Is it really necessary to add salt to complementary foods?

From around the second half of the first year of life, it’s time to introduce complementary feeding. As nutritional quality plays a key role in supporting healthy physiological development, particularly during infancy and early childhood, a varied and nutrient-rich diet is essential. When it comes to taste, parents and caregivers often question the perceived blandness of complementary foods and wonder whether adding salt could enhance the flavour. But is it really necessary to add salt to complementary foods?

In fact, it is neither necessary nor recommended and should be avoided during the first year of life.

Infants should be gradually introduced to a great variety of foods and flavours, including bitter vegetables as early sensory experiences can influence later taste preferences and food choices. This is particularly desirable regarding the acceptance of vegetables and fruits. However, early flavour imprinting towards salty – as well as sweet – tastes should be prevented. Therefore, added salt should be avoided – regardless of whether complementary foods are homemade or commercially prepared. In addition, high salt intake can put a strain on the still immature kidneys of infants.

As also emphasized by ESPGHAN: “free sugars and added salt should be avoided”.