It’s cuteness overload when your little ones start trying new foods! They leave you in no doubt of whether they like it or not with their funny little facial expressions and sounds. Applesauce is usually a firm favorite, so it’s handy to stock up on it. There are various brands on the market, so which ones should we buy? Is baby applesauce the same as regular applesauce?
Regular and baby applesauce are very similar as both are made from apples that have been cooked and pureed. However, some regular applesauce brands contain sugar and other additives, and the texture may be thicker. In contrast, baby applesauce should be pure and usually has a softer texture.
Applesauce is a popular early baby food because it’s easily digestible and nutritious for little ones. It’s also very palatable, and they usually love it. So, what options are suitable for your baby and your time and energy as a possibly tired mom?
Is Baby Applesauce The Same As Regular Applesauce?
Although regular and baby are the same, the consistency and texture can vary. Another differing factor is the price. Baby applesauce is more expensive than regular applesauce.Â
Doctors recommend that little ones only start on solids when they are about six months old. Some are a little younger, but they should only have them after four months old.Â
Applesauce For Different Ages
Infants younger than four months should not have applesauce because their digestive system cannot cope with anything besides breastmilk and formula.Â
Because their solids start with baby cereal and build up to blended fruits, vegetables, and meats, babies will not usually have applesauce until they are about six months old. At that age, the pureed apple sauce should be very smooth. Remember, it’s a gradual process of adapting from milk only to new, textured foods.
When your baby is about ten months old, he will probably cope with and enjoy applesauce that is chunkier and thicker.Â
Regular And Baby Applesauce Have Similar Ingredients
If you read the ingredients listed on the different brands’ packaging of applesauce, you will notice they are all very similar.Â
Some regular applesauce brands contain sugar, preservatives, and other unpronounceable additives. Most responsible parents agree that babies should not consume these things, so those brands should get taken out of the equation immediately.
But then you are left with many other unsweetened, organic applesauce brands, with nothing added to them besides perhaps lemon juice or ascorbic acid. This type is entirely suitable for little ones. If the consistency is too thick or chunky, you can put it through the blender to make it smoother.Â
Baby Applesauce Is More Expensive
Despite the similar or even identical ingredients, baby applesauce, and baby food in general, seems much more expensive than regular applesauce may be identical. If you’re not losing any goodness, buying regular unsweetened applesauce for your little one makes more sense.
Homemade Vs. Store-bought Applesauce
When your baby is starting with solids, you might be keen to give him all-natural foods and put a lot of energy into making homemade baby foods. Many tired moms with more than one little bundle of joy opt for store-bought organic, unsweetened applesauce, which is just as good. If it helps Mom cope, it’s worth every penny!Â
Fortunately, homemade applesauce is very easy to make. It’s not quite as easy as spooning it out of a jar, but still not too taxing. And it has the added benefit of you controlling precisely what goes into it—no funny stuff for your baby!Â
Here’s a simple method for making your baby’s applesauce at home:
- Buy some fresh, crisp, bruise-free apples. Apples are one of the fruits that hold the most pesticide residue, so organic ones are the best. One medium-sized apple will yield approximately five ounces of applesauce.
- Peel, core, and chop the apple, but it’s always a good idea to wash it beforehand – our food can never be too clean.
- Boil some water in a medium saucepan, cooking the apple chunks until soft. This could take about ten minutes. Keep tabs on it so the apples retain their vitamins and minerals.
- Drain the hot water and rinse the chunks with cold water to halt the cooking process.
- Depending on the consistency and texture you want, put the cooked apple through the blender or mash it with a fork or potato masher.
Your applesauce is now ready to feed to your little one. No additives, sugar or preservatives. It’s also a very versatile baby food because it is delicious alone or mixed with other foods. Here are some baby foods that go well with applesauce:
- Oatmeal and baby cereal
- Fruits such as pears, peaches, cherries, blueberries, plums, and bananas
- Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin
- Chicken
- Beef
- Full-fat Greek yogurt
You can refrigerate any leftovers or even freeze them in ice trays for a later date. It’s such a wonderful feeling when you can haul something ready-made out of the freezer!
Types Of Apples Suitable For Baby Applesauce
Choose the sweetest varieties, such as Royal Gala, Red Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Jonathan, and Jazz. Avoid the tart varieties like Granny Smith.Â
Applesauce And Baby Digestion
Babies transitioning from breastmilk or formula to solid food often suffer from mild constipation or diarrhea. Applesauce is an excellent baby food that helps to alleviate both conditions.
It is a binding food that firms up a runny stool. But it also contains pectin, a type of fiber that gets it all moving, making applesauce an excellent choice for tiny developing digestive systems.
In Closing
Aside from the brands of regular applesauce that contain unnecessary additives, there is very little difference between baby applesauce and regular applesauce. Sometimes the consistency is different, and often the baby applesauce is overpriced, but essentially it’s the same puree that will delight your baby.
Want to Make a delicious Applesauce Fireball Drink? See how here.
