Cheap Recipes for Baby Food. We all know that babies need to eat. But, the cost of buying commercial brand baby foods can quickly mount up. For the frugal spender, and especially with a new family addition, it seems almost impossible to keep up with the demand when it comes to buying those jars of baby food and canisters of baby formula. Even when you can buy it cheap with coupons and club cards, the cost of purchasing pre-made foods (especially the baby formula) far exceeds the cost to make your own baby food. If you choose to follow these tips, not only will you be saving money for your family, and knowing exactly what you eat now, but you will also be reducing waste, simply by consuming less.
Babies can cost a lot of money. You have to buy diapers, clothes, and all types of baby care products. So, to offset the cost of those other baby necessities, you may want to consider making your own baby food. You can easily make your own baby food and here are some super simple recipes! It’s not as hard as you probably think. Follow these simple tips for finding frugal recipes for making baby food that will allow for saving, cost-cutting, and yet be exceptionally nutritional for your little one.
Be sure to SCROLL DOWN FOR SIMPLE BABY FOOD RECIPES…
Step One. Prepare ahead of time for your baby’s food. If you have a freezer, then there’s no reason why you can’t puree some fruits and veggies ahead of time and get that freezer stocked! You’ll be surprised how quick time goes by and when you already have some things prepared, it makes dining at home a bit easier. Pureeing some fruits and veggies is a great way to prep for healthy smoothies and tasty bran muffins. Another mini “pre-baby” step you can take is to actually read the hospital’s New Parent Packets that you receive when the baby is born. These brochures come from a number of different companies that may also include some baby food recipes for first-time parents. If you have a Whole Foods grocer near you, their FREE magazines at the check out also have great baby and kid snack recipes. Their a gold mine when it comes to seasonal snacks. There may only be a few, but they are usually extremely simple and made with ingredients that are not that costly.
Step Two. Search out organic or all natural parenting websites and grocers for baby specialty foods and baby recipe ideas. Buying “organic” and natural foods can be a bit more expensive than non-organic foods, but if you put some effort into it, you can use coupons and save a little that way. See if you can arrange your shopping items; purchase according to what’s on sale or the grocer’s special offers. Usually, the grocer will have weekly or daily ads to check out at the door. This is always a smart way to shop! Plus, if you can get in the routine of purchasing less, yet a little more often, you will find that the amount of food you waste is less too.
Step Three. Buy your baby food ingredients at your local farmer’s market and ask them about recipes for making your own baby food. Farmers have been making their own baby food since the beginning of time. From bananas, apples, and pear puree to a carrot and squash blend, farmers will have plenty of information on making the most out of the foods that they sell. Expect healthy, all natural, and frugal recipes, as well as bargains on the foods that you buy from them. We love farmers! These markets usually offer savings of up to 50% off of the regular supermarket prices. Not to mention the priceless tid bits you’ll get along the way.
Step Four. Ask other parents (experienced parents) and the older members of your family if they have any good recipes for baby food. You might be surprised at how much people remember about the “good old days” when they didn’t have manufactured baby food, and they didn’t have a choice but to make their own baby food! Can you imagine? Tap into your friends and family resources and I’ll bet you’ll be surprised what they share. Grandma’s will introduce you to the “cup of frozen peas” and such!
Scroll Down for Cheap (and Healthy) Baby Food Recipes…
With any baby food recipe, keeping your ingredients simple, and doing your best to buy quality while on a budget, will keep you busy enough.
A “Mom Tip”: Use your freezer wisely. Freeze what you can to get the most out of the foods you buy, for you or the new baby. If you find that you are always tossing out old moldy bread, freeze half of it in a Ziploc Freezer bag until the first half is gone.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cheap Baby Food Recipes:
If you’d like to make your own breakfast for baby, then try this baby cereal recipe which is both wholesome and easy to prepare.
Wholesome Rice Cereal
2 oz brown rice powder
8 fl oz water
a little formula/breastmilk
To make the rice powder, grind brown rice in a blender or food processor. This is best achieved by grinding in small quantities – and to make the powder REALLY fine, you might find a coffee grinder attachment useful.
You can use white rice if you prefer, but brown rice (especially organic brown rice) is more nutritious. Bring the water to a boil. Add the rice powder, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Simmer for about 10 minutes (don’t forget to keep stirring, or the rice will stick). Then stir in enough formula or breast milk to give the consistency that’s best for your baby. Once baby has been introduced to fruit, you could always add a little of his favorite fruit puree.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sweet Potatoes. Experts have ranked sweet potatoes the “number one healthiest vegetable.” They’re
an excellent source of
The following are the best ways to cook this healthy veggie for your baby.
- Baking. This is oh-so-easy! Pre-heat your oven to 375 deg F, 190 deg C. Scrub the potato, prick it with a fork and bake it for around 45 mins, until it feels soft. Cool briefly, then split the skin and scoop out the soft flesh.
- Boiling. Peel and cut the sweet potato into chunks. Use just enough water to cover the potato, then cover the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then simmer until tender. Drain straight away, or the pieces will become mushy and watery.
- Steaming. Place peeled sweet potato cubes on a steamer rack over a pan containing around an inch of water. Cover and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and steam for 10-12 mins.
- Microwave. Pierce a whole sweet potato with a fork, then place on a paper towel and microwave on high for around 5 mins. Allow the potato to stand for a further 5 mins – it will continue to cook during this time and will soften considerably.
- Having a barbecue? Then just wrap a sweet potato in foil and place it in the coals to cook. It will take around 45 mins… and is a great way for your baby to join in the party!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Avacado. These avocado baby food recipes add an array of nutrients to your baby’s diet. Learn how to prepare nature’s ready-made baby food for your little one!
Please note: When you introduce any new foods to your baby, it is important to follow the four day rule, to help you spot potential food allergies and digestive problems. Please remember to consult your doctor before including new foods in your baby’s diet.
First Avocado Baby Food – Sweet Potato and Avocado Dinner
1 small sweet potato
1 avocado, peeled
Bake the sweet potato in its skin for 45 mins – 1 hour until tender.
Cool, then remove the flesh from the skin and mash with the avocado.
Avocado also tastes delicious mashed with cooked butternut squash.
First Avocado Baby Food – Creamy Fruit Mash
1 apple or pear, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 avocado, peeled
little water
Place the prepared apple or pear into a small saucepan and add a little water.
Simmer gently until the fruit is tender.
Transfer the apple or pear to a food processor and puree until smooth.
Mash the avocado with the fruit puree and serve.
First Avocado Baby Food – No-Cook Fruity Treat
1 small, ripe banana
1 avocado
Peel both fruits and mash together for a creamy treat for your baby that’s ready in a flash!
You may also like to try mashing avocado with cooked egg yolk for a simple meal brimming with goodness.
NOTE: We highly recommend avocado as an ideal food to take when you’re travelling with your baby. An unpeeled avocado doesn’t need to be kept cool and you can just slice it and serve it to your baby when you’re out and about. You don’t even need a bowl!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Blueberry.
When can my baby eat blueberries?
Why blueberries are a ’superfruit’
In research carried out by the USDA/Tufts University, blueberries were named as the number one source of antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables!The role of antioxidants in the human body is varied – helping prevent conditions such as peptic ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, hemorrhoids, varicose veins – and serious diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The anthocyanins in blueberries (which give them their distinctive colour) are believed to protect the brain and – in later life – limit the effects of conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
And that’s not all – blueberries are also packed with manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre.
Fresh blueberries have a very mild laxative effect on the body, meaning that they can be very useful in preventing and relieving constipation. Dried blueberries, on the other hand, seem to have the opposite effect and are often recommended for firming up the stools after a bout of diarrhea.
Another interesting characteristic of blueberries is their ability to prevent urinary tract infections, in much the same way as cranberries do. If your child experiences frequent urinary tract infections, then including blueberries in his diet or offering blueberry juice will be a far more palatable and popular solution for him than offering cranberries!
PLEASE NOTE: Eating lots of blueberries can make your baby’s poop look almost black in colour – so beware!
Apple, Pear and Blueberry Puree (6 months+)
1 small, sweet apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
4oz (1/2 cup) fresh blueberries
Just cover with water and simmer gently for approximately 5 mins, until the fruits are tender.
Drain (reserving the cooking water), then transfer the ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth.
Use the reserved cooking liquid to thin the puree, if necessary.
8 fl oz (1 cup) whole (full fat) milk, breast milk or formula
4oz (1/2 cup) fresh blueberries, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place the prepared blueberries into the bottom of a small, oven-proof dish.
Combine the beaten egg yolk with the milk and vanilla extract.
Pour the egg mixture over the blueberries.
Sit the oven-proof dish in the middle of a high-sided baking pan and pour water into the pan until it comes around half way up the sides of the oven-proof dish.
Transfer the baking pan to the oven and cook for 30 mins, until set.
Cool and store in the refrigerator.
Serve chilled.
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
2oz (1/4 cup) blueberries
4 fl oz (1/2 cup) homemade or low sodium chicken stock
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the diced apple and the blueberries and simmer for a further 5-10 mins, until the apple is tender and the pork is cooked through.
Puree or mash all the ingredients together and serve with pasta, rice or potatoes.
1 tsp baking powder
8 fl oz (1 cup) cow’s milk, breast milk or formula
1 whole egg
oil
4oz (1/2 cup) fresh blueberries
Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredents in another.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then gently stir in the blueberries.
Spoon the mixture into a non-stick frying pan, 2-3 tablespoons at a time, and fry for around 1 minute on each side.
NOTES: If you are baking with frozen blueberries, DON’T thaw them before use. If you do, the colour will ‘bleed’ through the food you are making.
Popularity: 61% [?]
