Raised Real: Whole Foods Meal Delivery for Baby | Product Review

Raised Real is a plant-based meal delivery service for babies using whole foods, and an alternative to jarred baby foods or pouches.

If you read this blog post a couple weeks ago, you know we have started on SOLIDS! Eek! Something that has been important to me throughout this process has been to primarily offer whole table foods. I was really excited when I learned about Raised Real because they offer simple, whole food meals for babies.

Disclosures: This blog post was sponsored by Raised Real. Opinions are honest and my own. Thanks for supporting brands that keep this blog possible!

What Is Raised Real?

Raised Real is a whole food, plant-based meal delivery service for infants and toddlers.

How Does it Work?

Each Raised Real box comes with 20 meals ready for baby in BPA-free packaging, with 4 different recipes in each box. The meals come well-organized in a cooler with dry ice. Pop these in the freezer, and you have complete meals ready to go at any time. Heat by warming in a saucepan with 3 Tbsp water.

Consistency

The meals come in finger-sized pieces. You have a few options after steaming on the stovetop for ~5 minutes:

• • Finger-sized pieces: Give the food as is if your little is able to grab it to self-feed.
  • Mash it: Mash it up after warming to modify the texture if needed.
  • Puree it: Puree it for a totally smooth consistency.

After warming, I threw this in the blender for a few seconds to achieve either the mash (could do this by hand, too) or a little longer for puree. So easy. There was a little extra water in the bottom of the pan after steaming, so for the puree and mash I added it to the blender for an easier blend. For the finger food I used a slotted spoon to drain.

Big 8 Allergen-Free

These meals are free of: tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, dairy, soy or eggs, so they are safe for families with food allergies. If you don’t have food allergies, introduce allergens in other meals to give your little one exposure (exposure can reduce the risk of food allergies developing!).

Sample Meals + Nutrition

Here are some examples of Raised Real meals:

• Peas and zucchini with hemp hearts, basil and avocado oil
• Chickpeas and tahini with cauliflower and turmeric
• Spinach and banana with quinoa, chia and coconut butter

Nutritionally, I appreciate that each meal contains a source of fiber, plant-based protein and a healthy fat. Nutrition info is provided for each meal, plus why it’s a nutritious choice (AKA important for digestive health or brain health, etc.).

Many baby food pouches are mostly fruit to give them a sweet taste; I appreciate that Raised Real opts for primarily veggie-based meals. Each food is flash frozen, quickly locking in nutrients. Each package is BPA-free, which gives me peace of mind as a dietitian and mom.

Sourcing and Sustainability

Raised Real foods are sourced from organic and sustainable farms. The cooler is made from recycled material, is reusable and curbside recyclable.

Cost

A membership costs $95 per month which gives you 20 meals every two weeks. Members get other perks like a feeding support hotline (you can text your feeding questions), and special discounts with partners like Beaba and ezpz. Use the code “STACEY25” for a $25 discount on your first box (not an affiliate link – just a discount for you).

My Experience with Raised Real Baby Food

The ordering process was simple. I chose my meals and the week I wanted them to be delivered. The day before they arrived I got an email telling me they were coming.

How I’m Using Raised Real

Baby T isn’t quite able to successfully put food in her mouth (although she can get it all over her high chair, clothes and body 😂). We’ve done a lot of mashed, single-ingredient foods, but I’ve found with these meals being more complex she eats Raised Real best pureed (currently 5 1/2 months). To keep her in more control over the feeding process I put the spoon up to her mouth and she brings her mouth to the spoon to eat from it. Because the pureeing process is easier with more bulk, I don’t leave finger-pieces (I need it in the blender!) but I still let her explore the puree with her hands. I’m using Raised Real complementary, particularly with meals that are less Baby T-friendly. 

As she becomes a more advanced eater I will progress to mashed and later let her self-feed bite-sized pieces.

Bottom Line, Would You Recommend Raised Real?

Honestly, I have been completely surprised at how much I enjoy using Raised Real. It’s nutritionally-balanced, convenient and has a grow-with-you approach for texture. Not every meal I make is super baby friendly for Baby T to eat from the table, and although one or two items from each meal is alright for now, she will need more well-balanced meals as she gets older. Raised Real gives a convenient, complete meal option for her. I’ll definitely continue using Raised Real.

Use the code “STACEY25” for a $25 discount on your first Raised Real box (not an affiliate link).

Have you tried Raised Real?