Organic Infant Food: Everything You Need to Know
The must-knows for choosing true organic infant food and understanding what is in the food you are feeding your children.
What Makes Organic Infant Food, Organic?
To begin with organic baby food, it is crucial to begin by explaining what categorizes foods as organic. Produce is labeled organic when it is grown without the use of chemicals, pesticides, or any other artificial substances to assist growth.
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) states, “Produce can be called organic if it’s certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest” (McEnvoy, 2019).
The USDA emphasizes the importance of how the use of the word ‘organic’ is used on the products you buy. In addition, McEnvoy (2019) explained how oftentimes products state ‘made with organic produce’ which means that the food is made of 70% organic produce and the rest is not organic ingredients.
It is a common misconception to see ‘made with organic produce’ and assume the entire product is organic, which is why it is crucial to understand the basis of organic produce in order to know exactly what you are feeling your children.
What Makes Organic Infant Food Better Than Other Infant Food?
Now that you know all about what makes food organic, let’s connect it to the importance of buying organic infant food.
The HelpGuide (2015) states that buying organic is better because of absence of pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)s. Organic infant food allows you to know exactly what you are feeding your baby and to prevent them from consuming harsh chemicals and other artificial substances.
In addition to the lack of harmful ingredients and additives, feeding your baby organic food fills them with nutritious produce packed with vitamins essential for growth and development.
The Best Vitamins for Infants and What Foods Contain Them?
Vitamin D
Vitamin D keeps your baby’s bones strong. If you are breast feeding, a vitamin D supplement is needed.
(but formula normally contains a sufficient amount.)
Vitamin B12
Breastmilk does not contain vitamin B12, so it is necessary that you take supplements in order for you and your baby to have regular levels.
A lack of vitamin B12 can make you and your baby feel sluggish and weak.
Iron
Similarly to vitamin 12, breastmilk has very low levels of iron. This means babies who breast feed need iron supplements in order to have regular iron levels.
Omega-3s
This supplement is crucial for brain development. If your baby is not breastfeeding or using formula with DHAs, an Omega-3 supplement is necessary for your baby’s development.
These vitamins are found in many foods that you can feed your baby as a substitute for vitamins (depending on the level of deficiency).
Vitamin D
Eggs
Juices (100%)
Yogurt
Cereals
Vitamin B12
Dairy products (cow milk and cow milk products only for babies 12 months and older)
Eggs
Fortified Cereals
Iron
Cereals
Dark leafy greens
Beans and lentils
Additionally, the CDC explains that pairing these foods with foods rich in vitamin C will help the baby absorb the iron.
Berries
Sweet potatoes
Broccoli
Oranges
Omega-3s
Breastmilk
Spinach
Squash
Flax Oil/Seed
The Best Organic Infant Foods
According to Great Housekeeping’s Stefani Sassos, the top 7 organic infant foods include:
Ella’s Kitchen - Organic Purees
Once Upon A Farm - Organic Fruit & Veggie Blend
Cerebelly - Organic Baby Puree Pouches
Amara - Organic Baby Food Pouches
Little Spoon - Organic BabyBlends
Yumi - Blends
Plum - Organic Pouches
