Equipment for blended diet is bought by the household, and the initial outlay can be a barrier for those on low incomes. Blender type alone does not determine feasibility: suitable recipes and adequate blending time matter more than the price of the machine.
1. Trial blended diet before buying a blender
Commercial baby food purées and pouches, if age appropriate, or an inexpensive hand-held stick blender allows a trial without the expense.
A stick blender is particularly useful when first introducing single, soft, easy-to-blend foods such as fruit and vegetables.
Commercially prepared blended food products are also available and can be used to trial tolerance without the need for equipment and preparation.
2. Blend for at least two minutes
Blending time matters more than wattage or price: at least two minutes reduces viscosity, and three to six minutes gives a smooth, uniform consistency.
Mid-range domestic blenders are the most commonly used in the professional survey and suit a meal-by-meal approach.
3. Powerful blenders permit a wider range of foods and batch blending
Higher-powered blenders will blend most foods, including seeds and nuts, and suit batch blending, but carry a high initial cost.
|
Type of blender |
Advantages |
Considerations |
|---|---|---|
|
Stick blender |
Inexpensive and easy to clean. |
Typically low power. Harder work to get a lump-free blend. Seeds and nuts blend less easily. Small volumes and can be messy. Needs a suitable container, and a sieve may be needed as well. |
|
Mid-range, for example a bullet blender |
Mid-price. Easy to use and clean. Best for blending meal by meal. |
Best with small volumes. Likely not large enough for batch blending. Durability varies. |
|
High-powered blender |
Will blend most foods. Good for batch blending and large quantities. Many have self-clean settings, long guarantees and are durable. |
Can be very noisy. High initial cost. |
Taken from the 2021 edition.
4. Sieve when starting blended diet or using a finer bore tube
A sieve is particularly useful with tubes narrower than 12Fr and when blending foods with seeds and skins.
A raspberry seed, for example, is the right size to block the narrow non-return valve in a button.
When starting, sieving the first few blends can build confidence, but it is not necessarily needed long term once blends pass easily.
A fine mesh sieve with holes of 1mm or less gives a lump-free consistency, even with a lower-powered blender.
Those using a high-powered blender may only need a medium mesh sieve or no sieve at all.
Sieves can be difficult to clean and are a potential source of contamination; metal sieves are easier to clean and more durable.
Rinse a sieve immediately after use, to avoid food drying on, then wash it in warm soapy water and leave it to air dry.
5. Additional equipment may make the experience easier
A food thermometer, extra fridge or freezer space with thermometers, measuring jugs and spoons, spatulas, and weighing scales can all help but none are essential.