To Make Homemade Baby Food or to Buy? What’s the Best Food for Baby?

By: Hillary Bennetts

There are plenty of different parenting philosophies and controversial opinions on child-rearing, but let’s agree on one thing: we all just want the best for our babies.

So as a mom who also happens to be a nutritionist, when it came time to fill the belly of my baby boy with something other than milk, I was particularly motivated to find the very best option.

I read about the importance of iron and healthy fats. I researched the ideal balance of macronutrients and the benefits of certain micronutrients. I pinned baby food recipes — so many baby food recipes. I wanted my little guy to be as nourished as possible, so I set out to make my own fresh baby food.

I shopped for the best ingredients. Then I washed, I chopped, I cooked. I had a mess. I did the dishes, I cleaned, and I portioned it all into perfect little silicone molds.

Finally, it was time to eat. And while I felt great about what was on that spoon, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth it. Not that I questioned the importance of food quality or the benefit of good nutrition, but (like all parents) my time is limited. And on a Saturday afternoon, the time I spent making his food was time I didn’t spend engaging with him. Instead of giggling with him over peek-a-boo or reading a book together, I was working away in the kitchen trying to craft the perfect meal.

I started to question whether homemade was the best way. If I was considering pure nutrition, probably. Budget? Maybe, but grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, and organic veggies don’t come cheap. And time? Hard to say. Like many things in life, there is a constant trade-off between time, money, and quality. And like many things in parenting, the most ideal may not always be practical.

So back to the question at hand: should you make or should you buy? It turns out, the answer isn’t so simple. We all have different commitments, priorities, budgets, and preferences, and so we all need to determine what makes sense for our families. For me, the answer is a balance of both — when I have the time and energy, I make my own food. When I don’t, I feel great about feeding my son the best I can buy.

While I can’t tell you what is best for you, I can tell you that as a mom and a nutritionist, I was thrilled to find Serenity Kids. The grab-and-go pouches are packed with the optimal mix of macronutrients from high-quality sources. Made with only pasture-raised poultry and pork, grass-fed beef, and organic veggies, and prepared and packaged in a thoughtful way that preserves as much nutrient content as possible, Serenity Kids baby food variety packs are as close as you’ll come to the quality of homemade in a convenient and shelf-stable pouch. And their mission is simple: like you, they just want the best for your baby.

 

Hillary Bennetts is the founder and owner of Purposeful Plate Nutrition. A member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, she provides nutrition and business consulting services to individuals and businesses. Hillary holds a BA in Economics from Washington and Jefferson College, an MBA from Emory University, and an NC from Bauman College. A marathoner, mountain climber, and mama, she lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and golden retriever.

Website: www.hillarybennetts.com
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