A half-eaten jar of baby food, a half-emptied pouch : when baby gets full or simply doesn't want to finish their meal, we're just like you, we always feel guilty about throwing things away. Here are a few tips to avoid food waste and save leftovers! We've already prepared an article on storing homemade baby food ; now it's our own little dishes and pouches' turn to go through the anti-waste process :)
Don't bite off more than you can chew.
When preparing your child's lunch or dinner, try to use your judgment: you know your baby's appetite best! There's no point in heating up a large portion if you know perfectly well they won't finish their meal. Instead, pour the portion they're likely to eat into a bowl or plate and store the rest in the refrigerator. Once opened, baby food jars will keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Freezing baby food jars?
Do you have room in your freezer to stock up? Perfect timing! Your baby's purees and compotes can be kept for two months in the freezer. To do this, you'll need a proper freezer that goes down to -18°C (a temperamental small freezer won't do). You also need to make sure that the food you're about to send to the Arctic is being frozen for the very first time. Never refreeze a product that has already been thawed!
The big advantage of freezing: beyond the practical aspect, your baby will be able to discover a maximum of fruits and vegetables, even if it's not the peak season!
Defrost the baby food jars properly
To defrost your baby's favorite meal, ideally, leave it in the refrigerator for 12 hours first. If you're really in a hurry, you can use your microwave: just be sure to mix the recipe well and taste it to check the temperature before serving it to your child! If you notice that the consistency of your purée has changed slightly after being frozen, adjust it with a little water (to make it thinner) or, conversely, by adding a little cereal if you want a thicker consistency: it's a piece of cake! If the defrosted meal has a suspicious appearance and/or smell, do not consume it.
The mistake to avoid: defrosting baby food jars at room temperature. It's the best way for bacteria to multiply undisturbed!
Always be one step ahead (thanks to the freezer)!
