Week 10: Cottage Cheese and Plums
Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese For Your Baby
Cottage cheese is a soft, unripened cheese and is low in fat and carbohydrates while high in protein. You do not want to buy the low fat version for your children and you probably want to stick with the regular version for you as well. The "full fat" version tastes much better and you have to eat much less of it to feel satisfied. Cottage cheese is a great way to transition to chunkier consistencies for baby without having to worry about choking. Also, you don't have to do anything to it - just serve it! If you don't like cottage cheese you should try different brands. We have found a great variety of flavors for different manufacturers of cottage cheese.
If your baby is at risk for food allergies, (for example: if they have eczema, asthma, allergies or if they have other family members with these conditions) then you should avoid all dairy products until your baby is at least one year old.
Recommended products for your baby:
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When is baby ready?
8 months old
How to buy
Buy the container that specifies "Cottage Cheese" not the one that says "Lowfat Cottage Cheese". This can be difficult to see. Also, check the expiration date.
Homemade Baby Food Recipe
There is nothing to do here. Just feed it to baby. (isn't that convenient?)
How to store
Keep in refrigerator for a week after opening.
Are there baby food jars?
No.
Should I buy organic?
It may be difficult to find organic cottage cheese. Look for brands without rBST (hormones).
Adult Recipe
Everybody has their favorite addition to cottage cheese. Since you are now keeping lots of fresh fruits around the house for baby - chop them up and add them to your cottage cheese for a healthy snack. Here are some suggestions:
Cinnamon
Apples
Pears
Cantaloupes
Pineapple
Blueberries
Peaches
Apricot
Plums
Raisins
Plums
Plums For Your Baby
Plums are another great fruit for baby that are best in the summer season. They are closely related to apricots and can be made into baby food from their dried form, prunes. There are dozens of varieties of plums and any will do for baby: black, red, green, purple and orange. Prunes are very sweet and also can be helpful if baby is constipated from all that rice cereal and bananas.
When is baby ready?
6 months old
To Buy
Look for ones that have no blemishes and that are not too soft to the touch.
Recommended products for your baby:
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Homemade Baby Food Recipe
Cut up in little bites. Depending on the state of your babies' teeth - you may have to peel them. If you would like to make prune baby food, it is easy to do. Buy pitted prunes, put in saucepan, and pour in water just to cover - simmer for 10-15 minutes and then puree or mash for baby.
How to store
Plums can be stored on the kitchen counter, at room temperature, and will ripen within a few days. You can refrigerate plums to slow down the ripening process.
Are there baby food jars?
Yes. Both plums and prunes can be found in baby food jars.
Should I buy organic?
Yes. These are thin skinned like peaches and nectarines so buy organic when possible.
Adult Recipe
We believe the best way to enjoy a plum is to find a good one and eat it. But, if you have too much fruit sitting on your counter then here is the fruit compote recipe adapted from Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything".
Fruit Compote
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
1 1/2 pounds mixed ripe fruit: berries, pitted apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, peeled bananas, pears, etc.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
a few tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Mix the sugar, water, and mint in a small saucepan and boil. Stir to dissolve sugar, if using mint then strain. Puree 1/2 of the fruit. Cut the rest into slices or pieces. Mix the puree with the fruit and add vanilla, sugar syrup, and lemon juice to taste.
Eating tip of the week
Try to eat the same food and at the same time as baby, as much as possible. By modeling healthy eating, your child will learn the best way to eat. Monkey see and monkey do!
Week #10 Shopping List
Baby Food
- cottage cheese (not lowfat)
- plums or prunes
Adult Food
- fruit to mix into cottage cheese
- sugar
- mint
- vanilla
