One common concern many parents face is whether it's safe to add salt to the family meal when also cooking for bub. Join us for a guide on adding salt to your baby's meals. We'll cover whether it's okay, which foods to avoid, how to read the sodium content on nutrition labels, and the best low sodium cheese options. Let's ensure your baby gets a healthy start!
The Salt Dilemma: Is It Safe for Babies?
The consensus among health experts is clear: babies under 2 should avoid added salt in their diet. The reason behind this recommendation lies in the physiological development of babies. Their kidneys, which play a crucial role in regulating sodium levels in the body, are still immature during the first two years of life. Excess salt can put strain on these developing organs, potentially leading to long term health issues.
In addition to placing strain on their developing kidneys, high salt consumption can also impact their blood pressure and cardiovascular health later in life. By being mindful about your baby's salt intake and making informed choices, you can help safeguard their long term wellbeing.
So a little sprinkle of salt in the family meal is perfectly fine. It’s excess salt you want to avoid giving bub which can happen if they were to regularly eat takeaways, highly processed foods and things like sauces, gravies and stock.
Cooking for Baby: Salt Dos and Don'ts
When preparing meals just for bub, you might as well leave salt entirely - they don’t need it. Additionally, and very importantly, babies' palates are incredibly sensitive, and they can appreciate the natural sweetness and flavours of foods without the need for added salt. By introducing them to a diverse range of tastes and textures early on without added salt, you're helping to shape their lifelong eating habits and preferences.
When cooking a family meal that will be shared by both adults and baby, a small amount of salt can generally be considered safe. The key here is moderation. A pinch of salt added to a pot of soup or in a bolognese is unlikely to pose any harm to your baby, especially when balanced with other nutritious ingredients.
Tips for Avoiding Excess Salt
While a little taste of salt here and there is okay, try not to give bub these salty numbers too regularly:
Store Bought Baby Food: Always take a peek at the labels. Some manufacturers add unnecessary salt to their product. Opt for brands like Nourishing Bub’s Purees, which prioritise natural ingredients and have no added salt.
Snacks and Packaged Foods: Items like crackers, certain cheeses, ready-made sauces, gravies, and stocks can contain surprisingly high levels of sodium. These may seem innocuous, but they can significantly contribute to your baby's salt intake if consumed regularly.
Takeaways and Restaurant/Cafe/Bakery Foods: While indulging in these treats occasionally is fine for adults, they tend to be loaded with salt, which isn't suitable for babies. The odd little taste is okay but we would recommend avoiding regular consumption for bub.
Understanding Sodium on Nutrition Labels
When it comes to purchasing processed foods for your baby, reading nutrition labels is essential to ensure you're making healthy choices. Look out for the sodium content per 100 grams, as this can vary significantly between products. In Australia, the recommended daily intake of sodium for infants under 1 year old is less than 200 milligrams per day. Therefore, aim for processed foods with a sodium content of under 140 milligrams per 100 grams. This ensures that your baby's salt intake remains within the recommended limits and reduces the risk of health complications associated with excessive sodium consumption.
For older babies over 1 year old, the recommended sodium intake increases slightly. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in Australia, recommends that the adequate intake (AI) for sodium for children aged 1-3 years is 400 milligrams per day. When interpreting sodium content on nutrition labels for children over 1 year old, here's some guidelines to be mindful of:
- Low Sodium: Less than 120mg per 100g.
- Moderate Sodium: Between 120mg and 400mg per 100g.
- High Sodium: Above 400mg per 100g.
Navigating Low-Sodium Cheese Options
Cheese is usually a baby favourite and it contains nutrients like calcium and protein which are essential for bubs growth and development. But cheese is often pretty salty (which is why it’s delicious). Here are some low-sodium cheese options:
- Mozzarella,
- Bocconcini,
- Cottage cheese,
- Cream cheese,
- Ricotta cheese
- Mascarpone.
Always choose full fat varieties for a growing bub and pasteurised cheeses to minimise the risk of harmful bacteria. It's important to note that while it's okay for babies under 1 to have a little bit of regular cheese if included in a family meal, it's best to prioritise low sodium options, especially for regular consumption.
Why Homemade Meals are The Best
One of the significant advantages of cooking meals at home is that you have full control over the ingredients, including the amount of salt used. By preparing homemade meals, you can minimise your baby's exposure to unnecessary salt and ensure they develop healthy eating habits from the start.
In conclusion, while it's generally best to avoid adding salt to meals specifically for your baby, incorporating a small amount into family meals is usually safe. However, always prioritise natural flavours and opt for low-sodium options whenever possible. By being mindful of your baby's salt intake and making informed choices, you can create nutritious and delicious meals that benefit the whole family.
Nourishing Bubs: Your Partner in Raising Healthy Eaters
At Nourishing Bubs, we go beyond convenient and nutritious baby food. We're your one-stop shop for raising healthy eaters! Explore our library of informative articles and delicious recipes, designed to guide you through every stage of your child's development, from starting solids to introducing allergens and fostering healthy eating habits. Plus, discover our convenient and nutritious product range: frozen baby purees for effortless mealtimes, allergen packs for safe exploration of common allergens, and delicious toddler finger foods that encourage self-feeding and a love for healthy choices.
Shop our product range here!
Please note, our advice is general in nature and should not replace any advice provided to you by your health professional. Ensure your bub is over 4 months old and is showing signs of readiness before starting solids. If you have any concerns about your bubs development or starting solids consult your GP or other health professional.*
References:
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/nutrient-reference-values-australia-and-new-zealand-including-recommended-dietary-intakes#block-views-block-file-attachments-content-block-1
