Avocados are a nutritious first food for babies. They are full of healthy fats, fiber, folate and more. However, avocados tend to spoil quickly after being cut open. Properly storing cut avocado is important to keep it fresh for homemade baby food. Here are some tips on how to store avocado for baby food.
Should You Freeze Avocado for Baby Food?
Freezing is not recommended for avocados. When frozen, the delicate flesh of the avocado tends to become watery and stringy once thawed. The texture changes make it less ideal for a smooth baby food purée. It’s best to only freeze ripe avocado in smoothies, where the texture change won’t be as noticeable.
Storing Fresh Avocado in the Refrigerator
Refrigeration can slow down the browning process and extend the life of fresh avocado flesh for a few days. Here are some tips for fridge storage:
- Leave the pit in the avocado half while storing in the fridge. The pit helps keep air from reaching the flesh and oxidizing/browning it.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the exposed avocado flesh. This prevents oxygen from reaching it.
- Use an airtight container if you remove the pit. The plastic wrap method also works in a container.
- Squeeze some lemon or lime juice onto the exposed flesh. The citric acid slows down oxidation.
- Store for 2-3 days maximum in the refrigerator.
Freezing Puréed Avocado
While freezing avocado chunks is not ideal, you can freeze homemade puréed baby food. Here are some tips:
- Only freeze very ripe avocados. The ripeness makes for a better texture.
- Purée the avocado flesh in a food processor, mixer or with a fork.
- Mix in a little lemon or lime juice, which will help maintain the green color.
- Pack into an airtight freezer container or bags.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thawing and Using Frozen Avocado Purée
Thaw the frozen avocado purée in the refrigerator overnight before using. To use, you can:
- Mash up the thawed purée with a fork until smooth and use as is.
- Blend or process again if there are any chunks after thawing.
- Mix into other foods like yoghurt or cereal.
- Stir into pureed cooked vegetables or fruits.
The thawed avocado tends to oxidize quickly, so use within 1-2 days for best flavor and color.
Ripening Avocados to Store for Baby Food
Timing the perfect ripeness of an avocado can be tricky. Here are some tips if you need to ripen an avocado to store for baby food:
- Leave unripe avocados at room temperature to ripen. Avoid refrigerating unripe avocados as it can stop the ripening process.
- To speed up ripening, keep avocados in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas from the other fruits will hasten ripening.
- Expect a hard, unripe avocado to take around 4-5 days to ripen at room temperature.
- Avoid using overly ripe avocados that are brown or mushy internally. The taste and nutrition declines at this stage.
- When ripe, store the avocados in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Checking Avocado Ripeness
These are ways to assess if an avocado is ripe and ready to use for baby food:
- The flesh should yield to gentle pressure but still have some firmness.
- The color darkens from green to purplish-black as it ripens.
- A ripe avocado will feel slightly heavy for its size.
- The stem comes off easily and cleanly with a gentle twist.
- The flesh is greenish-yellow in color without brown spots.
- Unripe avocados have very hard flesh that does not yield to pressure.
Using these simple methods, you can select avocados at the perfect stage of ripeness to store and use for homemade baby foods.
Homemade Avocado Baby Food Recipes
Once you have stored and ripened avocados properly, they are ready to use in homemade baby foods. Here are some healthy and tasty recipe ideas:
Simple Mashed Avocado
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1-2 tbsp breastmilk, formula, or water
Instructions:
- Scoop out the flesh of the avocado into a bowl.
- Mash with a fork until mostly smooth with some small chunks.
- Mix in a little breastmilk, formula, or water to reach desired consistency.
- Use immediately or store leftover in fridge for 24 hours.
Avocado Banana Mash
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 ripe banana
- 1-2 tbsp breastmilk, formula, or water
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mash the avocado and banana together with a fork.
- Mix in breastmilk, formula, or water until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately and refrigerate leftovers.
Avocado Yogurt
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 tbsp breastmilk or water
Instructions:
- Scoop out the avocado flesh into a bowl.
- Mash with a fork or blender for a smoother texture.
- Add the yogurt and breastmilk or water.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Avocado Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
- 1-2 tbsp breastmilk, formula, or water
Instructions:
- Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl.
- Mash with a fork until mostly smooth.
- Add the oatmeal and mix thoroughly.
- Stir in the breastmilk, formula or water until desired consistency.
- Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.
Feeding Avocado to Babies
Here are some tips for first avocado feedings:
- Start with 1-2 tablespoons of mashed avocado on its own.
- Offer with a spoon once baby is eating purées without pushing food out of their mouth.
- Watch for signs of allergy like swelling or rash. Discontinue if any reaction.
- If tolerated, slowly increase portion size as baby’s appetite grows.
- Combine with other foods once single ingredient is tolerated.
Avocado allergies in babies are very rare. Most babies enjoy the creamy flavor and texture of avocado as one of their early foods.
Avocado Nutrition for Babies
Here are some of the main nutrients found in avocados:
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy fats | 15g | Supports brain and eye development |
| Fiber | 7g | Aids digestion |
| Folate | 81mcg | Essential for cell growth |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | Boosts immunity |
| Vitamin K | 21mcg | Important for blood clotting |
| Potassium | 485mg | Supports muscle and nerve function |
Avocados provide an excellent source of monounsaturated fats and key nutrients for growing babies. They have a mild flavor that babies can easily accept.
Avocado Precautions for Babies
There are a few precautions to keep in mind when feeding avocado:
- Don’t give to babies under 4 months old due to choking risk.
- Introduce one at a time to check for allergic reaction.
- Avoid honey or seasonings until age 1.
- Don’t give avocado if constipated as it can make it worse.
- Cut into very small pieces to lower choking hazard.
- Discard any uneaten portion to prevent spoilage.
Identifying Avocado Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions to avocado are rare in babies but can occur. Here are potential symptoms to watch for:
- Red, itchy skin rash
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue
- Runny nose, watery eyes
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Wheezing, coughing, breathing issues
- Fussiness, colic symptoms after feeding
Discontinue avocado immediately if any concerning symptoms appear and consult a pediatrician if severe. Otherwise, avocado is a well-tolerated, nutritious food for most babies.
Uses for Overripe Avocados
Once an avocado surpasses its prime ripeness, it may become too brown and mushy for use in baby food. If an avocado seems past its peak, here are some alternative uses:
- Use in a hair mask or face mask. Avocado is hydrating for skin and hair.
- Add to a smoothie or shake. The flavor will be masked.
- Make an avocado chocolate mousse or pudding.
- Use as a substitute for butter or oil when baking.
- Mash and use as a sandwich spread.
- Puree into a salad dressing in place of oil.
Overripe avocados don’t need to go to waste. Keep these ideas in mind if you end up with some less-than-perfect avocados.
FAQs
Can you freeze mashed avocado for baby food?
Yes, mashed avocado can be frozen for baby food. Purée the flesh until smooth, mix in a bit of lemon juice, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
How long can you refrigerate cut avocado?
Cut avocado flesh will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days maximum. Store cut side down and press plastic wrap onto the surface. The pit can also be left in to help slow oxidation.
What’s the best way to ripen avocados faster?
To ripen avocados quickly, store them in a brown paper bag together with a banana or apple at room temperature. The ethylene gas from the fruit speeds up the ripening process.
Can babies be allergic to avocado?
Yes, avocado allergy is possible in babies but very uncommon. If any concerning symptoms appear like swelling or vomiting, discontinue feeding and see a doctor. Most babies tolerate avocado well.
At what age can babies eat avocado?
Avocados are generally considered safe to introduce around 6 months of age. Wait until 4-6 months for most babies. Check with your pediatrician if you have concerns.
Conclusion
Avocados are a nutritious first food to introduce to most babies around 6 months of age.Choose ripe avocados and store them properly in the fridge or freezer to retain the freshness. Use prepared avocado within 1-2 days for the best quality. Combine mashed avocado with breastmilk, formula, or water for an easy homemade baby food. Monitor for potential allergy symptoms which are very rare. Overripe avocados can also be repurposed for hair, skin or cooking. With proper storage and handling, avocados can be an excellent addition to baby’s early diet.
