Fermented Foods for Infant and Young Children

Sauerkraut is packed with vitamins B, C, and K—essential nutrients to power many functions within your baby’s developing body.

Because our sauerkraut is fermented and also low in sodium, it offers essential bacteria (probiotics) that helps to diversify your baby’s gut microbiome, where the majority of the immune system originates. Since babies are born with microbiome DNA—but not the bacteria themselves—it’s important to help cultivate friendly flora in their gastrointestinal tracts. 

Introducing kids to fermented food

Fermented foods usually have a sour taste. Think sauerkraut, which is German for “sour cabbage”. The cause of the sourness is the creation of lactic acid produced during the fermentation process. 

The success of the fermentation depends on creating the right anaerobic (no oxygen) environment for the good bacteria, the lactobacillus amongst others. This converts the sugars into lactic acid with the trademark sour taste.

Even in Western cultures, children used to eat fermented foods as part of their diet. However, this has shifted in recent years as more and more processed, sugary foods have entered children’s diets. A sour taste is becoming less common and children may well be not familiar with the taste, at least in countries such as Australia and the US.

But how to introduce children to the sour taste of fermented foods such as sauerkraut?

Make sure you introduce the new tastes slowly and gently into their diet. No need to rush the kids into eating fermented foods such as sauerkraut or yoghurt. The new taste may be overwhelming to their young palates, particularly if they haven’t tried these unfamiliar-tasting foods before. Increase the amount gradually as they become more used to the flavor. If they are young babes, try dipping your finger in a jar of sauerkraut to introduce them to the taste at an early age and build on these beginnings.

Add to existing food

No need to make the kids eat sauerkraut from their plate. What about adding to their existing food? If your child enjoys salad, try adding a small amount of sauerkraut to the dish. Just a spoonful will be enough to start. Hopefully, they won’t notice a thing!

Introducing fermented foods such as sauerkraut to children may seem adventurous and interesting. But by introducing them to the sour flavor gradually, you stand a high degree of success.

Keeping children’s immune system supported during the COVID-19 pandemic is paramount for their good health. However, feeding them fermented foods is not intended as complete protection against the virus. Please observe the advice of medical experts, wear face masks where appropriate and observe safe distancing. 

Probiotic foods like sauerkraut are the best thing for your baby as they contain healthy fat and bacteria which most commonly fed foods lack. In that way sauerkraut can be considered as a “food medicine” for children as they not only it helps them develop varied taste but also at the same time sauerkraut aids in the process of digestion, strengthens the immunity of the child and increases the overall level of nutrients. Sauerkraut is recommended for children who are born c-section, children who are given antibiotics, the ones suffering from gas, constipation and other tummy troubles. Sauerkraut fills your baby’s gut with the essential bacteria which helps him/her to digest the foods and have a healthy metabolism. Thus it makes a ideal choice for you to introduce sauerkraut to your child and with no apparent side effects sauerkraut is the safest bet.

Fermented foods like sauerkraut offers several health benefits to your little one.

Boosts-Up Energy Level: The level of iron contented in sauerkrauts (cabbages) is likely to boost –up the overall energy level of your child as it increases blood circulation and enhances the growth of the red-blood cells in your child.

Improves Digestion: The good bacteria present in sauerkraut is known to improve the digestive health of your child and decreases chances of gas formation and constipation along with other tummy related problems.

Ensures a Healthy Heart: All the processed food that your child eats have a negative impact on his/her heart and in the long run they might even cause serious damages. However, consumption of fermented foods like sauerkraut can actually ensure a healthy heart of your child as sauerkraut is rich in fiber that ensures healthy functioning of your child’s organs.

Strengthens Immunity: Sauerkrauts are rich in Vitamin C and that helps your child to fight-off common cold & cough and tendency of suffering from regular fever. Sauerkraut contains around 35% of the required amount of Vitamin C, which your child must consume, along with other minerals which boosts the immunity.

Healthy eye & skin: Sauerkraut is rich in Vitamin C along with a considerable amount of Vitamin A. These essential vitamins act as antioxidants and help your child relish a healthy skin and eyes.

Strengthens Bone: The Vitamin K content along with other essential minerals in sauerkraut helps in the formation of bones in the early developmental stages of your child.