How Bad Is It For My Child To Get Fruits And Vegetables From Pouches?

I stand in solidarity with every parent going through the eating process: It’s a f*cking minefield. One minute, peppers are all the rage and I buy them in bulk. After all, peppers are absolutely disgusting, and it’s unthinkable that I would even consider serving them. Pediatric gaslighting is something.

So, to make sure my 4-year-old gets his produce (and to help me sleep at night), we supplement with several bags of fruit and vegetables. Picking them out at the store is like picking out a fancy astronaut’s meal: Want a mix of apples, beets and chia seeds? Maybe carrot, banana and amaranth? And why have regular carrots when yellow ones are an option, too?

But really, mommy guilt doesn’t take a day off, so I started to wonder what damage I was doing to my daughter’s teeth, appetite and spirit by giving her bags. To find out, I tapped Jennifer House, pediatric nutritionist and founder of First Step Nutrition in Calgary, Canada (hello neighbor to the north!). House is the real deal – she has a master’s of science in nutrition and is a registered dietitian, so she knows the science and isn’t afraid to use it. And most importantly, it is the mother who receives the appeal.

“They’re convenient, they’re shelf-stable, and they’re not messy,” she says. “Some pockets have a good amount of vitamins A and C. I’d definitely prefer them to a chocolate granola bar.”

Alas, there’s always a but, and here’s his: The nutritional status isn’t as good as the real thing. Pouches are low in fiber, and most contain no protein or fat — nutrients that are essential to helping your baby grow (not to mention keep them full). And sugar can be tricky, as some have added sugar or fruit juice.

One thing you shouldn’t stress, though? After last year’s recall of baby food bags for lead and other heavy metals (!), parents are naturally concerned about what’s in their children’s bags. It’s good to have organic access, House says, but the research that it’s better for your kids isn’t entirely there.

“The problem with contamination is that you never know,” he says. “It depends on factors such as where the mixture comes from and what the condition of the soil is.”

Instead, House recommends following nutrition labels, picking bags with simple ingredients you care about, and no added sugar. The ingredient list is in descending order, so the first ingredient makes up the bulk of the bag. That’s something to keep in mind. If you’re looking at a bag that says it’s full of veggies, it might just be a small amount.

But first, take a breath: Children often need less food to meet their nutritional needs than parents think — and there are many ways to do that.

He says: “Parents always talk about vegetables, but fruits have the same nutrients.” “Fiber is also important, but you can get it from whole grains or beans. And a multivitamin removes some stress as well.”

It’s tempting to hide vegetables in homemade meals for your kids to eat (I’m guilty of adding meatballs to my meatballs), but this can make kids distrustful of what to eat. in front of them. Instead, House recommends that you keep offering a variety of veggies without stress, and don’t be afraid to use dips, sauces and butter. (Finally, a nutritionist recommends butter!)

The most important thing, however, is not to beat yourself up about taking out the bags when necessary.

“With practice and encouragement from you, one day, your child will decide to eat vegetables,” House says. “In the meantime, you can continue to hand out bags without guilt.”