Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron
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Book Reviews of Super Baby Food
Book Review: Might be luck, but my son is a fantastic eater now!
Summary: 5 Stars
I heard of "Super Baby Food" through a friend when my son was about 11 months old. He was at the time a good eater, though picky-- wouldn't eat the green food unless I hid a little in some orange food, but he was adventurous about trying new things at least once. I started making some of my own baby food, just the porridges, and when he responded well to these, I began steaming and freezing yams, kale, mashed beans, and other real food. It didn't take much time, just a little organization. We delayed giving him added sugar or salt until about 18 months, when we began to introduce them in the context of meat and vegetables (since carbs don't need any incentive to eat!)
Later on I graduated to some of the more appealing looking (if less health conscious) meals in "First Foods" by Annabel Karmel, and now, at 3, my son is a full participant in all the family meals. Everybody is impressed at the range of foods he eats-- he loves and even demands broccolis and fresh greens, enjoys almost every sort of fruit, digs into steaks, Indian and Chinese food, even calamari! It makes mealtimes so easy, compared to what I see other parents going through (and what I go through when babysitting his friends.) I never have to cook something different for my son, he loves going to restaurants, and we can enjoy each other's company at meals, rather than be tense about how much and what he's eaten.
This could all be good luck, but it makes me wonder whether the picky eating phenomenon is partially caused by tastebuds developed on canned baby food! I don't know since I only know three children raised on homemade baby food, but they are all three very hearty and omnivorous eaters (from three different families of different ethnicities, so the connection is not genetic.) Give this book a shot, especially if your baby is young enough not to have become addicted to commercial baby food.
Book Review: Great book for people who want all the details
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is excellent, but it's a little eccentric. I think the food charts (which foods to start when) and the general nutrition info (never really had to think about it before, but now that you're planning meals for someone else, it becomes very important) make the book worthwhile for anyone. One of the complaints from others here is that it is long-winded. It is a bit, but mostly it's slightly repetitive because she has a few points that are core to her, and also she is cross-referencing. It is easy to read, actually, but it is more like a story than a fact sheet. I think in this day and age, most people are looking for bullet points and pictures. I appreciated the details. I found myself going back and forth, jumping among chapters and pages, sometimes re-reading sections, so I liked the cross-referencing; meanwhile, some sections I never read. That's okay. It becomes quite obvious which are directly relevant, and which are less so, and one always has to read (anything) with a critical eye, as it applies to you. She spends a few chapters on how to make your own baby food; frankly, we didn't make our own baby food until recently when he could start eating food that was somewhat "normal". But those chapters were still useful because you learn a lot about handling food and spoilage and maximizing nutrition without sacrificing taste -- things that are important even later.
The thing that impressed me about the book is that, in my reading of it, she is someone who really has a gift for noticing all the details about how to feed her baby -- what works and why, how to save some time and money without compromising quality (actually improving it), how to integrate feeding into life and your baby's development, etc. We had great results by following her advice.
Book Review: Super Baby Food - Useful Tool!
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading a couple of reviews of this book, I decided to write my own (a first) because there are a few inaccuracies in some of the reviewers' problems with this book. This particular book was recommended to me from my pediatrician after the birth of my first child. As a new mom, I was clueless as to what and when to feed my baby. This book was one of my most useful tools to reference throughout my daughter's first year. I actually highlighted important facts and tips, which also helped me to ask the right questions during my chid's well-checks. The following were most helpful:
1. Easy to follow "Schedule of Food" during baby's first year
2. Simple month by month chapters on what baby could eat
3. Safety warnings and food allergies - Note: One reviewer wrote about peanuts, and introducing too quickly; however this book specifically states: "Be sure to get your physician's ok before introducing..." And, another reviewer spoke about the carrots, this book taught me NOT to make my own carrots under, "WARNING...In some parts of the country, these crops contain nitrates, and may cause a type of anemia..."
4. Loved all the easy to follow recipes
Yes, this book is a bit long, but also is chalked full of useful information. One deal killer might be the author's aversion to meat. If you're looking for ways to feed your baby a nice pureed beef meal, this book is probably not for you.
I've bought several copies of Super Baby Food to give as baby shower gifts to close friends and relatives. With this book, you don't have to go out and spend $100+ on a food puree system. This is pretty much all you need...with a blender and some ice-cube trays (BPA free, of course). I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
Book Review: Great book--if you know how to use it!
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading the reviews of this book, I think it's important to comment on a few things. First off, I have used this book since my son was an infant and found it to be a lifesaver. At first I was completely OVERWHELMED because I'm a cover-to-cover reader and I had to leave that behind. I simply paper-clipped off certain parts so I could focus on what I needed to at the time.
I got away from the book when my son turned one and I got pregnant with number two--I was too tired to cook everything from scratch. Since then my son has been sick constantly and now has asthma. I returned to the "purple bible" and some other "nutrition for asthma" books and he's doing remarkable better both in behavior and health.
As far as exactly when and what to feed your baby, do what makes you comfortable. It states many times to let your child's dr. know that you're using this plan; I did so and he was fine with it. If you're leary of certain things, then don't use them. And if you have an allergy in your family, certainly stay away from it. Regardless of what she preaches, your gut instinct and common sense should come first. But for those of you out there whose kids can't have Goldfish and grahm crackers, I highly advise adding this book to your everyday cooking--it's a great place to start healthy nutrition from day one! And it does not take long to batch cook once you get the hang of it. Not every mom can say that her son had hummus on rice crackers for his snack to day...and asked for MORE!
PS One bit of advice: she preferrs a blender, but I learned that a medium food processor and coffee bean grinder works best for all needs.
Book Review: Food Glorious Food - Babies to Toddlers, This Has It All!
Summary: 5 Stars
An absolutely marvelous book for those wanting to maximize your childrens food intake! I found this book when my first was 3 months old and it has been my bible of food preparation and consumption for all my kids.
Some people will think the ideas presented in this book are over-the-top, but after much research, I do believe that the foundations in this book are excellent and have provided my children a great start in a lifetime of healthy eating.
My eldest is 5 years old and his favorite dinner is poached salmon, asparagus and wild rice. All my kids love salad, veggies and things like unsweetend yogurt and oatmeal. They would rather have fruit or veggies instead of french fries or twinkies as snacks. Our whole family eats better now.
There are a few things that are not perfect in this book:
1. The book is not necessarily laid out in the most organized of fashions - it takes a good read and a bunch of sticky notes to flag your favorite spots to make it practical using all the time.
2. The author adds tips in the most random places - on the most random topic sometimes (similar to the ___ for Dummies books).
3. There are some over the top warnings and suggestions. I mean I would prefer totally safe organic food for my children, but not always feasible or practical for purchase.
This book great for the beginning mom and for the moms of toddlers as there are fun recipes for snack foods and even craft ideas. Fun and informational after you get through the organizational issues. Get it - your missing life without someting great if you want your kids to eat well.