🍼 the dirt on…why baby food is on the menu for your *very adult* cranky belly
Where I persuade you to carry pureed peas in your purse
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Hello there, Friend.
I promise you, this isn't a typo— I'm indeed about to wax lyrical on the virtues of baby food. Yes, the jarred, mashed delicacies that are typically served on a tiny spoon to your toothless nephew.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. "Baby food, really?" Well, bear with me.
My love story with pureed squash began in my early twenties when I was flung into a full-blown health crisis. After one decadent dinner, I awoke the next morning to large blistering welts canvassing my entire body and my throat closing shut. From that day on, I started experiencing a tempest tummy, where everything I ate seemed to move up and out expeditiously.
My health practitioner at the time recommended soup until the stomach swells subsided.
And while soup is something I love in the winter months, curled up in a cozy sweater while the snow comes down and I can pretend I’m in a Nancy Meyers movie (because yes, I romanticized my life before TikTok told me to), soup in the summer months is like slurping back your own sweat.
Just the thought of it sounded 🤮. But, without an alternative and the need to keep something in my stomach, to the store I sauntered.
I wandered the soup aisle of my local coop, gagging at the thought of heating up a can of Cream of Mushroom midday in 92° heat. And just before I threw in the towel and resigned to, once again, stuff a sandwich unsuccessfully down my throat, I stumbled upon the baby provisions.
Baby food…how novel…how strange…how perfect.
An assortment of veggies and fruits and proteins that I could eat in pureed form, neither too hot or too cold, with zero work on my exhausted self’s end? I grabbed 20 from the shelf, causing the checkout woman to assess me with a concerned face that screamed: “Oh, this poor girl doesn’t seem to be doing well with motherhood…She seems exhausted…and unqualified.”
What started as a quirky experiment, soon morphed into a full-blown love affair. The different settings where baby food has proved to be the perfect companion are endless - it's the ultimate plane snack (as long as you don’t open it until you’re on the plane), an easy pre-workout or post-workout food, and the best way to be the perfect cool aunt (pulling a random baby food packet out of your bag when your friend’s kid has a meltdown— a major flex).
But why is baby food so fricking great, you ask?
When bellies are not quite feeling their best, baby food is a great antidote. It's not as cold as a smoothie (which can make your stomach work overtime to digest), not as tedious as making soup (or a soup alternative for hot months), it’s already pre-made (which is great when you’re battery is on 0%), and the ingredients are simple, perfect for those of us who don’t play well with some foods (aka food sensitivities or allergies). Plus, baby food is low-key predigested (aka pureed), which means it’s easier for our bodies to absorb.
So, next time your belly is feeling a bit cranky or you're simply in need of a hassle-free snack, why not give baby food a try? You might just find it's the perfect fit for your very baby-like adult belly.
Ciao bella, Andie
📆 P.S. I have a free event coming up this week and you’re invited!
On Wednesday, June 26th I’m offering the workshop 💩 Creatives with Poo Problems, Tummy Troubles and Bloated Bellies where I’ll dive into the “why” behind why you and your creative buds deal with irritable bowels, bloating, belching, and gas with such frequency…and what you can do about it (register here). They will be funny, punny, and packed with good info!
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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical provider. The information provided in this document is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health.