How much salt can a 12 mth old consume?

[hawkeye1315]

When can I start offering my LO the same food that we eat?  Since he started taking solids, I made all his food by steaming all his veggies, and meats.  He's started to push away his food, even though he's still hungry.  We eat at the same times he eats and he wants our food instead.  I am concerned our food is to salty for him.  When and how will I know he is able to eat the same food as us?

[Wife and Mummy.]

I think as long as you make the food fresh yourself and dont add ant salt to your food he can eat your food now.When it comes to ready made meals I dont think that they should even be in the shops let alone be given to kids or babies.[Im not saying you do though]

[calebs mommy]

My son is 13 months and he has been eating the same things we eat for a couple of months now.  He loves spicy foods, like Mexican and Italian.  Like pp said, as long as you don't add extra salt to his meal, I think it is fine.  It is so much easier to feed him the same things we eat.  And, I have found myself trying to eat healthier because I want him to be healthy!  Have fun with it!

[jumblebox]

same as caleb's mommy... I try to cook healthier, since I know he'll want some. We can always add more salt to our own plates, after we've served him. And, sometimes, I just keep out some of the ingredients for him, before I add much salt. Also, try other herbs & spices (besides salt) in his foods. That might be all he's wanting. DS is a big fan of garlic, cumin, onion, italian seasonings (like in spaghetti sauce).

[hawkeye1315]

Thanks for all the advice!  But may I ask I more question? 

We eat quite healthy, but with the occasional indulgences!     I steam and stir fry most of our foods.  I often preseason the ingredients (e.g. marinate the meat before cooking).  Should I stop this and add the salt only after it's cooked so my LO doesn't have salt in his food?

[calebs mommy]

No, I wouldn't stop.  I think it is fine for him to have some salt.  There is nothing wrong with seasoning, especially when you are eating healthy!  Some people season their food, then cook it, then add more salt when they sit down to eat it.  I think as long as you aren't adding that extra salt right before eating, then it is fine. 

[¤ Efka ¤]

I would still season food but would not add any salt on top of seasoning.

[jumblebox]

I think salt, in moderate amounts, is fine. It the excess (mostly processed foods, all day, every day) that becomes a problem.

example: I've noticed all the canned/jarred spaghetti sauces at the store have pretty much the same sodium... which isn't great. But I don't think anyone sits down & eats a bowl of spaghetti sauce.  Once you add in unsalted pasta, meat, veggies, etc, the total sodium per serving goes way down.

As long as salty foods don't dominate the menu, I wouldn't worry too much.