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Food pouches – parents’ friend or foe? Expert weighs the pros and cons of pureed options - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Convenient, appetizing, and seemingly healthy, food pouches appear to be the perfect solution – but time-starved parents might want to pause before loading up their pantries, according to research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).
The U.S. has the largest food pouch market and sales of these handy products for babies and toddlers continues to grow, according to a recent Nielsen report. Defined as containers with plastic spouts at the top from which food is squeezed and sucked, they offer many immediate advantages like minimizing mess while providing your little ones pureed fruits and vegetables. But beneath the sleek packaging and advertising, often promising no added sugar, there could be significant drawbacks.
“It’s not about demonizing pouch foods, but approaching them with healthy caution and considering the options. What might be a split-second choice out shopping is actually a really important decision,” said Courtney Byrd-Williams, PhD, assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at UTHealth School of Public Health Austin campus.
Convenient, appetizing, and seemingly healthy, food pouches appear to be the perfect solution – but time-starved parents might want to pause before loading up their pantries, according to research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).
The U.S. has the largest food pouch market and sales of these handy products for babies and toddlers continues to grow, according to a recent Nielsen report. Defined as containers with plastic spouts at the top from which food is squeezed and sucked, they offer many immediate advantages like minimizing mess while providing your little ones pureed fruits and vegetables. But beneath the sleek packaging and advertising, often promising no added sugar, there could be significant drawbacks.
“It’s not about demonizing pouch foods, but approaching them with healthy caution and considering the options. What might be a split-second choice out shopping is actually a really important decision,” said Courtney Byrd-Williams, PhD, assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at UTHealth School of Public Health Austin campus.