Ruth's Blog

Ruth Yaron, Super Baby Food Author, Weighs in on the Arsenic Levels In Rice Issue

By: claudine | September 27, 2012 | Comment

Recently, rice has been found to contain arsenic.  There is plenty of information online, and you’ll find that the amount of arsenic in different types of rice varies greatly.  Although doctors on TV and other sources have been telling us it’s still OK to still eat rice, why take the chance–especially with our babies!    I recommend not eating any rice when there are so many other whole grains available.  That goes for any foods containing rice–infant cereal, breakfast cereal, brown rice syrup, cooked rice, granola with rice, rice milk, etc.–read the ingredients list on the label.

A healthy diet is about variety.  Just as babies (and adults) should eat a variety of organic fruits and veggies to help ensure we get a vast array of nutrients, we should eat a variety of organic whole grains and legumes (beans, peas, lentils).  You shouldn’t feed carrots, and only carrots. to your baby for veggies and you shouldn’t feed only brown rice for whole grains.

The Super Baby Food Diet is about eating a vast array of healthy organic whole foods.  Quinoa, millet, and oats are other super whole grains recommended for Super Porridge, as well as those listed in the Super Baby Book on page 222. Page 235 has a list of legumes.  On page 215, see my tips for mixing several whole grains and legumes together to ensure your baby will have a variety of these foods in their high-protein Super Porridge (2 parts grains + 1 part legumes).  Make Super Porridge even more healthy by sprinkling freshly-ground seeds and nuts (if your baby has no allergies) into cooked Super Porridge.  (Freshly-ground immediately before feeding because once seeds and nuts are cracked open, their super healthy oils/fats start becoming rancid.)  See Page 135 for a list of seeds and nuts.  If you can’t find these foods in your supermarket, visit your local natural foods store.  You can also find these foods online; you’ll have to pay shipping, but you might find it’s worth it when you consider your time and energy, since you don’t have to use gas and bundle up baby or get a sitter.  (I always buy from www.BreadBeckers.com, a website you can trust for only the highest quality foods.)  You may even want to join a food coop to buy in bulk and save $.

Parents who are concerned because they have been feeding large amounts of brown rice to their babies should talk with their pediatricians.  Rice is one of the grains that is gluten-free, therefore many people might be eating it frequently.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has information about arsenic at http://www.aap.org; search for “arsenic.”  We should expect more information about arsenic in rice as more studies are completed.

Phytonutrients Uncovered and Discovered!

By: Ruth | March 18, 2012 | Comment

In a recent blog post, Ruth answered a question about feeding raw parsley to baby where she mentioned phytonutrients.  When it comes to phytonutrients (organic components of plants…thought to promote human health – thanks for the definition, WebMD!), which get destroyed during cooking, she mentions that it is better to use raw or steamed greens. Always remember to check the age-appropriateness of raw foods for your baby, though.  As Ruth mentioned with parsley – no raw parsley until baby is 9 months old!

Phytonutrients are the big thing now that have been discovered and proven in studies to really be good for you, although not all are “essential” for life. They are the plant nutrients that you may have been hearing about – lutein, lycopene, etc.. The supplement manufactures have jumped in head first and there are now lots of pills with phytonutrients, but don’t use the supplements. Use real whole food, which will have the entire realm of related phytonutrients in the proper proportions.

There’s lots of info on the net, but use only trusted sites that use scientifically proven info. Here’s a page you can trust: http://www.ars.usda.gov/aboutus/docs.htm?docid=4142   You are sure to hear more about phytonutrients from us in the near future!

Parsley is a Super Baby Food!

By: Ruth | March 7, 2012 | Comments(2)

We love when Moms ask Ruth questions because (1) the questions are always so great and (2) we feel that that for every question asked, thousands of other parents have the same question and will have their question answered! A mom recently asked the following question to Ruth about parsley.

Moms asks:

Hi Ruth. My son is almost 8 mos. old. I’m reading your chapter (in Super Baby Food) about what to feed at 8mos and love the idea of throwing some cooked parsley in the mix, but I’m confused. You say that at 8 months they should only eat cooked parsley, but you also say that cooked parsley tastes bitter. Do you think the cooked parsley mixed with something sweet, like sweet potato will mask the bitterness?
Or should I wait until he can eat it raw? Thanks.

Ruth says:

Absolutely you could mix the cooked parsley in with sweet potatoes and other things he likes to decrease bitterness. However, he can eat it raw soon (by 9 months) but you have to be careful to wash it thoroughly, as with all raw produce, because his little immune system is still immature. I wouldn’t use a microwave – steam it instead.

Here is more interesting information:

Within the last few weeks I read where microwave ovens destroy more of some phytonutrients than steaming. Organic produce is best and is definitely worth the extra dollars in my opinion because babies don’t eat too much and pesticides get concentrated in their little bodies since they eat lots of food for their little sizes.  Make sure it has the certified organic symbol.

I’m finding out that raw parsley is up there with kale, maybe even better, and you know how I adore kale if you read my section in Super Baby Food on Super Greens. AND now the AAP says spices (super sources of phytonutrients) are OK for babies starting around 6 months. Don’t use imported spices which may contain heavy metals. Frontier is a nice organic brand you can trust.

Super Baby Food Black Friday Giveaway – Win Book, Toys R Us Gift Cards

By: Ruth | November 23, 2011 | Comment

Super Baby Food wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

In keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving and of course, the tradition of Black Friday, Super Baby Food is running a contest on its Facebook page on Black Friday.  We are going to give away a copy of Super Baby Food and a Toys R Us gift card to FIVE winners.

To enter, simply respond to the question we post on our Facebook Page Friday Morning.  The good news is, there is no incorrect answer – all answers are correct!  We will announce the five winners on our Facebook Page on Saturday morning.  Take advantage of this contest to jump-start to your holiday shopping!

PS.  Don’t forget to watch Ruth Yaron on the Martha Stewart Show, Tuesday, 11/28 at 10 est on the Hallmark Channel!

I Know We Don’t Like To Talk About It But…Here Are Some Thoughts On Baby Diarrhea

By: Ruth | October 14, 2011 | Comment

A Facebook Fan wrote to Ruth requesting information for her baby struggling with baby diarrhea.  We thought it might also be useful to our blog readers, too:

A Super Baby Food Mom asks:

I’ve read your book and it’s very interesting.  I’ve learned many things for my baby (she is 1 and 3 months)…We have a problem with diarrhea…can you tell me some ideas for food against diarrhea?  Thank you very much!

Ruth Says:

I don’t mean to worry you, but diarrhea can be dangerous to a baby. Babies get easily dehydrated. Is your pediatrician aware of this? Please be sure to discuss this with your baby healthcare provider.

Things that keep poop moving well are fiber and water. Apples and pears have the soluble fiber pectin. Oats have both soluble and unsoluble fiber. Lentils are good too. I would suggest feeding her oatmeal, lentils, and apples or pears and giving her a few tablespoons of pure water in a cup with each meal of solid foods. Watch carefully for signs of dehydration– http://pedialyte.com/ talks about dehydration in children.

Be sure to ask Ruth your questions through the SuperBabyFood site.