Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Parents find baby food pouches convenient, but they may hinder eating skills.
- Dietitian Katy Bodily warns some pouches can lack nutrients and promote excessive sugar intake.
- Springville mom Camilia Lund emphasizes balance, choosing whole foods over frequent pouch use.
SALT LAKE CITY — They're a popular snack for kids, and many parents say baby food pouches are great if you're on the go.
"They come in handy. It's really easy to grab," said Springville mom Camilia Lund.
But that convenience can come at a cost.
"Products like food pouches tend to be easy and convenient, but they sometimes rob kids of the experience of learning how to eat," Katy Bodily, a registered dietitian at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi said.
Sales of food pouches have increased by 900 percent since 2010. Bodily noted if your child's diet is mainly pureed food pouches, they miss out on learning important motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
And of course, there's the nutrition component — food pouches often lack essential nutrients and contain excessive sugar.
"There's only so much that can be blended into a pouch, right? Whole foods are going to be a better option nutritionally because of the protein, fiber or overall variety that eating whole foods offers," Bodily said.
Lund, a mother of four, said she used to rely heavily on pouches, but now focuses on feeding her kids more whole foods.
"I'm a big fan of balance," she said. "I still have them; I still buy them. But I've just cut down a lot on how often I give them."
Lund likes pairing proteins, like peanut butter, with fruit to give to her kids as snacks. "They need to be chewing. It's way better for your digestion and actually for your teeth, and saves money down the road. It's way cheaper to eat an apple."
If you do buy pouches, Bodily recommends looking for ones that have a protein component, and watch out for added sugars.
"Even if the nutrition label doesn't flat out say that it contains sugar, it contains a form of sugar, such as fruit," she said. "There is definitely room for pouches in a family's diet. When you do have to utilize pouches, though, it's important to be mindful of which pouch you're choosing."
