I usually like to make my own baby food since it’s cheaper and I like that I can control exactly what goes in – or stays out – of my little one’s mouth. But occasionally due to traveling or busyness, I need a pre-made food I can rely on. So I went to my local supermarket and was a bit disturbed at what I found. The first ingredient on a jar of pureed peas? Not peas, as you might expect but water. And this was a nice organic brand too. So I’m paying up to $1.30 for a jar that is mostly water?? And I won’t tell you some of the other strange ingredients I found on the back of other jarred foods. So I set off to discover some organic pre-made baby food on par with the kind I would make myself. I’ll introduce you to my new four favorite time-savers over the next two weeks. First up today - Yummy Spoonfuls and Healthy Times.

Yummy Spoonfuls - Hands down my favorite of the bunch was Yummy Spoonfuls – a brand that definitely lives up to its namesake. What they have: organic ingredients, delicious, creative flavor combinations and a unique fluffy texture to their product. What they don’t have: salt, preservatives, dairy, gluten, additives, sugars or fillers. While pureed peas, pears and sweet potatoes are pretty common on the baby food menu, my taste buds and I were happy to discover Yummy Spoonfuls Mashed Sweet Potato, Carrot and Broccoli and Mashed Carrot, Potato and Parsnip. My little eater scarfed them down and I admit, I enjoyed a bite or two in between. The only downside? Availability. Right now Yummy Spoonfuls is mainly available in Georgia though an online shopping cart is set to be released at the end of this month. In the meantime, you can print off their mail-in order form to get your own 12-pack of Creamy Yummy and Mushy Yummy ($2 per 4oz container) and Chunky Yummy ($3 per 6oz. Container) delivered to your doorstep.

Healthy Times - Started in 1980, Healthy Times has definitely demonstrated its staying power in the baby food market. Healthy Times is the only jarred food of this bunch that made my top list for its competitive price (only $0.89 each), taste and portability (the other brands all require refrigeration). Unlike other jarred foods though, Healthy Times ensures that water is NEVER the first ingredient in their meals which are also free of soy, dairy, salt and other fillers. Owner and developer Rondi Prescott says, “My line is much different than any line out there because I don’t allow fillers (flour, tapioca, onion powder), never use water as a first ingredient and do not use mechanically separated meats.” And the proof is in the taste. Even their Country Apple contains a delicious combination of Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Gala apples. They also have a great selection of inventive combinations including Island Fruit Jumble, Aloha Mango Chicken and Raspberry Glazed Turkey. Healthy Times also produces a wide variety of infant and toddler cereals, teething bars and cookies which along with their baby food can be ordered online here or at select retailers nationwide.