Baby Food Pouches - What’s Inside?

There’s no doubt baby food pouches are convenient, but do they contain the nutrients to support your baby’s rapid development and growth?

A recent study conducted by the University of Western Sydney found they come with a host of drawbacks, including:

• The majority contain high levels of sugar, are not fortified with iron and most are nutritionally inadequate.

• The labelling and marketing are misleading.

• There is a risk of harm to an infant’s health if consumed regularly or exclusively.

• Lack of texture can delay oral motor development and the progression to finger foods.

• High level of sugar may promote favouritism toward highly sweetened foods and a diet high in sugar may lead to chronic disease in late childhood extending into adulthood.

In contrast, when you prepare homemade baby food, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring your baby receives adequate nutrition. It is also cost effective, time saving, and fruits and vegetables are often cheaper when bought in season.

While the idea of preparing your own baby food may seem daunting, there are numerous time-saving techniques you can employ to streamline the process.  Batch cooking, freezing individual portions, and utilising kitchen appliances like blenders can help you whip us nutritious meals in no time.

The packaging also contributes to environmental waste, so opting to make your own food can reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

While providing your baby with food from commercial pouches occasionally is okay and can be handy to take with you when out and about, time poor or travelling, fresh homemade food is always a better choice over processed and packaged food.

Baby Food Aisle

Reference:

Brunacci, K.A., Salmon, L., McCann, J. et al. The big squeeze: a product content and labelling analysis of ready-to-use complementary infant food pouches in Australia. BMC Public Health 23, 656 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15492-3