Looking for recipes for home-made baby snacks. For example, Gerber makes "Fruit Wagon Wheels" or some such thing. They're nice fluffy snacks that get soggy easily, etc., but they're full of junk. I'd like to make my own. Anyone have any recipes for anything like that? THANKS

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 04, 2002

Answers

How old is your child? That would help me go through the recipes I used for my kids.

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

She'll be 1 year old next week. THANKS!

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 04, 2002.

Instead of trying to duplicate snacks, I would stay with having her eat good healthy food, like fruits and veggies. This will help later on in keeping her off the junk food, and in learning to eat what is put in front of her. Just my $0.02. You might want to check in your bookstore or library for "make your own baby food" type books.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 04, 2002.

Well, yes, THANKS, she does eat plenty of fresh fruits & veggies - she loves to snack on tofu too! But, I know I've seen some recipes somewhere for 'bread type' snacks - home-made crackers, etc....stuff we can take along to church, etc. that won't get too messy, but keeps her occupied & isn't filled with partially hydrogenated oils! I have the book 'Super Baby Food' & that has some recipes in it I will try, but thought I'd ask here too! THANKS! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 04, 2002.

Oh, okay, I see what you're saying. Didn't mean to offend at all!

I know my dentist has said that while sodas/sparkling water are bad for teeth (even without sugar, the carbonation eats the tooth enamel), cookies and crackers (even healthy ones) are even worse for the teeth because they stick to the teeth longer and do more damage that way. Same with even natural dried fruit.

Have you looked at some of the natural/healthy cereals that have big enough pieces to pick up with little fingers (I know a lot of parents do the cheerios thing) in your store or at a health food store? Brands like Kashi or Harmony? Good homemade granola? Small pretzels aren't too bad either, although they do have a bit of hydrogenated oil in them--I always keep some in the car.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 04, 2002.

GT - I giggled at your posting - I remember we went around a little bit on the homeschooling post too & you thought you had offended me there as well! ;) You haven't offended me about anything! I appreciate your thoughts!

It's interesting what your dentist said about that stuff sticking to your teeth & doing damage - I can see why. That makes sense.

We do the 'cheerios thing' as well - they are a life saver! Also, I guess I'll check again at the health food store for other cereals that might do the trick!

THANKS! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 04, 2002.

You might also want to look at cookbooks for backpacking, and check out recipes for trail mix or GORP (good 'ol raisins and peanuts), provided your little one isn't allergic. It seems as though you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, sugar or fats, :-) Since you would be watching her as she's eating, nuts shouldn't be a problem, but then I suppose it depends upon how many teeth she has!

There may be some recipes online as well.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 04, 2002.

THANKS - She doesn't have any teeth yet, so we're still gumming everything to death! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 05, 2002.

Just a side note about raisins, nuts, grapes, etc. I have a friend whose 15 month old collapsed a lung when he choked on a peanut. She was right there with him, and he had been eating peanuts for a couple of months. Those foods aren't recommended until a child is at least 3-4 years old for that very reason:^). Just something you might want to keep in mind. If you dehydrate, pureed fruits dehydrated become fruit leather, you can even mix it with yogurt and dehydrate that as well. Good luck!!

-- Gina NM (inhock@pvtnetworks.net), April 05, 2002.

That's true, Gina. On the other hand, I knew people who were still breastfeeding at 2, or pureeing everything :-)

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 05, 2002.

There are a bunch of recipes at www.geocities.com/oz_france/kitchenette/teething/

-- Cathy N. (eastern Ontario) (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), April 05, 2002.

THANK YOU ALL! That geocities web site is very helpful - I can't wait to try them! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 05, 2002.

I have a cookbook called "Feed Me I'm Yours". It's written by Vicki Lansky's and on the cover it says: "Baby Food made easy; delicious, nutritious and fun things you can cook up for your Kids!" It's a great cookbook and it has all kinds of thing in it that kids love. I got it when my son was a year old. I like it because it is nutritional foods, not a bunch of junk foods with alot of sugar.

-- Jodie in TX (stanchnmotion@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.