Did you know that by weight, your baby will eat more, drink more and even breathe more air than you? Not only is this a fascinating fact, it helps to explain why what goes in your baby’s little body can have such a tremendous impact.
Organic food is a relatively new concept that is taking off rapidly. It’s founded on a “back to basics” belief that many people see as the solution to the unexplained rise in many health issues, including dramatic increases in serious childhood diseases. As examples, childhood brain cancer has increased in 50% since 1975, autism rates have increased at least 10 times since 1980, diagnosis of asthma is twice as common and childhood food allergies are skyrocketing. When it comes to pinpointing the exact cause of these health issues, many scientists point to a few common practices in the food industry. Namely, the widespread use of pesticides in farming, the use artificial ingredients in processed foods and the common dosing of livestock with antibiotics and hormones.
Organic foods offer consumers a purer choice in foods. Along with being free of pesticides, artificial ingredients, hormones and antibiotics, organic foods are also of free of genetically modified ingredients, artificial colors and hydrogenated fats. It is becoming a common understanding that organic food is healthier than conventionally produced foods.
When it’s time to introduce your baby to wonderful flavors of solid food, we recommend that it be organic. Your baby’s first two years are filled with rapid growth and development. In fact, your baby’s body and brain grow faster during this period than at any other time. Healthy foods play a major role in your baby’s developing body. Babies are more vulnerable to environmental toxins, such as pesticide residues. Eating organic food has proven to reduce the amount of pesticides found in the body.
Parents today have many choices in baby and toddler foods, juices and snacks. The baby food industry is big business - over a $1.1 billion in sales each year. Not surprisingly, organic food is an understandably growing trend in baby food. This trend brings good news for parents – more choices – and not all of them are located on the shelf in the baby aisle of your local supermarket. Here’s a run down of some organic baby food options:
Jarred organic baby food has hit the mainstream market. You’ll find these little jars in the traditional spot – the baby aisle of stores; or if your grocery has a specific “Healthy Foods” area, check there as well.
The big benefit to jarred baby is convenience. No refrigeration is required until the jar has been opened. However, these foods are quite processed; and as a result, they don’t have the natural smell, taste and texture that you may be hoping for in an organic baby food.
Packaged frozen organic baby food is a convenient twist on the homemade practice of using an ice cube tray when making baby food. Packaged in single serving cubes in disposable trays, frozen organic baby food makers offer a variety of flavors frozen baby food cubes at natural food stores.
The frozen baby food cubes are simple to use, just defrost and go. The pre-portioned cubes mean very little waste. Frozen baby food tastes just like real food, but the variety of flavors is somewhat limited, and the price tag may not fit your family’s budget.
Fresh organic baby food is offered by a very few manufacturers, but it is out there. Check your local healthy grocery store. You will likely find fresh organic baby food in the dairy case.
Like frozen baby food, fresh baby food tastes just like what we as adults would consider “real food.” It is slightly more convenient than the frozen cubes, because it is ready-to-serve out of the container. As with the frozen variety, flavors are limited and the cost is noticeably higher than the jarred options.
Homemade baby food is great option and less expensive than any other type of baby food – jarred, frozen or refrigerated. If you think you’re the only parent making your own baby food – think again! A leading research firm estimates that as many as 62% of parents make all or some of their baby’s food. Making your own baby food offers the entire produce section full of variety, the freshest taste, smell and color, and takes less time than you might think.
Your baby deserves the best. So whether you buy it in jars, cold, frozen or opt to do-it-yourself, you don't want so skimp on food for your baby; it is just too important. Go for organic!
© 2007, Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers