Why Simple is Best

Let Natural Flavours Shine

When preparing food for your baby, the most important rule is to keep it simple. Babies have brand-new taste buds and are incredibly sensitive to flavours. They don’t need any added salt or sugar to enjoy their food. In fact, adding them can be harmful to their health and can shape their taste preferences in negative ways. Let’s explore why these ingredients should be kept off the menu for your little one.

No Salt for Babies Under One

A baby’s kidneys are not mature enough to handle added salt. Their daily salt requirement is very small (less than 1 gram per day) and is easily met through breast milk or infant formula. Adding salt to their food can put a strain on their developing kidneys.

How to Avoid Hidden Salt:

• Don't add salt to the water when cooking pasta, rice, or vegetables for your baby.
• Avoid processed foods like sausages, crackers, crisps, and ready-made sauces, which are often very high in salt.
• Check labels on foods like bread and cheese, and choose lower-salt options where possible.
• Be mindful of salty condiments used in many cultures, such as soy sauce, fish sauce, or stock cubes. These should not be added to your baby’s portion.

No Sugar for Babies and Toddlers

Sugary foods and drinks are a major cause of tooth decay, even in babies who only have a few teeth. They also provide "empty calories," filling up your baby’s small tummy without providing any of the essential nutrients they need to grow. A diet high in sugar can also lead to a preference for sweet foods, making it harder for them to accept healthier options.

How to Avoid Hidden Sugar:

• Avoid sugary drinks like fruit juice, squash, and fizzy drinks. Stick to water and milk.
• Stay away from sweet snacks like biscuits, cakes, and sweets. Offer fruit or plain yogurt instead.
• Read labels carefully. Sugar has many names, including glucose, fructose, sucrose, and corn syrup.
• In many cultures, it's common to add sugar or jaggery to porridges or milk. It's best to avoid this and let your baby appreciate the natural sweetness of foods.

No Honey for Babies Under One

Honey may seem like a natural and healthy sweetener, but it is very dangerous for babies under 12 months old. It can contain spores of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. In a baby’s immature digestive system, these spores can grow and produce a toxin that causes a rare but serious illness called infant botulism.

This is a strict rule with no exceptions. Do not give your baby honey, either on its own or in cooked or baked foods, until after their first birthday.

A Gift of Health

By avoiding salt, sugar, and honey, you are protecting your baby’s health and helping them develop a taste for the natural, delicious flavours of whole foods. This is a foundational gift that will help them build a healthy and positive relationship with food for the rest of their lives, celebrating the authentic tastes of your family’s cuisine.