First Meals Revised: Fast, healthy, and fun foods to tempt infants and toddlers
by Annabel Karmel
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Book Reviews of First Meals Revised: Fast, healthy, and fun foods to tempt infants and toddlers
Book Review: Some Good Ideas, But Not Enough Allergy Information
Summary: 2 Stars
I received the previous version of this book. It is indeed beautiful to look at and easy to use. However, the author suggests lots of recipes for young babies, which contain foods that should be avoided if your family has a history of allergies, like fish and tropical fruits.
Our daughter broke out in hives after eating one of her fish recipes recommended for babies under 12 months. We later found out that many doctors recommend avoiding fish until well after 12 months (sometimes not until 2) because it can be highly allergenic in babies.
I know it is not the author's fault that our daughter is allergic to fish, especially since our family has food allergies.
But I believe a baby cookbook should include warnings and information about which foods might cause allergic reactions - especially those with higher risks. Our daughter is also allergic to mango (another fruit high on the 'avoid for allergy kids' list), and Karmel recommends introducing tropical fruits at a very young age.
If your family has a history of allergies, be wary of these baby cookbooks and do not trust that the ingredients are safe.
Book Review: the toddler of the house hasn't turned down a dish yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked up this book because I needed to come up with creative ways to get my underweight one-year-old daughter to eat. So far, I've made a handful of dishes, like the Cheesy Pasta and the Butternut Squash puree, and she hasn't refused a single thing yet! Prior to the book, I was giving her jar food and single item purees, and we were both bored with the lack of choices. Ms. Karmel's book has helped me make mealtimes more fun, and I'm looking forward to making future meals.
Some of the recipes in the book may be a little disconcerting to American readers because of its fairly liberal use of butter and other ingredients considered unhealthy or unsafe for babies in this country. But because we got the go-ahead from our pediatrician to include more fats (butter, cheese, olive oil, etc.) in my daughter's diet, this book was helpful in incorporating them into each meal.
Recommended for those with a good grasp on children's nutrition and who are looking for inspired meals. You will find yourself nibbling off your child's plate.
Book Review: Recipes too Complicated and Time Consuming
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this product after reading the reviews regarding how complicated the recipes were thinking that how much time and effort could baby food recipes take. After reading through the book, you realize that in order to make many of the receipes you need lots of spare time to food shop, prepare and cook. All unrealistic given the time constraints of caring for a 12 month old and working part-time.
Also, the recipes call for taking time to make food look "cute" and eye-catching, even recipes for older babies and young toddlers. Children that young don't care that the veggies are shaped like animals, flowers, etc. The presentation called for in the recipes is over the top.
Lastly, some of the recipes call for foods and spices that I wouldn't think to give a young toddler.
Overall, this book has unique receipes, but the recipes are not as simple, quick and easy as they could/should be. I wouldn't recommend buying this book. Instead, think of some of the other less complicated cook books.
Book Review: some great basic recipes
Summary: 4 Stars
I've now owned this cookbook for over two years, and the book is falling apart because I use it so often. Some of the ingredients the author calls for are difficult to find, and the book does not contain nutritional information. Further, when spills happen the book does not wipe clean easily. However, the food is very good (if a tad bit bland, but add extra spice!). The pad thai recipe is the best I have found, I only subsitute tofu for the requested meat. The tuna melts are my husbands favorite sunday lunch, and the couscous with ham and peas is my daughters favorite weekday dinner(mine too since it takes about 15 minutes to make). My whole office loves the white chocolate chip cookie recipe... Other than the lack of nutritional information the other complaint I have is that the author often lists self rising flour. I hate that b/c I don't buy that kind of flour. I've had to paste a note on my fridge with the changes required to make my regular flour work.Book Review: Wonderful book
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. It has beautiful pictures and easy to follow instructions. It also contains valuable information that other books leave out, such as which recipes are suitable for freezing, how to modify recipes with different ingredients, and how long to store foods in the refrigerator and freezer.
The meals are delicious (I've tried them) and easy to make. They do call for some ingredients that are probably more mainstream in England (where the author is from), such as parsnips and rutabega, but I've either been able to find the ingredients or just left them out.
I agree with one reviewer, that once your child is starting to eat regular table foods, this book might be overkill. But it's wonderful up to about 10 months or so. To address some other reviews -- if you're looking for a book that tells you to "steam carrots in the microwave with a little water then mash them with a fork," why do you need a cookbook?