Babies are born with a natural inclination towards sweet, salty, and umami flavors. Salty taste can stimulate taste buds, increase appetite, but this may also make them gradually prefer saltier foods. Data shows that a 6-month-old infant needs about 200 milligrams of sodium per day, equivalent to 0.5 grams of salt. Many foods already contain sodium, so excessive addition, especially adjusting according to adult tastes, can easily lead to excessive sodium intake. Considering that infants’ kidney function is still developing, excessive sodium can burden their kidneys. Similarly, excessive pursuit of sweetness and umami flavors can make babies prefer these foods, potentially leading to picky eating. Therefore, it is recommended that baby food should avoid adding salt as much as possible, and sugar should also be added moderately. Only when babies sweat a lot or have poor appetite, a small amount of salt can be added appropriately, but still avoiding using adult salt preferences as a standard. Importantly, getting babies accustomed to eating bland foods can help maintain their sensitivity to different flavors, making it easier for them to accept a variety of foods, reducing picky eating tendencies.
The infancy and toddler stages are critical periods for taste bud development and taste preference formation. Allowing children to experience and enjoy the natural flavors of food has a significant positive impact on their lifelong health. However, in reality, parents often prepare children’s meals according to adult tastes, frequently using various seasonings to enhance the taste of food. Over time, children may reject unprocessed natural foods, mistakenly believing that unseasoned foods lack flavor. Poor eating habits may lead to health issues, especially for infants and toddlers whose digestive and kidney functions are immature. Excessive salt not only burdens the kidneys of infants and toddlers but may also trigger diseases such as hypertension, typically seen in adults; while excessive sugar can cause tooth decay, gastrointestinal discomfort such as cavities, acid reflux, osmotic diarrhea, and suppress appetite. Therefore, when selecting infant complementary foods, parents should choose products that do not contain salt and sugar, helping babies form healthy dietary preferences.
