Is jarred baby food unhealthy because it can sit on a shelf for "x" amount of time?

Question

I know making the food is the healthiest option and that's what I plan to do, but someone just recently gave me extra baby food she had (cause the baby didn't eat it and ate table food instead) and I don't want it to go to waste. The ingredients all say "the veggie or fruit + water needed in making the preperation". Is this just as good and nutrious as making the food fresh?

I'm not NOT buying the baby food in jars because of the price (jarred baby food is really cheap!) I'm doing it because in my mind I would think making the baby food fresh, from a fersh veggie would be healthier. That's why I'm asking.

Answer 1

No its not as nutritious as making the food yourself. Alot of the nutrients and vitamins have been processed out. And most baby food is 50% water.

Its not going to hurt your baby unless its out of date, but the best thing is to prepair the babies food youself as much as possible.

When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is in the food, you knwo how it was prepaired and when, it is the freshest any baby can possibly get and fresh food as the most nutrients.

I made my sons food for the first 7 months. Until he decided he no longer wanted baby food. I still prepaire his meals with the freshest organic foods I can find. I feel that my son deserves the best foods and I can do that for him.

Answer 2

Actually jarred baby food is healthy just as fresh home made baby food is, just that it's machine processed and so on. As long as it isn't expired you should be ok, if you don't want the jar food I'm pretty sure you can give it to someone else. Personally I'd rather make the food myself plus I'm rather used to making things myself anyway.

My mother made our babyfood, my sister in laws also made their own babyfood as well, so have most of my female relatives. If there were jarred babyfood in anyone's house it basically went to waste and was thrown out or donated. I don't understand baby food either, once my nieces and nephews had gotten teeth they were able to eat the foods we adults ate and even before that it was things like mashed

Answer 3

As long as the food isn't past its expiration date your all good. Personally, I think bying baby food is a waste of time, with the exception of baby cereal. My daghter has always been more fond of whatever we eat, and is MUCH happier eating what we do. Don't waste your money on pre-packaged food for babies or toddlers... once my daughter got teeth we started feeding her whatever we eat... and it goes a lot more smoothly!

Answer 4

Most of the only jarred food my son got was the fruit except applesauce...I made that myself. I used those empty fruit jars to freeze babyfood that I made from scratch.

Answer 5

ok well looking at America today i wouldn't be worrying about baby food being unhealthy but maybe the unhealthy eating habits of American adults with all the fast food and over-possessed junk food and soda we take in.

Answer 6

It's still healthy but as you already know, it's not as good as fresh.They seal the jar tightly and it keeps it good for a long time.It wont hurt to feed little Jackson what your friend gave you.It's still healthy.Just make sure it's not expired!

Answer 7

Actually, making food isn't as healthy for some people. Commercial food has handling requirements. Some people aren't really that clean (don't wash hands before preparing) and it is more sanitary for their child to eat commercial food.

For those that are hygenic and know proper food handling, preparing food is cheaper and sometimes healthier.

A jar of food really isn't that expensive. If you don't see a date, throw it away.