Apples and Peaches: Fall Fruits for Baby

Apples are a great choice for one of baby’s first foods. Apples are easy to prepare, easy to digest and are full of nutrients. Apples are also very versatile and may be added to almost any baby recipe you find.  You can mix apples with cereals, veggie purees, with meat purees and use them in teething biscuit recipes, in healthy cake recipes, in yogurt and mixed with other fruits also. Visit the Apples for Baby page to learn more and find easy and tasty apple recipes.

Peaches may be available all during th year but here in New England, our local peach growers are just beginning to really churn out the crop!  Peaches may be fed to your baby in pureed form alone or mixed into cereals, yogurts, and even in meats such as chicken. For those that start their babies on solid foods earlier than the recommended 6 months of age, peaches are an easy to digest first food for babies between 4-6 months of age. Peaches are yummy, sweet and juicy and they pair well with many other foods for baby such as bananas and avocado. Peaches may be poached, steamed or baked. Please be aware that peaches tend to loose many of their nutrients with prolonged cooking. Baking peaches or using a microwave to steam them may be the best choice of cooking for optimal nutrient retention.  Visit the Peaches for Baby page to learn more and find easy and tasty apple recipes.

The Versatile Autumn Smoothie

Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt 
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
dash of ginger
1 frozen or nicely ripened banana

Directions:
Combine in a blender. 
Blend until smooth. 
Serve immediately. 

This “smoothie” may also be used as a “meal” for baby and may be frozen for later enjoyment.  Mix a bit of this into baby’s sweet potatoes – yum!