What Is Babyfood, green beans and turkey, strained? Origin and Varieties
Babyfood, green beans and turkey, strained is one of the many commercial infant purees produced by baby food manufacturers — typically as a Stage 2 or mixed puree aimed at infants who are transitioning from single‑ingredient purees to more complex flavors. These products are formulated to provide a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients tailored to infants typically 6 months and older. Commercial purees like this one are developed to meet stringent safety and nutrition standards, offering predictable texture and nutrition in every jar. The two main components — green beans and turkey — reflect a long tradition in baby feeding where vegetables are combined with lean meats to improve protein intake and expose infants to savory flavors early in life. Baby foods in this category often span multiple stages: early “single‑vegetable” purees (like just green bean or sweet potato) to blended options combining vegetables and meats such as turkey, chicken, or beef. Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are the unripe pods of a legume species with a long cultivation history dating back thousands of years in Central and South America before global spread in the Columbian Exchange. They are prized for their vitamin and mineral content, mild flavor, and digestibility when cooked and pureed — ideal characteristics for baby foods. Turkey meat, rich in lean protein and essential amino acids, complements the vegetable puree by adding texture and a savory profile. Commercial purees are produced under strict hygienic conditions: vegetables are washed, cooked (usually steamed or boiled), and pureed; turkey is cooked and minced; and then both are combined, blended to a smooth consistency, and hot‑filled into sterile jars to ensure safety. These products must comply with food safety regulations and are tested for nutrient consistency, bacterial safety, and proper labeling. While purees like this are convenient and nutritionally balanced, it’s important to recognize they are just one piece of an infant’s diet. Complementary feeding — the period when babies start solids while still receiving breast milk or formula — should be varied. Offering a range of textures and flavors helps babies develop chewing skills, broad taste acceptance, and nutritional balance as they grow. Varieties of similar baby foods include green bean only purees, turkey and vegetable combos with other vegetables (like sweet potato, carrots, or peas), and meat blends with grains. Choosing between them often depends on your baby’s developmental stage and previously introduced foods. Purees with mixed ingredients like turkey and green bean provide both plant and animal sources of protein and micronutrients that support steady growth in infancy.
Nutrition Profile: A Detailed Breakdown
The nutrition profile of Babyfood, green beans and turkey, strained illustrates why this baby food is considered a nutrient‑dense option given its low calorie content. In a 100 g edible portion, this puree delivers approximately 51 kcal, comprised of 4.1 g of protein, 1.5 g of total fat, and 5.35 g of carbohydrates — including 1.4 g of dietary fiber and 1.39 g of naturally occurring sugars. The macronutrient balance reflects a relatively low energy density perfect for infants, where the priority is micronutrient provision rather than high energy intake. Protein: At 4.1 g per 100 g, the protein content helps supply essential amino acids necessary for growth, tissue repair, and immune function. Turkey provides high‑quality, lean animal protein that supports muscle development and overall growth. Fat: Total fat is modest at 1.5 g, of which 0.5 g is saturated fat. Fats are essential for brain development and fat‑soluble vitamin absorption. Although this puree isn’t high in fat, it includes contributions from turkey and the blending process. Carbohydrates & Fiber: Carbohydrates total 5.35 g, with fiber at 1.4 g. The fiber — mainly from green beans — supports healthy digestion and regular bowel movements in infants. Micronutrients: This baby puree offers several key vitamins and minerals. It contains Vitamin A (31 mcg RAE) and Vitamin C (2.2 mg), both critical for immune function and antioxidant defense. Vitamin K (14.8 mcg) supports normal blood clotting and bone health, while B‑vitamins like B12 (0.25 mcg), Niacin (1.14 mg), and Riboflavin (0.11 mg) contribute to energy metabolism and neurological development. The mineral profile includes Potassium (188 mg), important for electrolyte balance and cellular function, Iron (0.7 mg) for red blood cell formation, and Calcium (31 mg) for bone mineralization. Compared to standalone green bean purees, the addition of turkey increases the protein and micronutrient diversity while maintaining a smooth texture. These nutritive qualities make it especially useful for infants transitioning to solid foods, helping to bridge the nutritional gap left by milk alone during complementary feeding stages. Analyzing nutrient density (nutrients per calorie) shows this puree offers a relatively high micronutrient yield for its energy content, an important characteristic for developing bodies learning to tolerate and process solid foods. Overall, the balanced macro and micronutrient profile underscores why blended baby foods are recommended to expand both nutritional intake and sensory experience in infants.
❤️ Health Benefits
Supports Growth and Muscle Development
Provides high‑quality protein and essential amino acids required for building and repairing tissues in infants.
Evidence:
strong
⚖️ Comparisons
Vs. Green bean only baby food
Contains less protein but similar vitamins and fiber than green beans & turkey puree.
🧊 Storage Guide
❄️
Fridge
2–3 days once opened
🧊
Freezer
Not recommended for commercial jars
⚠️ Signs of
Spoilage:
-
smell:
Off or sour odor
-
visual:
Mold growth, Color changes
-
texture:
Excess separation
-
when to discard:
Any mold, foul smell, or jar swelling
👥 Special Considerations
elderly
Why: Designed for infant texture and nutrition.
Recommendation: Not typical food for elderly.
athletes
Why: Calorie and protein density too low for adult athletes.
Recommendation: Not relevant.
children
Why: Complements breast milk/formula with essential nutrients.
Recommendation: Appropriate from ~6 months with pediatric guidance.
pregnancy
Why: Intended for infants; adults should focus on whole foods.
Recommendation: Not directly applicable.
breastfeeding
Why: Provides diverse nutrients during complementary feeding.
Recommendation: Can integrate for baby as part of weaning.
🔬 Detailed Nutrition Profile (USDA)
Common Portions
1.00 jar Gerber Second Food (4 oz)
(113.00g)
1.00 tbsp
(14.00g)
| Nutrient
|
Amount |
Unit |
| Water |
87.5000
|
g |
| Energy |
51.0000
|
kcal |
| Energy |
215.0000
|
kJ |
| Protein |
4.1000
|
g |
| Total lipid (fat) |
1.5000
|
g |
| Ash |
1.5500
|
g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference |
5.3500
|
g |
| Fiber, total dietary |
1.4000
|
g |
| Total Sugars |
1.3900
|
g |
| Calcium, Ca |
31.0000
|
mg |
| Iron, Fe |
0.7000
|
mg |
| Magnesium, Mg |
22.0000
|
mg |
| Phosphorus, P |
56.0000
|
mg |
| Potassium, K |
188.0000
|
mg |
| Sodium, Na |
11.0000
|
mg |
| Zinc, Zn |
0.6000
|
mg |
| Copper, Cu |
0.0480
|
mg |
| Selenium, Se |
3.2000
|
µg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid |
2.2000
|
mg |
| Thiamin |
0.0300
|
mg |
| Riboflavin |
0.1100
|
mg |
| Niacin |
1.1400
|
mg |
| Vitamin B-6 |
0.0800
|
mg |
| Folate, total |
29.0000
|
µg |
| Folic acid |
0.0000
|
µg |
| Folate, food |
29.0000
|
µg |
| Folate, DFE |
29.0000
|
µg |
| Vitamin B-12 |
0.2500
|
µg |
| Vitamin A, RAE |
31.0000
|
µg |
| Retinol |
0.0000
|
µg |
| Carotene, beta |
377.0000
|
µg |
| Carotene, alpha |
0.0000
|
µg |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta |
0.0000
|
µg |
| Vitamin A, IU |
629.0000
|
IU |
| Lycopene |
0.0000
|
µg |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin |
637.0000
|
µg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) |
0.4500
|
mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) |
14.8000
|
µg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated |
0.5000
|
g |
| SFA 4:0 |
0.0000
|
g |
| SFA 6:0 |
0.0000
|
g |
| SFA 8:0 |
0.0000
|
g |
| SFA 10:0 |
0.0000
|
g |
| SFA 12:0 |
0.0100
|
g |
| SFA 14:0 |
0.0100
|
g |
| SFA 16:0 |
0.2300
|
g |
| SFA 18:0 |
0.1500
|
g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated |
0.2700
|
g |
| MUFA 16:1 |
0.0400
|
g |
| MUFA 18:1 |
0.2300
|
g |
| MUFA 20:1 |
0.0100
|
g |
| MUFA 22:1 |
0.0100
|
g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated |
0.4200
|
g |
| PUFA 18:2 |
0.2700
|
g |
| PUFA 18:3 |
0.0100
|
g |
| PUFA 18:4 |
0.0000
|
g |
| PUFA 20:4 |
0.0800
|
g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) |
0.0000
|
g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) |
0.0100
|
g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) |
0.0200
|
g |
| Cholesterol |
11.0000
|
mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl |
0.0000
|
g |
| Caffeine |
0.0000
|
mg |
| Theobromine |
0.0000
|
mg |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID: 169049)
Comments
Please login to leave a comment.
No comments yet. Be the first to share!