You know the "this is your brain on drugs" trope? Yeah, well this was my kitchen while I was trying to do it all—including making my own baby food. It was well-intentioned but a nightmare and just not working for me. When I found out there were a few fresh baby food products out there that could deliver me the exact same thing I was attempting to do myself—but better because they're made by teams of pediatricians and nutritionists—I wiped my counter clean and set out to figure out which baby food brand was best for my family.
Little Spoon vs. Yumi: Who Wins?
Okay, so here are the two baby foods that I'm comparing: Little Spoon and Yumi. Which one got the boot and which one did I continue to subscribe to? Take a look at my considerations and see which one was left standing at the end.
If you're going for the best flavor...Little Spoon
Both brands have flavor combinations that sound really yummy. Some of Little Spoon's Babyblends concoctions include a limited-edition sweet potato latke, a chickpea blend with spinach, pear, and rosemary, and other combos that sound good enough for an adult to eat. (And, yes, of course I've tried every one of them, and can say they are enjoyable for me!) A couple of Yumi's offerings include a beet berry banana bowl and a chocolate peppermint pudding. But in the end, are they as delicious as they sound? For Yumi, not exactly. My family found that Yumi's flavors are pretty bland and almost too simple...for example, their "rustic tomato soup" is made from tomato puree and a couple of spices. It tasted to me like tomato paste. Whereas Little Spoon's flavors are more fruit-forward while simultaneously balanced with veggies, and topped off with tasteful finishing spices. The same is true of their Smoothies and Plates. All delicious!
If your baby has food allergies to consider...Little Spoon
Both companies are doing an awesome job of offering up baby food that's free from common allergens, is organic, and has no added sugar or preservatives. Both brands are free of the nine major allergens, which include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans. Both are organic, vegan, and plant-based. Both are free from fillers and are 100% clean and fresh. But Little Spoon edges ahead slightly with the most variety that accommodates so many dietary needs across a wide range of ages.
If you have multiple children to feed...Little Spoon
If you, like me, have multiple children, you know that the need for quick and healthy meals doesn't stop when your baby is no longer a baby. Yumi's toddler offerings are limited to finger food snacks; they don't offer any full meals. And, while the flavors they offer sound delicious (pizza bites, ginger bread bites, and beet brownies, anyone?)...honestly, even we adults who sprinkle flax on our toast had to stretch our imaginations to consider them appetizing. My rather un-picky three-year-old daughter said, "this isn't kid food." Little Spoon, on the other hand, spoke her language with pouches ranging from sweet and fruity to secretly veggie-filled and full-blown kid meals that are hidden with veggies at every turn. They're all USDA organic-certified with a seasonally rotating menu. Seriously, these meals are what got us through a week spent home from school for quarantining.
If you're on a budget...it's a tie
The starting cost of Little Spoon and Yumi baby food meals is pretty comparable: Little Spoon starts at $2.74 per meal and Yumi starts at $3 per meal. That said, Little Spoon costs $5 for its bi-weekly shipping, while Yumi offers free shipping for its weekly deliveries. So it balances out. Is grocery store baby food cheaper? Of course it is, but it's also not nearly the quality that a fresh, nutritious baby food like Little Spoon is, and they also don't come with the built-in cost of knowing that the baby foods you'll receive is well-researched to ensure it's completely developmentally appropriate for your baby.
Ultimate Winner: Little Spoon
My family is going to keep the subscription going with Little Spoon. I found the flavors to be better, the fuller range of offerings to work well for my baby and toddler, and the cadence to be more in line with our needs.
