Yikes, Doctors Say You’re Giving Your Kids Too Many Food Pouches

When you have a toddler, it can be hard to figure out whether or not they’re eating enough. And whether or not they’re eating the right food. Since so many of them can be picky eaters (and you can’t dice up chicken nuggets for three meals a day), food pouches are almost like a gift from heaven. Baby and toddler food has come a long way since a few decades back, and pouches often find a fun, healthy combo of veggies that your kids can’t get enough of. Plus, they’re portable, meaning less work for Mom and Dad. So, it’s a shame that doctors are saying parents need to cut back on them. Let us explain.

The New York Times reports that food pouches might lead to bad eating habits. The brand itself doesn’t matter as much as the design. They write that per the Nielsen’s Total Food View, baby food pouches make up a whopping 25% of all baby foods sold in America. Some pouches are geared toward babies who are trying their first non-milk solid foods, while others are perfect for toddlers and bigger kids who are hungry and are looking for a convenient snack.

For parents, they seem perfect — popular purees often include spinach, pumpkin, beets, carrots, mango, apples, and often vegetables you might not have ever been exposed to yourself.

For example, Once Upon A Farm — which manufactures pouches for kids of all ages — has one option for toddlers that’s a blueberry rosemary combo. When was the last time you tried those two together?

So, what’s the harm, really? According to some experts, the snack might be too easy. Since parents are quick to hand them over, there’s a fear that it’ll lead to excessive snacking and overeating.

One doctor even stated that since the foods aren’t in their actual form, it might lead to problems down the road. For example, even if the pouch contains greens, it’s common for a sweet fruit like apple to block out those flavors. So while they’re technically exposed to power veggies like kale, their taste buds aren’t.

“Kids need the taste of what the actual food is to come to like it later,” Dr. Natalie Muth, a pediatrician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, commented to The New York Times.

Should parents become worried? Probably not. Just remember that with everything, snacks like these are good in moderation. It’s great to have some pouches while out on the road, but perhaps at the dinner table, they’ll be better off trying out new foods in their pure form.

We get that it’s hard introducing new veggies to your kid. While eventually you’ll want to give them veggies like broccoli and kale in their true form, you’re allowed to “cheat” every once in awhile. Try this So Yummy recipe for veggie mac and cheese.

Your child won’t even know there’s no cheese!