The Importance of a Low Sodium Diet in Babies / Children

Sodium is a chemical element found in eggs, meat, vegetables, and milk (including breast milk and formula). Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is about 40% sodium and 60% chloride and is used as a binder and stabilizer, adding flavor to our food. Salt regulates the nerve, muscles, and immune functions, especially to a growing child.

What happens when babies begin their salt intake at the earliest age?

Early exposure to sodium can initiate your baby’s craving for salty foods, with the possibility of an increased risk of obesity and heart disease in later life.

What is the recommended salt intake per child?

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, United States, is issuing the Dietary Reference Intakes or Adequate Intakes (AI) as nutrient recommendations and sodium guidelines for below:

● Infants (6 months and younger) – the AI for sodium is 110 mg per day
● Babies (7-12 months) – 370 mg of sodium per day
● Children (1-3 years old) – 800 mg of sodium per day

It is best to keep in mind that breast milk and formula also contain sodium. According to studies, almost 80% of toddlers in the United States consume more than the maximum intake of 1,500 milligrams per day.

Risk of High Sodium Intake for Kids

High sodium intake in kids carries several risks that should be taken seriously. Firstly, excessive sodium can make saliva more acidic, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay. This may necessitate more frequent visits to a Dentist Orangeville (or elsewhere) for dental care. Saliva typically works to neutralize the pH of highly acidic or basic food particles, but excessive sodium can disrupt this balance.

Furthermore, a high sodium intake can contribute to dehydration, which can have detrimental effects on a child’s overall health. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor and control sodium consumption in children to safeguard their dental and overall well-being.

Tips for Salt-loving Kids

If your baby is starting to show interest in salty food, consider how they are prepared, such as the following:

● Is it frozen, packed, canned, or a fast-food item?
● Is it prepared at home?

Once they do, offer a small portion or on occasions, or better yet, skip it and prepare your babies a home-cooked meal instead! Children are more benefitted from home-cooked dishes to get the right nutrition needed for a stronger immune system.

Condiments to Avoid:

Fish sauce and soy sauce must be avoided at a very young age because they contain a substantial amount of 1,000 milligrams of sodium or more per serving. Consider replacing them with Coconut Aminos, a savory, seasoning sauce made from the fermented sap of coconut palm
and sea salt.

It has a milder, sweeter flavor, and surprisingly, it doesn’t taste like coconut. It is soy-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free, making it a healthier alternative to soy sauce for those with food sensitivities.

The Takeaway:

Sodium is still an essential nutrient to our bodies, but too much of it can be harmful. On your next grocery shopping, prioritize the whole, fresh ingredients and sodium-less condiments over processed foods for the whole family. There are so many seasonings that contain additives and preservatives nowadays.

Therefore, before grabbing them from the shelf and into your cart, read the labels first, or better yet shop online at an Asian Food Store instead
to take control of your expenses and have them delivered to your doorstep.
Genetics will also play a huge role when it comes to your children, so start them young with healthy options. What you feed them today will lay the foundation of their health conditions tomorrow.