and other contaminants in foods. A study published in the journal “Environmental Health Perspectives” found that kids who ate conventional foods had several different pesticides in their systems, but these chemicals disappeared within a day after switching to organic food and juice. According to Allison Pennell writing at the parenting website Babble.com, ongoing exposure to pesticides can make babies and children more vulnerable to health problems, including a risk of neuro-development damage in particular. Since babies’ brains and bodies are at a crucial stage of development, many believe that it is necessary to limit their exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals. Pennell also writes that the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” claims that organic produce contains more nutrients and higher levels of vitamins.
Pure Spoon now comes in Nine flavors:
Spinach, Pear, & Banana • Sweet Potato & Apples Creamy Avocado & Pears • Carrots & Zucchini • Blueberry, Banana & Apples • Simply Carrots • Apples & Broccoli • Butternut Squash, Apples & Oats • Creamy Avocado & Apples
Though the suggested retail price is around $2.69 – $2.99, a bit higher than the room-temperature, processed jars you buy in the store), but they do come in 4 oz. containers, so starting out you can use 1 package for 2 meals. Also the amount of money you could save in the future on medical bills well outweigh the additional money you would pay now for the organic food.
Where to find Pure Spoon
In over 50 stores nationally, including Whole Foods & Wegmans
In nine states including: TX, OK, LA, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA & VA
Online sales start in 60 days
