Miso is rich in nutrients that are essential for the growth, development, health benefits of any adult. However, miso has a high concentration of sodium ions, making it risky for people with an underlying condition such as hypertension.
A baby’s vital organs, such as a kidney and heart, are not fully developed, making it hard for them to get rid of toxic substances like sodium ions. So, is it safe for a baby to consume miso?
Can babies eat miso? No, babies should not eat miso. It is best for a baby to wait until after the first birthday due to the high amount of salt content. The excess sodium can lead to hypernatremia, which is too much salt in the blood resulting in a water imbalance.
When introducing miso, it’s advisable to combine with other foods like tofu, rice, veggies and then minimize the serving size in the recipe.
Miso is rich in protein and other micronutrients such as vitamin B, vitamin E and essential minerals such as fiber and calcium, which offer health benefits that every child needs like healthy gut bacteria to boost immunity, improve digestion, formation of strong bones, formations of strong muscles, reduce the risk of heart disease.
However, it’s a matter one needs to be cautious about it before giving a serving of miso to a child. Miso recipes include a lot of salts that can result in a high concentration of sodium ions in the, which is extremely difficult for a baby’s body to properly eliminate.
Furthermore, miso is typically derived from soybeans, and most babies are allergic to soy products. Introducing miso to early in childhood development can trigger a series allergies resulting in cardiovascular diseases like blood pressure and obesity.
Answered below are frequently asked questions about giving miso to a baby. This article discusses ways to safely introduce miso to a baby.
Can a baby eat miso?
It depends on age and the diet restriction of a child. Provided the kid is one year and above, consuming miso is 100% healthy due to its high nutrition value, probiotic gut health and nutrients essential for growth and development.
However, babies under seven months can be greatly affected by miso due to sodium ion concentration that can result in cardiovascular diseases related to blood pressure since the rate of metabolism is low to eliminate the associated levels of salt.
Furthermore, many babies are sensitive to fermented and soy foods, and miso is no exception.
When starting out with a baby that is older than 1 year old, it’s advisable to give the kid a tiny drop of miso to observe the body’s reaction. Gradually increase the quantity for future servings as their body becomes familiar with the fermented food.
Nonetheless, as long as miso is consumed in a moderate amount and the baby does not fall under any age and diet category discussed, miso is a dish to include in a child’s diet. There are a number of macro and micronutrients including probiotics that are essential in the growth of a child, especially in the formation of strong bones, muscles and healthy gut biome.
What age is miso soup for?
It is not recommended to serve miso to anyone under the age of one year old. Babies and infants are unable to process sodium in their digestive system, and the resulting toxins build up and overwhelm their small body.
At a young age even passed one year, the amount of miso consumed must be limited since its extremely rich in sodium ions that can trigger water-body imbalance resulting in hypernatremia.
Due to ease in the digestion of miso soup, most recipes for kids’ recommend using boiled water as part of the ingredients. Moreover, if the kid shows any sign of allergic reaction after consuming miso, stop feeding and immediately consult a medical professional for an expert opinion.
How to introduce miso to babies
Only introduce miso to babies that do not have soy allergy and beyond 1 year old.
The best time to introduce miso to babies is in the morning or early afternoon to continue checking for signs of abnormal reactions once the baby consumes it.
Before introducing the baby to the miso dish, test for reactions with other fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir, and also soy-based foods like tofu or soy milk.
At the start, give a tiny amount to control the sodium intake since toddlers at this age may experience sensitivity after consuming soy products. With a very small amount, it is much easier to see how the baby reacts to the dish.
The intolerance may not be instant, so it’s advisable to give plenty of time between servings. If the baby doesn’t show any sign of an allergic reaction, then introduce small amounts of miso and increase the quantity gradually for multiple days in a row.
The digestion system of a baby at an early age can experience difficulties while synthesizing miso paste. So it’s recommended to supplement the dish with boiled water to make the ferment lighter for easy digestion and absorption.
Go for a brand that has as low salt content as possible to reduce the accumulation of sodium ions since the metabolism rate of young kids is extremely slow. Kids of such age are sensitive to high concentrations of salt, and their bod is not able to metabolize or properly remove the toxins.
In general, it’s advisable not to boil the miso directly since it can nullify the probiotic nutrients. However, boiling the miso the first few times it is served may help their body slowly adjust before you give them a gentle broth with miso stirred in to finish for maximum beneficial bacteria.
Miso for Babies: Conclusion
Giving miso to a baby can be a bit complicated since their body will react differently after consuming the fermented food. The main concern rises in relation to high salt content in miso paste.
Miso is one of the most nutritious foods served to promote a healthy gut. But the ferment is prepared with salt, which doesn’t work well with babies as their body is not fully developed enough to process the high concentration.
However, the fermented food contains a very high concentration of salt and babies are not able to process the sodium properly. It is important to wait until the baby is at least 1 year old before introducing miso into the diet.
Serve the baby ferments like yogurt and soy based foods like soy milk before introducing the baby to miso. If they react sensitively, there is a likelihood the same will happen when consuming miso.
After the baby is 1 year old, slowly introduce miso in small portions that are mixed with other foods to reduce concentration levels. Add a side of rice and vegetables to make a healthy complete nutritious meal for your baby.
It is even ok to boil the miso in a cup of water for the first few servings and then decrease the heat levels to maintain the healthy probiotic nutrients.
When starting out, only give the baby a tiny amount and gradually increase the serving size over the next few days. Allergens should also be fed consecutively over a few days in a row to incrementally increase exposure and cautiously check the severity of sensitivity.