Prepared baby meals: purees or finger foods, which option is right for you?

Looking for prepared baby meals, but want something other than purees?

Purees and baby food jars are a well-known way to start solids. But there are also finger-food meals, made for babies who are learning to feed themselves.

At Chunks, we make frozen meals and snacks, ready to reheat, designed especially for babies 6 to 24 months. It's an easy way for families to offer a variety of textures and flavours without cooking everything from scratch.

1. What types of prepared baby meals are there?

In stores and online, you'll mostly find four kinds of prepared baby meals:

  • Purees and jars: smooth textures served with a spoon. This is often where families start.
  • Pouches: purees in a soft, squeezable format, handy for outings and travel.
  • Transitional textures: pasta, stews or mashed textures that bridge the gap between purees and finger foods.
  • Finger-food meals: soft bites, meatballs, patties or sticks that baby can pick up. These are often called baby-led weaning (BLW) meals.

Each option has its place. The right choice depends on your baby's age, skills and the approach your family prefers.

2. What's the difference between purees and baby-led weaning?

There are many ways to introduce solid foods, and no single right one.

  • With purees, the parent spoon-feeds the baby. Textures then become thicker and lumpier over the weeks.
  • With baby-led weaning (BLW), baby feeds themselves with pieces of food suited to their abilities. They explore textures, shapes and flavours at their own pace.
  • A mixed approach combines both: a spoon-fed puree and a few pieces to grab, in the same meal or the same day. Many families do this.

Where does Chunks fit in? Our meals are designed for self-feeding. The veal and spinach meatballs, turkey and vegetable patties or blueberry fritters are easy for little hands to hold. Dishes like the squash mac & cheese or the creamy vegetable ABC pasta can be eaten with fingers or a spoon. You can serve them on their own or alongside the purees your baby already loves.

Whatever the approach, baby should eat sitting upright and always with an adult watching. For questions about when to introduce finger foods, talk to your healthcare provider.

3. Where can I buy prepared baby meals in Quebec?

Chunks makes frozen baby meals and snacks in Quebec. The meals are already cooked: just reheat them following each product's instructions. Our recipes have no added sugar or salt and are approved by pediatric dietitians.

Online, delivered to your door

  • $100 minimum order
  • $9.90 delivery from $100 to $149.99, free from $150
  • Ships on Wednesday (order by Tuesday midnight), arrives Thursday or Friday
  • Insulated packaging with dry ice, no subscription

All the details are on our baby meal delivery in Quebec page.

In stores

You can also find Chunks in some Quebec grocery stores, often in the frozen aisle. Check where to buy to find the one nearest you.

Where to start?

Frequently asked questions

What's the best brand of prepared baby food?

The best option depends on the approach you choose. For purees, many brands of jars and pouches exist. If you're looking for finger-food meals made in Quebec and designed for baby-led weaning, Chunks offers frozen meals and snacks for babies 6 to 24 months.

Can I combine purees and finger foods?

Yes. Many families serve a spoon-fed puree and a few pieces to grab on the same day. Chunks meals can complement the purees your baby already eats.

What age are Chunks meals for?

Our meals and snacks are designed for babies 6 to 24 months. Each product page shows the recommended age of introduction.

How do I prepare a Chunks meal?

The meals are already cooked and frozen. Reheat them following each product's preparation instructions, then check the temperature before serving.

Where can I buy finger-food baby meals in Quebec?

On chunksrepasdme.com, with home delivery to served regions of Quebec ($100 minimum, free from $150), or at one of our retail locations.

Do I need a subscription?

No. Order at your own pace, with no subscription.