A baby jar started, a pouch half-eaten: when baby is stuck or simply when he doesn't want to finish his meal, we're like you, we always have qualms about throwing away. Here are some tips to avoid food waste and save leftovers! We already prepared an article on storing homemade baby jars , now it's time for our little dishes and pouches to go through the anti-waste machine :)
Don't bite off more than you can chew
When preparing your child's lunch or dinner, try to keep an eye on things: you know your baby's appetite inside and out! There's no point in heating up a large portion if you know for sure they won't finish their meal. Instead, pour the portion they're likely to eat into a bowl or plate and store the rest of the meal in the fridge. Once opened, baby food jars can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Freezing baby food jars?
Got some freezer space to stock up on? That's great, because your baby's purees and compotes can stay frozen for up to 2 months. To do this, you'll need a proper freezer that can go down to -18°C (a fickle little freezer won't do the trick). You'll also need to make sure that any meals you're planning to take to the Far North are about to be frozen for the very first time. You should never refreeze something that's already been thawed!
The big advantage of freezing: beyond the practical side, your baby will be able to discover a maximum of fruits and vegetables, even if it is not the peak season!
Defrosting baby food properly
To defrost your baby's favorite meal, the ideal is to first leave it in the fridge for 12 hours. If you're really in a hurry, you can use your microwave: just make sure to mix the recipe well and taste it to check the temperature before offering it to your child! If you notice that the consistency of your puree has changed slightly after being in the freezer, rectify this with a little water (to make the dish more liquid) or, on the contrary, by adding a little cereal if you want to gain consistency: child's play! If the defrosted meal has a suspicious appearance and/or smell, do not eat the product.
The mistake to avoid: thawing baby food at room temperature. This is the best way for bacteria to proliferate undisturbed!
Always be one step ahead (thanks to the freezer)!
