In countless Indian kitchens, the first taste of solid food for a baby is marked by a pinch of salt or a sprinkle of sugar — a gesture steeped in warmth, family tradition, and cultural pride. But pediatricians are increasingly urging parents to break from this custom, warning that even tiny amounts of added salt or sugar can have lasting health consequences.
Medical guidelines from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend avoiding both for at least the first year. The reasoning is simple: newborn kidneys cannot process excess sodium, and early exposure to sugar can shape a child’s taste preferences — and health risks — for life.
The Case Against Salt
While elders may view salt as harmless in small doses, doctors caution that the sodium already present in breast milk or formula is more than enough for an infant’s needs. Excess salt, they warn, can strain immature kidneys and set the stage for hypertension later in life.
The Sugar Trap
Introducing sugar early can create a strong preference for sweet flavors, making it harder for children to accept natural tastes as they grow. More troubling, pediatricians link early sugar exposure to childhood obesity, dental decay, and a greater risk of metabolic diseases.
Where Tradition and Science Collide
For many families, offering a taste of sweet or salty food is as much a social rite as it is a nutritional choice. But, says Dr. Rajiv Chhabra of Artemis Hospitals, “The diets of earlier generations were simpler. Today’s children are surrounded by processed foods. The need for caution is greater than ever.”
Neonatologist Dr. Parimala V. Thirumalesh of Aster CMI Hospital adds that sugary foods can displace nutrient-rich options, disrupt sleep, and destabilize blood sugar.
A Modern Feeding Approach
Doctors recommend introducing babies to the natural flavors of vegetables, fruits, and grains before seasoning them. For families reluctant to abandon tradition, they suggest substituting with mashed banana instead of jaggery, or using mild spices rather than salt.
“Parents want the best for their children,” Dr. Chhabra says. “Sometimes, that means rewriting tradition in the light of science.”