Chow Baby meal plans for moms and kids (and picky eaters, too)

Tags: baby food breastfeeding diet Chow Baby ChowBabyMNL food for picky eaters healthy meal plans healthy meals Kath Buendia kiddie meals Meal Delivery Meg Hernandez Meghann Hernandez Metro Mom prenatal diet well-balanced meals

A healthy prenatal and breastfeeding diet not only benefits the mom but also helps with the baby’s growth and development. 

When I was pregnant with our youngest, I struggled to stick to a low-salt diet prescribed by my OB-Gyne. Healthy food options were a rare find around my office location. More often than not, I would order the same meals for lunch or dinner every day until I grew tired of the taste and smell. Although I felt so deprived, I didn’t succumb to the temptations of high-calorie, sugary, and salty food so as not to risk my health and that of the baby’s.

Upon giving birth, I set myself on a mission to lose the baby weight within a year. I followed a diet program that helped me slim down within three weeks. Sadly, as a result, my milk supply dwindled. I panicked and decided to bid my skinny dreams a temporary farewell, so I could focus on boosting my milk production and breastfeed my baby for as long as I could. I also realized my daily intake was not ideal for lactating moms, as it was not enough to meet the needs of both mom and infant.

With all the exhaustion that came with childbearing and caring for a newborn, I couldn’t help but wish for a more convenient solution that would address all our primary nutritional needs.

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Something (new) to chew on

Nowadays, moms need not fret as we have Chow Baby to turn to for nutritious meals delivered to our doors. Chow Baby offers meal subscription for pregnant and lactating moms, as well as kids from 1 to 18 years old. This brand is the brainchild of food and wellness entrepreneur Kath Buendia, who pioneered four keto meal delivery services, namely Keto Living PH, Keto Vegetarian PH, Keto Pesca PH, and Keto Vegan PH. 

“The core and heart of all our meal delivery businesses is our vision of creating a healthier society,” explains the wellness advocate. “Right now, our keto meal plans cater to almost everyone except kids, pregnant women, and lactating moms. So, I thought of making a brand specifically for them.”

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Don’t get confused. Chow Baby does not offer keto-friendly menus. Instead, the brand specializes in well-balanced and flavorful eats that are complete with the recommended nutrients for every stage.

All recipes are approved by nutritionists and pediatricians. Think comfort food, only with organic and minimally processed ingredients. No refined sugar, no nasties.

Bun in the oven

Kath adds, “Our Chow Baby Growing Mama meal plan is designed to help pregnant moms maintain or get to a healthy weight while providing them and their babies all the nutrients they need. We also incorporate ingredients like fenugreek seeds and malunggay to stimulate milk production in preparation for breastfeeding.”

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“We know each pregnant mom has specific needs. Before our clients start a meal plan with us, we ask them a couple of questions. We want to make sure we’ll be able to cater to all their dietary requirements. It’s important to consider their age, height, activity level, and how far along they are in their pregnancy. These help us identify a suitable meal plan for them.”

“We also cater to pregnant women who have dietary restrictions. For example, we have a client who is allergic to seafood—which happens to be a great source of protein. We proposed a specific meal plan for her that has other ingredients rich in protein. It’s important for customers to maintain an open communication with us, so we can customize their meal plans according to what is best for them and their babies.”

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Post-partum nutrition

Kath says their Nourishing Mama meal plan for lactating women was the “trickiest to create.”

“A lot of moms want to lose weight right away after giving birth. However, we can’t severely cut their calorie intake because they need to maintain or increase their milk production. Similar to how we do it with clients subscribed to our Growing Mama meal plan, we consider a few factors before we recommend a plan to breastfeeding moms.”

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“Our signature formula sets us apart from other meal providers. It aids moms in losing the excess weight and nourishes them with superfoods that will support the baby’s health and development. Our recipes contain fenugreek seeds and whole grains to help boost milk production.”

Go, grow, and glow

Chow Baby’s culinary lineup is also ideal for the young ones. There are several options available, designed for different age categories—namely, toddlers (1 to 3 years old), kids (4-12 years old), and teens (13 to 18 years old).

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Kath stresses, “All meal plans for kids are not intended for weight loss. Instead, they provide kids the right food and nutrients to support their growth and development.” Each menu offers savory bites and snacks that appeal to their taste buds and provide them the nutrients they need.

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Chow Baby makes it convenient for busy parents to add variety to their kids’ diet and get them accustomed to eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. “We want to introduce kids to healthier alternatives to their favorite food. Our primary ingredients are organic vegetables, meat, fruits, dairy, and seafood. We make sure to include all the macronutrients every child needs.”

“A lot of time and effort went into R&D, because we also want the meals to satisfy picky eaters. To achieve this, we came up with healthier alternatives to food that kids already love, like pizza, pasta, and more. We always find ways to make fruits and vegetables exciting for the little ones.”

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My teen and toddler, Tatiana and Sabine, have been trying out the meal plans for a few weeks now, and I’ve heard nothing but great feedback. Remembering how much I avoided and detested vegetables when I was a child, it makes me truly happy when I see our kids diligently finishing off the greens, cauliflower rice, couscous, and adlai on their plates. They still get to enjoy snacks and smoothies, sans the refined sugar and artificial flavors.

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Full board

“It has been an exciting ride since we launched the brand. We’ve been getting great reviews so far,” Kath enthuses.

“To be honest, at first, I was hesitant to start this business because the clients—kids, expecting and lactating moms—have particular dietary requirements. With my heart set on advocating wellness in our community, I knew I had to carry on with my mission. Chow Baby is a daring concept, but I felt my team and I could take it forward. We encourage our customers to inform us about their health concerns, so we can address their needs and accommodate them the best way we can.”

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Follow @chowbabymnl on Facebook and Instagram to see their weekly menus and client reviews. For inquiries and meal subscriptions, you can send them a direct message on social media or contact +63 995 5725 1943.