JOHN YANG: For most parents, feeding their infant or toddler healthy foods is a priority, but new research shows that baby food aisles at grocery stores across America are stocked with products that might not be as nourishing as they seem.

Ali Rogin reports on what parents need to know to be sure they're giving their children a balanced diet.

ALI ROGIN: Proper nutrition in the first years of a child's life can have a significant impact on their development.

But according to a recent study, nearly two-thirds of supermarket baby foods don't meet nutrition guidelines set by the World Health Organization.

Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health found that 60 percent of the 651 products they reviewed either failed to meet protein and calorie recommendations or have too much sugar and sodium.

Jill Castle is a pediatric nutritionist and dietitian.

She's also the author of "Kids Thrive at Every Size."

Jill, thank you so much for being here.

We mentioned that this study looked at foods for children ages six months to three years.

Why is nutrition in that window of time so crucial?

JILL CASTLE, Pediatrician Nutritionist and Dietitian: So there are several reasons.

Number one, brain development is happening at quite a good pace, and that's a nutrient dependent process.

And so we want young children to have a nutrient rich diet.

The other thing that's happening is that children are developing their flavor preferences and their food preferences, and so we know if they're eating lots of sweet foods or salty foods, they're going to prefer those later on.

So we really want to have that nutrient rich diet and foods that are going to nurture their flavor and food preferences down the road.

ALI ROGIN: What do we know about some of the -- what this study would call deceptive and untruthful practices that the companies that make these products do when they put their products on the shelf?

JILL CASTLE: Well, I think part of it is just the labeling on the front of package may not represent what's actually in the product.

And so I encourage parents to turn the package over and look at the ingredient list.

The first item on the list will be what is most prominent in that baby food package.

So if apple is the first item, it's going to be mostly made with apples.

So if you're buying baby food or a blend of grains and fruit and vegetables, you want to make sure that what you think you're getting is actually on that ingredient list, listed at the top of the list.

ALI ROGIN: And how are these nutritional guidelines determined?

And is it different here in the United States than it is in other parts of the Western world?

JILL CASTLE: Over the last decade, the baby food market has really exploded, and we don't have regulations necessarily that really tell manufacturers what those products need to include.

We do have the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and in 2020 when those came out, we had new guidance for children under age two, which went on to talk about when we introduced food allergens, it also talked about no added sugar in the diet in the first two years of life, and really limits on sodium.

So, we're kind of in the wild, wild west with baby.

Food right now, we don't have guidance.

We don't have regulatory reinforcement of what needs to be in there and what needs to be limited, and so it can be very confusing for parents who are trying to do the best by their children.

They're looking at the front of pack.

They're looking at what it might say, GMO or no added sugar, or all natural, and that can be very confusing for families, because they don't know exactly what's in there, and those claims can be misleading.

ALI ROGIN: And some parents might turn to these foods because they're convenient, they're affordable.

Are there alternatives that are likewise that parents can explore?

JILL CASTLE: Sure, I mean, single ingredient baby foods are just going to have that one ingredient.

So for example, carrots or peas, those are a great place to start.

They may not have the type of texture as your baby gets older that you're going to want to expose them to, but you can make your own mixes with single ingredient food.

For example, maybe you take oatmeal, carrots and green beans, and you mix it together.

The other thing that parents can do is fork mash easy foods like avocado, banana, boil -- a sweet potato and fork mash that you can thin that with a little infant formula or breast milk, and then the other thing parents can do is use a baby led weaning approach, where they can use finger foods for children, or a hybrid approach, where you're using both baby food and age appropriate sized Whole Foods for your baby.

ALI ROGIN: What about for parents who live in places where fresh food might not be as readily available.

Food deserts where supermarkets are sparse, what are their options?

JILL CASTLE: So if families are economically challenged, there's a great program called the Women Infants and Children Program, or WIC, and that program is designed for mothers and children under the age of five.

They provide education, food sources access to nutritious foods for children under the age of five.

ALI ROGIN: And what advice do you have for parents who might be looking to change course?

They might have read these studies and found that what they're feeding their baby isn't as nutritious as what they thought?

What would be your advice for those parents?

JILL CASTLE: I would say, don't panic.

You know, there are lots of foods out there.

There are brands out there that are doing a good job, although they these brands weren't highlighted in the article, but I would say, you know, you can always talk to a registered dietitian or your pediatrician and ask for guidance, but don't panic.

Variety is really the key, and looking for foods that are going to be rich in nutrients to help nurture your baby's relationship with food, their growth and development and their flavor preferences.

ALI ROGIN: Jill Castle, pediatric nutritionist and dietitian and the author of "Kids Thrive at Every Size."

Thank you so much for joining us.

JILL CASTLE: You're so welcome.