Isn’t it nice to be able to settle your child in his chair with a plate of food, and then sit down in your own chair with your own plate while he feeds himself independently?
Even when your baby is big enough to feed himself, there are still foods that aren’t entirely safe. Some are choking hazards, and some contain ingredients your baby’s body isn’t yet ready for right now.
Some deli meats are on the list. Experts advise avoiding deli meats in the first year and employing specific cautions with them thereafter. So when can toddlers have lunch meat? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Are Deli Meats Different?
Compared to meats prepared at home, deli meats tend to be higher in preservatives, specifically nitrates. They’re more highly processed and, too many times, have been contaminated with food-borne illnesses.
For example, Solid Starts says ham can be introduced when your baby is ready to eat solids. However, they recommend waiting until later to introduce deli ham due to the risk of contaminants like salmonella or listeria.
By contrast, ham prepared at home should be safer since cooking ham (to an internal temperature of at least 165°F) kills listeria and salmonella. Even when cooked, avoid giving children under one year old any food with honey, including honey-baked ham.
Why Are Nitrates A Concern?
We are all exposed daily to substances and chemicals that can cause cancer. These include sunlight, car exhaust, alcohol, secondhand tobacco smoke, and various food additives.
We recognize that it’s virtually impossible to escape all of these substances in modern life entirely. Still, we also make conscious decisions to limit how much we expose ourselves, and especially our infants.
Nitrates are one of these substances. They help preserve foods and lengthen shelf life but are linked to certain cancers. Contemporary Pediatrics says:
“Nitrates and nitrites themselves do not cause cancer, but we know that when nitrites combine with the amines in meat, they create nitrosamines, which some studies have found to be carcinogenic…Until we fully understand the link between processed meats and cancer, moderation is key.”
Part of moderation in children is delaying how soon we offer these products. Because of nitrates and sodium content, EasyBites advises waiting until your child is at least one year old before exposing them to deli meats.
The More Processed The Deli Meat, The Bigger The Concern
Aside from potential carcinogens, the Cleveland Clinic warns that highly processed meats, such as bologna, hot dogs, and deli meats, are simply less healthy options for your child.
“They’re high in calories, low in protein and — in the case of mechanically separated meats — use undesirable parts of the animal as filler.”
That means that if you plan to feed your child a nice sandwich, you can go healthier by eliminating as much processing and preservative-loading as possible.
If possible, this means cooking your turkey or roast at home and slicing it for sandwiches, but if you’re buying prepared meats, buying them sliced fresh from the deli is still a fresher and lower-preservative option than packaged meats.
It’s also best to seek leaner cuts since they’ll have a better nutrient-to-fat ratio.
Reheating Deli Meats At Home Can Help Avoid Illness
One safety concern of deli meats — contaminants like salmonella and listeria — can be mitigated by heating the meat again at home, ensuring it reaches an internal temp of at least 165°F.
It’s a wise idea for any consumer, but especially for your toddler or small child since these food-borne illnesses can be severe and harmful to their tiny bodies.
This won’t negate other concerns, like the sodium content and potential carcinogenic nature, but it can help avoid sickness from contaminated meats.
Fraser Health advises parents not to serve deli meats, hot dogs, or smoked seafood products to children under 2 years old unless they’ve been reheated to an internal temp high enough to kill bacteria.
So, When Can My Toddler Have Deli Meat?
Because of sodium content and possible carcinogens, giving your child any deli meat before they are a year old is not advised.
Between one and two years old, it’s recommended that you only give these meats in small amounts, choose the least-processed options possible, and reheat the meats to an internal temperature of 165°F+ before serving.
Then, everyone, regardless of age, should choose fresh meats rather than packaged ones when possible and limit the consumption of products heavy on preservatives. Reheating to an internal temp that kills off bacteria is always a good idea, as is keeping an eye out for any recalls or outbreaks of foodborne illness.