9 Flavor -- Do babies like spicy foods?
Description
This article is from the Solid Food for Infants FAQ, by David M. Poduska poduska@cis.ohio-state.edu with numerous contributions by others.
9 Flavor -- Do babies like spicy foods?
From: ownes@gargoyle.uchicago.edu
> Adults like spices w/chicken--do babies really LIKE unspiced foods,
> or are spices bad for babies?
One reason we need to spice chicken is that we buy the
nationally-advertised factory-produced stuff that doesn't really taste
like chicken. Look for locally-raised chicken -- maybe in a Kosher
butcher or a health-food store. Babies have very subtle taste buds.
What seems hopelessly bland to us is full of novelty to them. Make
your baby's food out of fresh, high-quality and flavorful stuff and
don't overwhelm them with spices.
One thing to avoid is salt --- it is reputed to put an unnecessary
load on babies' kidneys, and they seem quite happy without it.
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From: jcook@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Joanne Cook)
>We gave Elizabeth some Gerber baby food 2nd foods chicken--UGGGGHHH!!!
>It stinks, the texture is that of sandy water, and it doesn't even taste
>much like chicken. She doesn't think much of it.
I agree - the babyfoods meats and mixed dinners are disgusting.
>Can one make chicken & puree for babies? Adults like spices w/chicken--
>do babies really LIKE unspiced foods, or are spices bad for babies?
Weelll, the first real food that Colin had (aside from single fruits/veg
purees) was a pasta/chicken/leek/mushroom thing that I was eating - gave him a
taste, figuring he'd hate it, and he wolfed down about 1/3 cup - I was
mashing as fast as he was eating. The next night was a thai chicken/coconut
milk/lemongrass sort of curry, not terribly hot, but very spicy - loved it.
He was about 8 months old at the time.
Now he's almost 14 months, and loves anything spicy/hot/garlicky, and seems
to be thriving. We're going through the no veggies phase, but he will eat
as much guacamole as offered (hey, I want _some_ for myself) and fresh
tomato salsa. His digestive system seems impervious to these assaults and he's
gaining weight nicely - he was early, only 5 lb, and is now up to 23 - yay!
So my .02 would be to try it out with Amy and see if she likes spicy food,
and if it adversely affects her, then wait a month or so, and try again.
Colin's fine - his grandmothers, on the other hand, are utterly horrified
:-)
Joanne Cook
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