Parents should know the importance of proper nutrition for their children. The type of food you give to your child is directly proportional to his overall health and wellbeing. If you give your child food (read Can babies eat food fried with alcohol? ) rich in vitamins and minerals, he will have good physical and mental development.
Introducing Ketchup and Mayonnaise to your toddler is often confusing for children. Some people say these food items are safe for toddlers, while others consider them harmful. What does science say? Let’s find out in this article!
Can you give Mayonnaise to your toddler?
There is no reliable scientific evidence that discourages parents from giving their toddlers Mayonnaise. However, health professionals do not recommend it to babies and toddlers. Mayonnaise is made from vinegar, egg yolks, and oils, which do not add any nutritional value to your toddler’s overall health and wellness.
Vinegar is one of the main ingredients in Mayonnaise and has a bitter taste. Because your toddler is sensitive, vinegar will taste quite harsh in his mouth and cause irritation. Although Mayonnaise is a favorite condiment for adults, toddlers love to pursue sweetened food.
Although Mayonnaise is rich in vitamin E, K, choline, selenium, potassium, and sodium, it is loaded with high fat and has dense calorie composition. Giving it to your child can cause foodborne illnesses caused by bacterial presence. On the other hand, Mayonnaise has a bold and bitter flavor, which is not advisable for your toddler.
Can you give Ketchup to your toddler?
Ketchup is a popular condiment for children worldwide, but it contains higher sugar quantities, which can risk your toddler’s health. Tomato ketchup is a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with various health benefits, such as improved heart health, boosted immune system, enhanced digestive system, and lower cancer risks.
Parents can give their toddlers homemade or organic tomato ketchup with a low amount of added sugar and salt to avoid complications. Because commercial ketchup products contain synthetic ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives, we recommend avoiding giving them to your toddler. Otherwise, your child can develop health problems like obesity and diabetes, and at such a young age, this is a disaster for your toddler.
Salt and sugar are two ingredients of concern in tomato ketchup. One tablespoon of tomato ketchup contains 190 milligrams of salt (sodium) and 4.0 grams of sugar. Although many parents think 4.0 of sugar is a low quantity, it can still increase the risk of diabetes. Tomatoes contain natural sugar, which is relatively harmless to children, but much of the sweetness comes from the added sugar that can elevate the risk.
Final Words
Mayonnaise is a high-fat condiment made of oil, egg yolk (emulsifier), vinegar, spices, and flavors of mustard, salt, or sugar. Likewise, Ketchup is a tangy condiment made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, spices, and seasonings.
Although people use different spices and flavors, the most common ones are cloves, onions, garlic, mustard, cumin, and coriander. Both Mayonnaise and Ketchup can be served in smaller quantities occasionally.
We recommend choosing nutrient-rich foods, such as apple banana, apricot, blueberries and avocado. Your child’s optimal health and wellbeing is your responsibility, so don’t risk it with unhealthy food choices like Mayonnaise and Ketchup.
