Homemade Baby Food and Raw Purées Using the PURE Juicer
In search of homemade baby food and raw purees? We’ve got you covered! The PURE Juicer was named one of the best cold-press juicers by Good Housekeeping, and it was also an all-in-one appliance capable of producing all kinds of delicious homeground food. Purées have never been so easy to make. (Pro tip: take a peek at the PURE Juicer manual for a comprehensive list of creative ways to use the juicer.)
Why Raw?
Eating unprocessed food has become quite popular over the last few years, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider the nutrients in whole foods. Many people also enjoy eating foods raw–unpasteurized, untreated, and unrefined in any way, never heated above 104°F. “Raw foods are better quality, therefore you eat less to satisfy your nutritional needs,” says Nicole Malik, vegan author and creator of VegKitchen. “The heat of cooking depletes vitamins, damages proteins and fats, and destroys enzymes which benefit digestion.”
Why Purée?
Purées are soft and easy to eat, especially when you are eating fruits and vegetables raw. Purées are nutrient-rich and great to eat on their own or to add to soups. Making your own purées to use as baby food is also a way to introduce different flavors and spices to babies. Note: any leftover puree you don’t want to eat can be wrapped and pressed into juice (except for nuts and bananas).
Homemade Raw Purée Tips from Our Favorite PURE Juicer Owners
Mimi Kirk, raw/plant-based chef, coach, and best-selling cookbook author, who was 84 years old when we spoke, says some moms feed their infants homemade pureed raw fruits and vegetables. Some babies, however, prefer to have their purées slightly warmed, at the temperature they might take a bottle. She says to let your baby be your guide on what works best.
Karyn Calabrese, famed raw food restaurateur, who has been a raw vegan for 40+ years, recommends pureed raw fruits and vegetables as a staple of an adult diet. She adds it’s also okay to cook sweet potatoes, which retain their nutritional value, unlike white potatoes.
Personal chef Kim Burrell says “Making your own baby food in the PURE juicer is almost as quick and easy as opening a jar of store bought baby food. However, you are in control of the combination and quality of ingredients!”
She adds this method can also be handy for people who have dentures or missing teeth. Puréed food can also be easier to eat for anyone who finds chewing difficult.
Purées Using the PURE Juicer Chute
For our test kitchen, we used recipes from holistic nutritionist Brittany Mullins of Eating Bird Food (EBF) – see below for the wide range of flavor combos we produced and visit her website for detailed recipes.
We recommend a #3 grid for smooth purées and a #4 or higher for kale, nuts, and everything you’d like to have a chunkier texture. Typically we leave seeds in our fruits (mainly apple seeds) before pressing and grinding, but for baby food we made sure to remove them.
Purées from Our Test Kitchen
- Pear-Peach
- Asparagus-Apple
- Sweet potato-Apple-Cinnamon
- Avocado-Peach-Pineapple-Kale
- Pineapple-Mango
- Blueberry-Banana-Quinoa-Flax
- Peanut butter
Link to recipes by Eating Bird Food
Nutrition Notes
apples: nutrient dense and high in soluble fiber, apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols.
asparagus: low in calories and packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
avocado: highly nutritious, avocados are rich in fiber, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate.
bananas: containing many essential nutrients, bananas are rich in soluble fiber and resistant starch.
blueberries: low in calories but high in fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, blueberries are thought to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables.
cinnamon: a fragrant spice that adds warmth to sweet potato and apple purées.
flax: a good source of nutrients including protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, and copper.
mangoes: high in Vitamin C and fiber. Mangoes are also high in Vitamin B6.
kale: one of the most nutrient-dense foods around, kale is extremely low in calories but has a vast amount of nutrients ranging from vitamin A to magnesium. A single cup can contain up to almost 7 times the amount of the daily recommendation for vitamin K, a compound vital for blood clotting.
peaches: a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C, polyphenols and carotenoids.
pears: known for their high fiber content, pears are also packed with vitamins C and K and copper.
peanuts: a low-glycemic food, peanuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
pineapples: delicious and packed with antioxidants, pineapples are a rich source of Vitamin C, manganese, and the compound bromelain, a group of digestive enzymes.
quinoa: a seed that is treated like a grain, quinoa offers a number of important nutrients, including folate, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Quinoa is also rich in fiber and protein.
sweet potatoes: a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, sweet potatoes are also rich in antioxidants. Sweet potatoes get their bright orange color from beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.
Sources
8 Impressive Health Benefits of Apples
Top 7 Health Benefits of Asparagus
7 Potential Health Benefits of Avocado
10 Proven Health Benefits of Blueberries
The Top 9 Health Benefits of Flaxseed
Mangoes 101: Nutrition, Benefits, Types, and More
All the Health Benefits of Eating Peaches
9 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Pears
Pineapple: 8 Impressive Health Benefits
8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Quinoa
6 Surprising Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Medical Disclaimer
PURE is not a medical practice. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you have a health condition or take medication.