Is It Bad to Give My Kid Pouches?

I’m hearing a lot in the news about how unhealthy and unsafe pouches are. I give veggie pouches with only four ingredients (banana and three vegetables) and a yogurt version with three ingredients (yogurt, strawberry, and banana). Although I think these are healthy options, apparently the issues don’t even stem from ingredients anymore but developmental issues. A Google AI response says they “delay oral motor development, lead to overeating, contribute to tooth decay, mask the taste of vegetables and grains, contribute to poor long-term snacking habits, and contribute to environmental impacts.” Please tell me if these allegations are true or totally off base.

–Jessica

I do feel like the last thing parents need is AI parenting judgment. This is not an area where we need growth! We are doing just fine judging each other without the robots getting involved.

You are right that the ingredients here are not the concern. The worry is that this method of food delivery is slightly artificial, and that the pouches lack some of the nutrient profile of the foods they come from (notably, the fiber). There are also concerns about sweetness — the pouches tend to concentrate the sweetness of fruit so they are sweeter than the fruit itself would be. This develops a taste for sweetness that may persist long-term (see this post on sugar).

On the other hand: it can be hard to get kids to eat fruits and vegetables, and this is often a palatable way to do it. And finding snacks that our kids will eat that are not, say, cookies — it’s tough. It seems possible that pouches could, on average, improve nutritional status given the alternatives.

There is some logic behind these claims, but there is no research. This 2022 study of parental perceptions of baby-food pouches specifically notes that no research studies have actually evaluated any claims, positive or negative, about pouches. Google AI may think that they contribute to poor long-term snacking habits, but that’s not based on data.

All else being equal, I think an argument could be made that a whole banana and some carrot sticks is a better option. It’s closer to what you imagine your children eating as adults, and there is more fiber. But this may just not be realistic. And there is a strong argument that pouches are a good “second best” alternative.