By: Kristen Carli, MS, RD | Media DietitianNutritionist @camelbacknutritionwellness
Canned foods get a bad rap, but as a dietitian, I can assure you they are perfectly acceptable to feed your baby. In fact, they may offer a few hidden health benefits.
Why Choose Canned Foods?
Nutrient Preservation
In many cases, canned foods are often more nutritious than fresh foods. Did you know that canned tomatoes, for example, are processed and packed within 5 hours of leaving the farm? This remarkable speed helps to preserve the freshness and nutrients of these foods. Fresh tomatoes, in comparison, lose nutrients through oxidation as time goes on. So the longer it takes for the tomato to make its way to the grocery store and then to your home, the more time the nutrients have to degrade.
Enhanced Nutrient Content
Not only are the nutrients preserved in canned foods, but nutrients can also be increased in many cases. In the case of lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, the canning process actually enhances the amount of lycopene found in the tomatoes.
Pre-Cooked Convenience
Because canned food is already cooked, it makes for a super quick meal option. Did you know you can purchase canned potatoes? Potatoes are wonderful baby-friendly food but typically require a long cook time in the oven. Instead of baking potatoes raw, you can open a can of potatoes, drain, rinse, and dress them with a flavorful sauce. I love to serve canned potatoes with store-bought pesto.
Baby-friendly Texture
For busy parents, a major benefit of choosing canned foods is the convenience factor. Not only are these foods already cooked, they are often in the perfect texture for babies that are learning to eat. For example, canned green beans are the ideal size for a baby to pick up and gnaw on. For those babies who lack teeth or the ability to fully break down food in their mouth, canned veggies are often in a mushy texture that prevents choking.
Cost-Effective
But wait, it keeps getting better! We haven’t mentioned the best part: canned foods are really affordable. A can of beans is sold at Walmart for around $0.58. You can’t beat that! It won’t break the bank, and since they are shelf-stable, lasting more than 3 months, you can stock up on an assortment of canned foods to keep on hand at all times.
Things to Consider When Choosing Nutritious Canned Foods For Baby:
Avoid Added Sugars
There are a few nutritional concerns when it comes to buying canned produce for babies. Be sure to choose canned fruit options that are free from heavy syrup, such as varieties packed in 100% juice. This will significantly reduce the amount of added sugars in the fruit offered to your baby, which is important as added sugars should be avoided as much as possible until age 2.
Watch the Sodium
While parents should be surveying canned fruits for added sugars, screening canned vegetables for added sodium is also important. Luckily, most veggies are sold in “lower sodium” or “no salt added” varieties. When choosing foods for babies under the age of 1, I’d recommend sticking to “no salt added” versions.
Putting it into Practice:
Want an example of an entire baby-friendly meal from canned foods? The following example is one I serve to my 1-year-old often: canned cubed potatoes mixed with store-bought pesto, served with 100% juice canned fruit co*cktail and no-salt-added black beans.
FAQs
Canned foods get a bad rap, but as a dietitian, I can assure you they are perfectly acceptable to feed your baby.
Are canned vegetables healthy for babies? ›
You can use canned vegetables, but they may contain more sodium (salt) than fresh or frozen. If you use them, rinse them before you mash them. This helps wash away some of the sodium. Use “no salt added” or “less sodium” canned vegetables when available.
Are canned fruits and vegetables nutritious? ›
Canned fruits and vegetables provide us with many essential nutrients and can actually be healthier than the fresh produce we buy at the store. Most of us understand the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
Is canning baby food safe? ›
Can I use home-canning for my baby food? Canning is an option for baby food but only for certain types of fruits. Avoid canning bananas, figs, Asian pears, tomatoes, cantaloupe and other melons, papaya, ripe mango and coconut. Canning baby food requires a sieve or food mill.
Is canned fruit good for kids? ›
Canned and frozen fruits are perfectly suitable to offer to babies and young children, and are a quick and convenient option for many parents. With canned fruit, choose varieties that are canned in juice as opposed to syrup to reduce the added sugar content.
Is canned tomato ok for babies? ›
Which types of tomatoes are suitable for babies? The NHS includes canned or tinned chopped tomatoes in their recipes for babies aged six months and up, so it's fine to use tomatoes from a tin or a can in your baby's meals. Cherry tomatoes are easier to offer to babies on their own, either mashed or as a finger food.
Are canned green beans ok for babies? ›
Yes. Green beans are an excellent source of vitamin K—an essential nutrient that plays a key role in blood clotting.
What is the healthiest canned fruit? ›
But don't forget about canned peaches, pears, pineapples and more! You may not know that many canned fruits like peaches are picked at peak ripeness and go from field to can in a matter of hours. This means they ripen to their full nutrition and flavor on the plant before making it to your grocery store.
Are canned vegetables considered processed food? ›
In the middle of the spectrum, there are processed foods that have a few added ingredients but still resemble whole food ingredients in some way. Canned vegetables, freshly baked bread and pasteurized milk are processed foods.
Which baby foods have heavy metals? ›
Some baby foods have higher levels of heavy metals than others, including:
- infant rice cereal.
- infant rice puff snacks.
- teething biscuits and rice rusks.
- fruit juice.
- carrots and sweet potatoes.
As long as older Mason jars are clean and do not have obvious chips and cracks, Rogers says they should be okay to use.
What is the safest baby food brand? ›
Safest Baby Food
- Yumi. In addition to only using organic ingredients, Yumi rigorously tests its products for toxic heavy metals. ...
- Once Upon a Farm. Another baby food brand that makes a strong commitment to safe products is Once Upon a Farm. ...
- Square Baby. ...
- Little Spoon. ...
- Serenity Kids.
Canned foods get a bad rap, but as a dietitian, I can assure you they are perfectly acceptable to feed your baby. In fact, they may offer a few hidden health benefits.
Can babies eat canned peaches? ›
Cooked, canned, or peeled peaches can help minimize and even eliminate the reaction. As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity on its own for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Are canned fruits and vegetables healthy? ›
Canned fruits and vegetables are healthy and cost effective. Fresh fruits and vegetables grown at home are the best choices for a healthy diet, but living in an area with four seasons, the growing season for fresh fruits and vegetables can be short.
Can I give my 7 month old canned peas? ›
When can babies have peas? Peas may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Can babies eat canned spinach? ›
Canned foods may contain large amounts of salt and sugar, and shouldn't be used for baby food. Don't feed homemade spinach, beets, green beans, squash, or carrots to babies younger than age 6 months. These foods can have high amounts of nitrates.
When can babies start eating canned baby food? ›
Experts recommend starting solid foods when a baby is about 6 months old, depending on the baby's readiness and nutritional needs. Be sure to check with your doctor before giving any solid foods.
How safe are canned vegetables? ›
Properly stored canned foods will almost always be safe to eat. However, do not eat foods from cans that show these warning signs: Bulging. Leaking.
