Before you open a can of baby food for your bundle of joy, it's your job to make sure it contains nutritious ingredients. Whether you're feeding your baby an all-organic diet or you simply want to make sure he eats his vegetables, Gerber provides meal options tailored to each stage of your baby's growth.
History
In 1927, Daniel and Dorothy Gerber started making their own baby food for their baby daughter, according to the official Gerber website. The couple strained vegetables and fruit in their kitchen, then moved the operation to their canning company in Michigan. When workers at the canning company began asking for the baby food to give to their own children, the Gerbers started the Gerber Products Company.
NatureSelect 1st Foods Fruits
The Gerber official website recommends starting your baby on NatureSelect 1st Foods Fruits when your baby is ready to eat other solid foods besides cereal. Each package contains two servings of baby food. The prunes contain the highest number of calories, with 70 calories per serving. The prunes also contain no fat, 10 mg sodium, 19 0mg potassium, 2 g fiber, 10 g sugars, 190 mg potassium and 10 g sugar. The apples contain the lowest number of calories, with 40 calories per serving. Additionally, the apples contain no fat, 5 5mg potassium, 9 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber and 8 g sugars.
Organic 2nd Foods Vegetables
Gerber Organic 2nd Foods Vegetables baby food contains no preservatives, refined sugar, salt or starch. The sweet potatoes contain the highest calorie count, at 60 calories per serving. The sweet potatoes also contain 35 mg sodium, no fat, 220 mg potassium, 13 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 1 g protein and 8 g sugars. The vegetable baby food with the lowest calorie count is the carrots, which contain 30 calories per serving. The carrots also contain 85 mg sodium, no fat, 230 mg potassium, 7 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber and 5 g sugars.
Gerber NatureSelect 3rd Foods Dinners
Gerber NatureSelect 3rd Foods Dinners are developed for older babies who are learning to chew and mash up food on their own, notes the Gerber website. One jar contains one serving. The 3rd Foods Dinner with the highest calorie count is the spaghetti in tomato sauce with beef, with 180 calories. The meal also contains 3 g fat, 6 0mg sodium, 460 mg potassium, 32 g total carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 5 g protein and 13 g sugars. The dinner with the lowest calorie count is the chicken noodle with 120 calories. The chicken noodle dinner also contains 200 mg potassium, 45 mg sodium, 3 g total fat, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugars and 4 g protein.
Expert Insight
Gerber offers a variety of both organic and traditional baby foods. According to Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., in the article "Organic Baby Food: Is it Worth the Price?" there is no scientific proof that organic foods are more nutritious or safer for babies than nonorganic foods. Focus on giving your child a variety of healthy foods, whether you decide to give your baby organic foods or not, Hoeckner says.
