I wanted to start using a blender for fruits and veggies for my seven month old, should I cook them first or..

Question

does it matter? I give her fresh fruits in the feeder. I talked to one mom who cooks her vegetables and I wasn' sure if that was to rid them of bacteria or if it just makes the veggies taste more mild. It probably makes the consistency different as well. Are their certain veggies you think work better cooked?

Answer 1

You should steam the vegies first. Babies tummies are very sensitive, and raw veggies are stronger than steamed veggies. If I were you I would steam them and mash them up. It is still very healthy for your baby, but will be easier to digest. It will help with consistancy as well, less likely your baby will choke with steamed veggies. Easier to go down. Don't worry about bacteria, as long as you wash your veggies and fruit good , the baby will be fine. I suggest you steam them though. When the baby is older and has more teeth and is able to use his or her mouth properly, she can have raw veggies. IT might be good to ask your pediatrician as well.

Answer 2

Veggies are probably too hard for a baby to chew, I don't know how they would come out in a blender. But fresh raw fruits and veggies are healthier for anyone to eat, so the more you give raw the better. Bacteria shouldn't be much of an issue I don't think. Just wash them well.

Answer 3

It's different with each food. Some you should cook until the baby is a certain age, but some you can serve raw from the beginning. Some need to be strained and others not. I used a really good book named Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. It explains what ages are good for which foods and how to prepare the food for that age, plus a lot of other useful information. I hope this helps!

Answer 4

The only foods that aren't to be cooked first are bananas and avacado, both of those can be blended raw. All other fruits and veggies should be steamed first then blended. It's to help with the consistancy and also to rid them of any bacteria they may have on them. Remeber to peel things like apples, pears, peaches, ect. before steaming them. Boiling the foods is not recommended as it leaches too much of the vitamins out. Steaming is best and then using some of the liquid you steamed them with to blend them to the consistancy you desire.

Answer 5

That really is the best way to save money and give your child the best nutrients in food. Some vegetables are easier to blend if they have been steamed first, like green beans, peas or sweet potatoes. The fruit doesn't really need to be cooked, but you can steam apples before blending them to help them blend better and be more consistent. You also might have to add some water or juice, to keep it from being too dry or chunky. Some good foods to use are: carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, green beans, bananas, strawberries, apples, mangoes, blueberries, pears and peaches.

Answer 6

Most vegetables need to be cooked first. It's recommended that you steam them - that way they are softened enough for your baby without destroying and losing nutrients. I would steam all root veggies, beans, greens, and squash. You could probably serve tomatoes raw.

There are actually some good books on making your own baby food. Check out amazon for some titles.

Answer 7

I always cooked the veges and fruits first to make them softer, and taste better. I began with squash, carrots, peaches, apples, sweet potatoes, and then moved on to others. I think you should definetly cook them all first. It also makes them easier to puree also.

Answer 8

As far as the fruits, just crush them.
The veggies doesn't have to be cooked but you could also, just make sure if you decide to give it to her raw, make sure they are sliced carefully so she won't choke off them.

Answer 9

i would do cooked veggies but not fruit. also try purreeing the frozen fruits and veggies you can get from the grocery store frozen fruits and veggies still have most of their nutrients so better for baby.