Organic Baby Food

As your little one develops you want her to have the best of everything. The same goes for what you feed her. Conventionally prepared baby foods can be harmful to your baby. Your child is at the building stage of life, so you must ensure the foods she’s ingesting are nutrient dense and as natural as possible. Many parents are choosing organic over conventional foods and here’s why.

Organic vs. Conventional

Organic foods are grown without pesticides, herbicides and chemical additives; in fact, strict regulations must be met before foods can be labeled "organic". Most conventionally prepared baby foods are high in refined sugars, sodium and preservatives – these are considered "non-foods".

Refined Sugars and salt lack in nutrients and excrete certain vitamins and minerals through the urine. Preservatives such as EDTA (used for coloring) may block absorption of specific nutrients – specifically calcium and magnesium. Organics, on the other hand, are nutritionally dense.

Studies have found specific organic foods contain more vitamins and minerals than conventionally grown foods, which is mainly due to the health of the soil. Organics also tend to taste better. By conditioning your young one’s taste buds with natural whole foods, you will make for a less meticulous eater later in life. Today you can find a variety of affordable healthy organic baby food in your local grocery store.

Tips to Remember when Purchasing Baby Food:

• Read labels: Avoid additives like sugar, salt, BHT, BHA or EDTA, as these are "anti-nutrients".

• Choose foods that are jarred as opposed to canned: The heavy metals may leach into foods.

• Be weary of general claims such as "natural" or "free range": To be labeled as either of these two terms does not require adherence to the same stipulations as "Certified Organics".

• Avoid foods labeled "desserts": These may contain added sugars.

If and when your child is ready to eat meat, make sure the source is from organically raised animals. Conventionally raised livestock may be injected with hormones or antibiotics for mass production purposes.

If possible it’s best to prepare you baby’s food yourself. In this way you, the parent, can control the contents. If organic produce isn’t available, buy seasonal. Support your local farmers. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are less likely to be sprayed with chemical pesticides, while foreign foods may be sprayed to ensure preservation. Use a fruit and vegetable wash to get rid of some of the chemical residue. This can be found at your health food store as well as some grocery stores.

Take the time to read labels and pick apart the contents of your baby’s food. Vitamins and minerals are the building blocks to nutrition. In regards to ingredients, remember that old saying, "less is more"? – It also comes in handy in helping you determine the best foods for your baby.