Homemade or Store-bought Hummus for Baby
Homemade or Store-bought Hummus for Baby
A very popular question we get from parents is: “Can I give store-bought hummus to my 6 month old baby who is doing Baby Led Weaning (BLW)?”
Hummus is a chickpea dip that is a puréed texture. Parents want to give it to their baby since it’s easy to offer on a pre-filled spoon or spread on another food, such as a piece of toast.
Offering hummus is great as it contains iron. In addition, hummus is usually prepared with lemon juice that contains vitamin C, which helps with the absorption of iron. On the other hand, some parents are worried because the store-bought hummus contains added salt and wonder if it is too salty for their baby.
Is store-bought hummus too salty for a baby?
Generally, it is not recommended to offer salted foods to a baby less than 12 months. However, if we read the nutritional label, we see that 2 tbsp (30ml) of store-bought hummus (Fontaine Santé with caramelised onions) contains 110 mg of sodium.
The maximum recommended sodium intake per day for babies 7 to 12 months is 370 mg. It is certain that baby will eat other foods that contain a little salt during the day.
Breast milk and baby formula both contain sodium (about 130 mg per day).
If a baby eats 1 tbsp (15 ml) of store-bought hummus, they would obtain about 55 mg of sodium + 130 mg of sodium from his milk = 185 mg of sodium total (well below 370 mg per day).
It is also recommended to read the ingredient list to make sure that there are no "mystery" ingredients, depending on the type of hummus you choose (ex for potential allergens)
All in all, you can advise your clients that offering store-bought hummus is not a problem -in fact it can be more practical!
Why prepare homemade hummus?
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On the other hand, if your clients enjoy cooking and would like to prepare their own it is cheaper and very simple.
In addition, portions can be kept in the freezer for 3 months.
What I like about making homemade hummus is that I can prepare it without salt for the baby, then simply add salt for the rest of the family members. Also, I use minimal ingredients (chickpeas, freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, fresh garlic) and I know exactly where they come from and what is in it.
The taste of the hummus can also be adjusted depending on the spices that are available.
I created a recipe without key allergens (so without sesame butter/tahini) so that this recipe is suitable for all babies. It’s also vegan! I also wanted to mention that I do not use water in this recipe (just olive oil) to maximize the intake of good fats.
Homemade hummus recipe for babies
Ingredients
1 can (540 ml / 19 oz) chickpeas no salt added, rinsed and drained
The juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) of cumin
In your blender, add the chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Blend into a smooth purée. As simple as that!
The Importance of Iron for Babies
The iron requirements of babies 7 to 12 months old are enormous. Legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and black beans contain iron, but these foods tend to be small, round, and hard, which is a choking hazard for babies. Offering hummus on a pre-filled spoon that baby themselves bring to their mouth or serving them as spreads on other foods can be good options for your clients.