5 ways to use baby food after your baby turns one

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When Liam was a baby, I was all in on baby-led weaning. But when he wasn’t quite getting the hang of solid food like some of his friends, we found ourselves making a few visits with an occupational therapist. While I do love the premise of baby-led weaning and have learned some valuable tips for encouraging self-feeding in little ones, I also learned that it’s not a one-size-fits-all process. So when it came time to introduce solid food to Caleb, I embraced the baby food stage and did a little bit of both.

But does the baby food fun need to end now that he’s one?

(This post is sponsored by Beech-Nut® Naturals™. All opinions are completely my own.)

Nope! In fact, we still use baby food often around our house. I promise you that he’s getting plenty of regular food, too (and lots of it – he eats a ton!). But I’ll still often pick up some jars of Beech-Nut® Naturals™ whenever I’m at the grocery store. They are so helpful to have on hand.

I opted for this brand because it’s made with real fruits and vegetables, inspired by homemade. The ingredients are 100% natural with nothing artificial added. My favorite ones to buy are the “just” flavors, like Just Carrots and Just Pear & Blueberry. These have… you guessed it… only the fruits or veggies listed in the name. The fact that this real food for babies™ makes me totally confident in feeding it to Caleb – and sometimes even the rest of the family, too.

So here are several of the different ways we’re still using baby food around our house:

1. Straight from the jar.

Even now, at 18 months old, I love using baby food to supplement Caleb’s diet. He’s a pretty good eater, but tends to favor the same fruits and veggies all the time. He’ll down a jar of Beech-Nut® Naturals™ Just Spinach, Zucchini & Peas or Just Apple & Kale in no time flat and he’s getting in some green goodness he probably wouldn’t eat otherwise. It’s great as a snack or as part of a meal.

2. As a yogurt mix-in.

Caleb is dairy free (yay, food allergies). Our local grocery store carries several options for dairy-free yogurt, but I like to buy the plain, unsweetened coconut milk yogurt. It’s so easy to just add in a jar of baby food and mix it in with the yogurt. It’s kind of like buying an already flavored and sweetened yogurt at the store, but this way, you’re able to do it with less sugar than the typical fruit yogurts. Caleb’s favorite mix-in is Just Pear & Blueberry.

3. In smoothies.

Our family loves green smoothies around here. They’re packed with tons of fiber and nutrients and they’re so easy to make. I just throw everything into a blender and then we’re good to go. Adding a jar of Beech-Nut® Naturals™ allows me to add more of the good stuff without the extra prep work of slicing and dicing. New to smoothies? This is typically what goes into our favorite green smoothies:

1/2 frozen banana
1 cup almond milk, or more if desired
1-2 handfuls of fresh spinach
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 jar of Beech-Nut® Naturals™ Just Apple & Kale
1-2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp almond butter

4. Hidden in dinner.

This one is especially good for anyone of every age. The more savory flavors, like Beech-Nut® Naturals™ Just Carrots or Just Carrot, Corn & Pumpkin can easily be added to sauces and casseroles. The flavors go well with a main dish and the added nutrition is completely hidden. So if you don’t tell, I won’t either! It’s so simple to add a jar to sloppy joes, spaghetti sauce, taco meat or even in hamburger patties. I like to add them as a moisture/binding agent in my favorite veggie burger recipe.

5. As a baking substitute.

Baby food is a great substitute for eggs or oil in a recipe, like muffins or pancakes, and it’s something that everyone in the family can eat. Our family loves muffins because they’re so easy to grab and go. I usually make a batch before a road trip so that it’s a healthy breakfast or snack option while we’re away from home.

You can find some of our favorite recipes here:

Banana muffins (substitute oil for Just Apple & Kale)
Pumpkin muffins (substitute oil for Just Carrots or Just Apples)
Zucchini muffins (substitute melted butter for Just Sweet Potatoes)

Find out where you can buy Beech-Nut® Naturals™ for yourself by locating a retailer near you here, or simply look for the glass jars and green lids at your local grocery store. You can also order from Walmart or Target and have them shipped directly to your door. Already a fan? How do you use baby food after age one for your little?