Fresh versus jars

Thanks for that. It's good to know. I think sometimes you can get a bit railroaded into the easy option. I must admit my child, who is now 5 years old loves his vegetables, especially brocolli, runner beans and brussels. I am so pleased with him for continuing to enjoy eating healthily. I find when he has friends for tea I end up cooking something else for most of them because they do not eat many vegetables, but will not compromise on my son's food. He actualy feels quite proud that he likes the vegetables his friends don't. He says he is eating like an adult!!

Fresh is best all the time. I weaned my firat child using jars. What a mistake! He wouldn't eat "normal" food for ages and still is a fussy eater now aged 8 years. With my second child he never had a jar. He had a much wider food range now age 6 (although he did go though a toddler fussy stage). Now with my third I am again cooking and freezing all his food. I am being a bit more adventurous using the Annabel Karmel recipe book to make sure he gets all the nutrients he needs. I am also getting the older boys to try the recipies to widen their food range and it is goung well. It has also renuwed my love for cooking.

When I had my first child I pureed vegetables eg carrots, swede, squash, sweet potatos and froze them in ice cube trays. I then transferred these into tuperware boxes so that I could use them as and when necessary. I noticed on the jars of food you get from the supermarket that there was obviously a lot more ingredients in most of them as well as just the vegetables etc. Did this mean my child was missing out on anything or would you agree that fresh/pure is definitely best. I intend doing the same thing when I have my second child but just wanted the reasurance that what I am doing is better for them.