Earth's Best Baby Food
Written: Oct 05 '99 (Updated Jun 22 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 100% natural with appetizing combinations that even I could enjoy.
Cons: Can be more expensive but the prices and promotions are becoming more competitive
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| forkids's Full Review: Earths Best First Baby Foods |
My absolute first choice in children’s baby food is Earth’s Best and after quite a few trials with other brands let me tell you why I chose this brand over some others, I did buy some of the Gerber 1st foods but spent the majority of my baby food dollars with this brand.
My pediatrician had given me a feeding schedule when my son was about six months old. This feeding schedule was a suggested list of ‘solid’ foods to introduce one by one. He was supposed to try everything on the list and I was to note reactions to any of them. I went grocery shopping immediately and put jar upon tiny jar into my grocery basket. I started with meat – beef, lamb, pork, and chicken.
I got them home and started with lamb. I got my small dollop ready and Oh my Goodness! Awful, It smelled awful! I threw that first jar away thinking "food poisoning". I opened the next jar. One whiff and it, too, hit the trashcan. These were jars from Gerber, which I had grown up with. I couldn't feed my son, for the first time, something that smelled so bad I wouldn't offer it to a dog. I returned everything else and switched brands to Earth's Best.
There were no evil smells and all of their offerings were 100% organic, meaning no pesticides are used and no antibiotics/steroids in the meats.
There are no hidden sugars, salts, or starches "tapioca". Nothing is made from concentrate only whole grains.
Beginner Food or First Foods (http://www.earthsbest.com/products_puree.html)
These are smaller jars and should be tested one by one, that’s why these are not combination offerings. I was very happy with the variety but would still recommend pouring in small amounts so you can determine how much you baby can digest in one sitting. By doing this you will avoid throwing the product away from spoon contamination.
•First Carrots
•First Sweet Potatoes
•First Peas
•First Apples
•First Bananas
•First Pears
There was not one problem with any of the above offerings. Bananas were a favorite with apples a close second. I did supplement my collection with some Gerber bottles for more variety, like straight peaches, not offered here. Their ingredients are all natural with water added in some instances to make the product more pliable.
In their grain line they offer: (http://www.earthsbest.com/products_cereal.html)
• Whole Grain Rice Cereal
• Whole Grain Multi-Grain Cereal
• Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal
Each of these cereals was sampled and tried. My son liked all but the multi-grain, which is a mixture of rice, oats and millet. He preferred the rice cereal the most because of how bland it was.
The nutritional values and exact ingredients can be accessed from the above link.
Juices
Pear juice and Apple juice are offered but I skipped these from an economics standpoint. I went with the Knudsen brand of juices because they are organic, offered more variety, and came in family size jars.
Vegetables, Fruits, and Combinations (http://www.earthsbest.com/products_veggies.html)
The full listing is provided with the link but I was thoroughly impressed by how many products they have to choose from and at the time, they were the only ones who could offer these like:
• Apples & Apricots
• Apples & Bananas
• Apples & Blueberries
• Apples & Plums
The apples and plums were perfect for those days when your child’s bowels needed a little nudge. Most other brands just offered plain plums, which is not as palatable.
Breakfasts and Dinners (http://www.earthsbest.com/products_breakfastdinners.html)
Here is where the offerings get much more interesting and very healthy. In some instances you will be getting more nutrients in the jar than you bargained for. For example:
Pasta Dinner
Ingredients: Water, Organically Grown Whole Wheat Pasta (Whole Wheat Flour), Tomato Puree, Garbanzo Beans, Green Beans, Carrots, Onions, Canola Oil, Garlic Powder, and Basil.
Potato and Green Bean Dinner
Ingredients: Water, Organically Grown Green Beans, Potatoes, Carrots, Corn, Cheddar Cheese* (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Enzymes), Brown Rice.
Our favorite:Sweet Potato and Chicken Dinner
Chunky Blends for Older Babies (http://www.earthsbest.com/products_chunky.html)
Be careful with these. I had to slowly introduce these because he gagged on the bigger chunks at first. These are recommended for babies 9 mos. +. They also come in a larger jar.
Teething biscuits and whole grain bars are also available which I tried once or twice with no great impression. A piece of frozen bagel became our teething biscuit and my son did not particularly enjoy grain bars of any brand.
This is a very health-wise brand and one I trust completely! Sign up for their newsletter before your child is ready for solids to take advantage of the coupons. There is a coupon or two in every newsletter but it pays to start early. Sign up here for the newsletter: (http://www.earthsbest.com/newsletter.cfm)
When I signed up the first time, I received a free bowl with the Earth’s Best Logo. My sister-in-law got a free bib, which I still use. I did not see any freebies offered in their latest promotional offering.
When I first started buying this brand I had to go to Whole Foods Market. Now, it is available at Safeway and many other major chains. Check here for a store near you: (http://www.earthsbest.com/store_locator.cfm)
Earth’s Best can be more expensive than other brands and it pays to buy on promotion. I have found that some stores will offer you a discount if you buy in larger multiples, not just a jar at a time.
I was 100% impressed by this organic product and I really felt like I got my kids off on the right nutritional start. Pay close attention to ingredients and you will find that Earth’s Best really is the most natural and not just on bananas and apples.
Important note: What may have worked for my child may not be the same for other babies, always consult your pediatrician before starting your child on a solids feeding schedule.
Recommended:
Yes
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forkids
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Location: The Burbs of Washington, DC
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