Children’s allergies: cooking for an allergic babyThe meals and the recipes that follow do not contain milk, wheat, or eggs. (For other recipes, consult Allergy Recipes, The American Dietetic Association.) Because commercially prepared baby foods may contain additives, sugar, starch, or salt used to enhance their texture or their taste, it would be advisable for a mother to prepare her own baby foods. To do that, she needs a food mill, a strainer, or an electric blender. A food mill will puree fruits and vegetables and separate out seeds, cores, and skin as it does so. A strainer can be used to puree soft fruits and vegetables. A good blender will puree meats, vegetables, and fruits. (Before pureeing fruit in strainer or blender, peel, core, and remove seeds.) When the baby is old enough to eat strained solids, a mother can adapt his meals to those of the family by taking out the baby's portion after the food has been cooked (but before adding seasoning and spices) and then pureeing it. Some easy methods for preparing baby foods are outlined here. Fruits: Bananas need only to be mashed with a fork. All other fruits should be cut up into small pieces, steamed until soft, and pureed. Vegetables: All vegetables should be cut into small pieces, cooked, and then pureed. Meats, poultry, and fish: These can be baked, broiled, poached, stewed, or braised, but not fried. They should be cooked, skinned, and de-boned, cut up, and pureed. Fish (even fillet) should be carefully checked for bones before pureeing. Cooked, cut-up lamb, veal, beef, and pork can be pureed in a blender. Other foods: Soup is a good choice. A cup for the baby should be taken out before spices are added, and, if necessary, it can be pureed. Baby foods must be prepared with clean hands (to prevent any spread of harmful bacteria) and clean, freshly washed utensils. Unused portions must be covered and refrigerated immediately; they'll keep for three days. Spoonfuls of the prepared foods can be dropped on a foil-covered tray and then frozen; they'll keep for one month in the freezer. *13/99/5* ALLERGIES «Medications Without a Prescription» |