Unimpressed with Heinz

[sangie]

Gggggrrrrrrr don't get me started on this topic, makes me so angry that these companies are allowed to sell these products for such small babies...............I have often stopped to read the ingredients on some baby food jars and I can't believe how much crap is in them.

[nagromeyk]

Haydies - interesting thread you have started! I was just today in the supermarket, strolling down the isles and happened to notice the caramel custard you are talking about!

I have always been very wary of tinned baby products; I work in the fitness industry so always look at food labelling when I am shopping for myself and I intend on doing the exact same thing when I start my little man on solids. I have, in the past month or so been starting to take a closer look at labelling of baby food (just out of curiousity) and boy have I been shocked at the amount of crap as the "ingredients".

My opinion, I will be staying far, far away from processed foods. I will be creating all of his meals from scratch - my mind is made up and he isnt even born yet! hehe

There will always be the argument from some mothers that they "dont have the time". You cook food for yourself dont you? Cant be that hard to cook nutritious meals for bub too! Its called "time management" hehe..... as someone else said, people are just too niave to think that if it is on the shelf that it is ok. Its the same with baby Skin Products but yeah we wont go there, that can be another topic .... PMSL

I agree with Niliac - these companies do have to be far more accountable for the products they distribute. In saying that, regulation of products is where the problem lies..... they are the ones that need to step up their game!!

This is our future generation for crying out loud! Obesity levels are at stupendous levels NOW and if we continue to keep pumping these kind of products into our children Heart Disease and Diabetes will BY FAR take over and be the #1 killer of our precious children in the future..... when you really stop and think about it is VERY scary!

PS Jamie Oliver has created a series on the Lifestyle Food channel - called School Dinners (think its has been on FTA TV aswell?) where he is campaigning to have all processed food taken out of schools in Britain - he is so passionate about it - it is a brilliant series to watch!

[Becci]

I know guys I agree with you, well for the most part anyway.

I believe that custards do have a place in a childs diet, but I don't liket he idea of choc or custard ones though. If all the babies are having for their meal is custard then NO WAY!! But if they are having it after a decent meal, it's homemade, it's with some fruit and doesn't have any added sugar, then occasionally that's fine with me. We still have to make sure that they are getting enough calcium and custard is a good way to get it.

As for those who say they don't have time to cook baby food, often (not always) they are the ones that don't have time to cook their own dinner and opt for takeaway.

I made 95% of ds' food when he was a baby. I always stocked half a dozen cans in the pantry for emergencies, but they didn't get used often.

About juice. I don't understand why parents buy 'baby juice'. If your going to give you baby juice, then buy the no added sugar juices add water it down. That's all baby juice is anyway. And at least the adults can drink the rest and it's cheaper.
Ds probably drank too much juice for today's standards (he woulod have half his sipper cup of juice and then I would top it up with water). But the recommended amount was different 12 years ago. He only ever had 100% juice and it was with lunch. He still had unflavoured milk at other times (depending on his age and requirements) and plain water for the rest of the time.
Never did I taint his water with juice or worse, cordial because he didn't like it. Sure there are natural dislikes (I can't stand peas and I don't think htat's ever going to change) but often it's what the babies and kids have grown up with that forms their tastes.

Anyway enough of my rant lol!

[Cherie]

I have to agree with you Haydies. I had the same thoughts when Jambin was younger and I was browsing the baby food section. I couldn't believe that the chocolate and caramel and 'egg' custards were labelled for children as young as 6 months old.

I'll admit that I have made use of jarred baby food, however I predominantly choose ones that are 100% fruit or 100% vegetables (or both in the case of the Rafferty's Garden's ones). It's so easy to make custard anyway, that I can't really see the point in buying it.

[mummy of many]

Giving your child a tin of custard from time to time is not going to create an obese child,it`s not like your going to be force feeding them uh! Next time you reach for a glass of wine,or that yummy piece of chocolate,you might have to think twice before you eat it, oooh.....,you might just end up OBESE!!!! like with kids and adult all in moderation........ just my opinion.

[totalbabe77]

We have got a large scale advertising campaign coming up regarding 'best practice' infant nutrition..this will be released later in the year, but will explain the importance of starting single ingredient 1st foods, from 6 mths and that bubs don't actually need juice, dessert etc..that they are not 'everyday foods'..we hope that by taking the best for bubs approach we will be trusted by parents..although i fully expect we won't profit like perhaps we could.but being a mum i couldn't live with myself if we were profiting to bubs detriment..glad to hear from so many informed mums BTW

[Willow]

I do understand what you are saying and agree to a certain extent, but I really do think the ultimate responsibility lies with the parent - I just can't accept that people aren't informed enough (or choose not to inform themselves) about what's best for their babies??

Having said that - I think my DD ate one of those caramel custards once - shock horror!! Her grandmother had brought it for her for a treat, she was a lot older than 6 months (probably around one) and as a once off, I really didn't have a problem with it.

I make all of my own baby food, save for some items for convenience (single vegies or fruit mainly). I don't see a massive problem with a baby (albeit an older baby) eating custard every now and then.

As Mum of Many said, it's about balance and moderation. My kids eat the very best I can give them probably 98% of the time - I can live with the other 2%.

[MantaRay]

LM, you could try the ones that are in the refrigerated section - I think they are called Mother cubes or something like that. I have heard that they are fresh vegies without preservatives. I think also Rafferty's Garden are the same. In terms of jars, I would check all labels for salt and sugar content. Pick the ones with the lowest amount of both!!

Willow, I do wonder the same thing. I can only think that there are a lot of people who don't see MCHNs or the MCHNs aren't giving out info. Or if they are, it's not being understood. My friend is a dietician who worked with a program where they helped parents learn to shop for kids' food and make healthy lunches. It was amazing the difference it made. These mums really did not know what food was healthy, how to shop (read labels etc), etc. And once they were shown, they were really grateful and implemented the changes. So I definitely think there are people in our communities who have somehow missed out on this basic info. And if all they have to go on is misleading advertising and labelling, then they are sadly not going to be making the right choices.

[Bathsheba]

Great discussion! I agree Haydies: caramel and chocolate are not appropriate for a 6 month old.

Single finger typing (BFing) will add more when I can...

[Willow]

MR - that sounds like a great program. Don't get me wrong, my children's diets aren't perfect and I'm sure I could use a few pointers from a dietician myself! But I think on a basic level, I'm getting it pretty right (I hope )

[MantaRay]

Don't get me wrong, my children's diets aren't perfect and I'm sure I could use a few pointers from a dietician myself! But I think on a basic level, I'm getting it pretty right.

LOL Willow, I think that describes most of us!! I am sure none of are getting it 100% right! Even if there is such a thing as 100% right!!