Banana Puree (2024)

FAQs

Is banana puree healthy? ›

Nutrition: Packed with potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, banana puree provides a well-rounded dose of essential nutrients for your baby's overall health and development.

Banana Puree refers to bananas that have been processed into a soft paste or thick liquid. The processing can be done using a potato masher, blender or simply by pressing the bananas (ripe would be easier to press) through a strainer. It is commonly used as a first food by most mothers.

The process consists in peeling and pulping the bananas, and after addition of organic acids, such as ascorbic acid, the pulp is subjected to a heat treatment, thus obtaining a stable product. Puree can be consumed alone or as an ingredient in food formulations.

Fresh banana baby food should be stored in the fridge and used within 3-4 days. For longer storage, I recommend freezing the puree! I like using silicone ice cube tray or freezer safe jars because they make it easier to thaw smaller amounts for serving to babies.

Plantain or Banana Puree

Both of these fruits offer a variety of nutrients, including fiber for healthy digestion, potassium for blood function and antioxidant vitamin C. Parent tip: Make your own easy banana puree by peeling, slicing and then mashing the fruit with a fork.

Though bananas are higher in carbs and sugars than some foods, they also contain fiber and resistant starch that slows down the digestion and release of sugar into your bloodstream. These qualities make bananas a healthy, go-to snack for people with diabetes.

Fruit Purees and Health

It may offer slightly more calories than normal fruit as it is more concentrated, but the amount of vitamins, minerals and beneficial nutrients is the same. Fruit purees, as well as fruit, also offer antioxidants that can help boost the immune system and help limit cell damage within the body.

Oxidation. Browning (or oxidation) occurs when the cut surfaces of fruits and vegetables are exposed to oxygen or air. The puréed aspect of baby food speeds up the discoloration because it creates more surface area.

You can give babies mashed banana as soon as they start eating solid foods, usually around 6 months. Bananas are a popular first food for a reason – their natural sweetness makes them a favorite for babies while their versatility offers a perfect grab-and-go snack option.

How do you preserve banana puree? ›

By adding a few drops citrus juice like lemon, lime or orange juice to the puree to prevent the oxidation. Normally, citrus juices are not recommended to be given to babies but a few drops in their food should pose no harm.

Banana puree is one of the best first foods for baby and no cooking required! Introducing your baby to solid food is not just about teaching her to swallow food from a spoon, it's also getting her excited about mealtime.

Place baby food purees in the fridge and use them within these recommended time frames to keep them fresh: Fruits and veggie purees: 2 to 3 days. Meat purees: 1 day.

Tips for Making the Best Banana Puree

To store, place into small airtight storage containers and store in the fridge. To freeze, place into an ice cube tray, freeze, then transfer frozen cubes to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in an airtight container in the fridge.

15 minutes in the kitchen from start to finish yields quite a few containers that I can refrigerate, freeze, or use immediately. It's a time saver! I portion out my purees into mini BPA-free containers like these (I never was one for those baby food cube makers; I hate gripping the frozen cubes out and thawing them.

New Research Reveals Why You Shouldn't Add a Banana to Your Smoothies. Researchers have found that the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in certain fruits like bananas can reduce the absorption of heart-healthy flavanols, especially when combined with flavanol-rich ingredients like berries.

Yes. Bananas are packed with carbohydrates to energize the body and essential nutrients that babies need to thrive, like folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. Together these nutrients support the nervous system, skin health, iron absorption, and blood pressure.

They can help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.

One major benefit of eating boiled bananas is that it may encourage you to choose underripe, green bananas, which have many health benefits. These include reducing the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

While they may seem healthy at first glance, banana chips can be loaded with calories, saturated fat, and added sugar. For a healthier alternative, look for dehydrated, non-fried banana chips made without added sugar. Better yet, choose a whole banana.