Cheese Types That Are Kid-Approved Favorites

Cheese is a nutritious food that can be introduced to babies as soon as they start solids, typically around 6 months of age. It is a good source of protein, fat, calcium, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for growth, development, and brain function. However, when offering cheese to babies, it is important to ensure that it is pasteurized to minimize the risk of foodborne illness, and to avoid hard or large chunks of cheese to prevent choking hazards.

So, what kind of cheese do kids like best? While there is no definitive answer, some popular options for babies and toddlers include soft cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and mild cheddar. These cheeses are not only easier for young children to chew and swallow but also tend to have lower sodium content, which is important as high sodium intake is not recommended for infants and toddlers.

Soft cheeses are a good starting point

Soft cheeses are similar in texture to thick baby foods, making them easier for young children to ingest. They are also less likely to pose a choking hazard than harder cheeses, which can be firm and springy, forming a sticky mass in the mouth.

When choosing soft cheeses, opt for those that are mild in flavour, such as mozzarella or cheddar. These familiar, mild flavours are more approachable for young palates. You can also choose between full-fat and low-fat options, depending on your child's dietary needs. Full-fat cheeses are recommended for babies under two years old, as they need the fat for growth and brain development.

Once your child is ready for finger foods, you can offer soft cheese crumbles or shreds. This is usually a suitable option for babies around nine months old.

It is important to note that not all soft cheeses are suitable for children. Avoid soft, aged, or mold-ripened cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and bacteria-ripened goat cheese. These types of cheese may contain Listeria, a harmful bacterium that can cause food poisoning. Instead, opt for pasteurized soft cheeses to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Avoid choking hazards

Cheese is a nutritious food to offer your child. However, it can also be a choking hazard. To avoid this, there are several precautions you can take when serving cheese to children.

Firstly, it is important to prepare and serve cheese in an age-appropriate way. Avoid serving large chunks of cheese, such as cheese cubes or string cheese, as these can pose a choking risk. Instead, cut the cheese into thin strips or small, manageable bites that are easier for children to chew and swallow. You can also shred the cheese or buy pre-shredded cheese for finger food practice. If serving melted cheese, such as mozzarella, be sure to cut it into small pieces to prevent stringy pieces from becoming a choking hazard.

Additionally, it is recommended to avoid serving cheese on-the-go, such as in a stroller or car seat, as this can increase the risk of choking. Always ensure your child is sitting up and in a safe eating environment while consuming cheese. Keep mealtimes calm and avoid distractions to help your child focus on eating. It is also crucial to supervise your child at all times while they are eating and to be aware of what they put in their mouth.

By following these precautions, you can help reduce the risk of choking and safely enjoy cheese as part of a healthy and balanced diet for your child.

Cheese and choking risks

Cheese is a nutritious food to offer your child. However, it is important to be aware of the choking risks that come with it. Cheese can be firm and springy, and it can form a sticky mass in the mouth—all qualities that increase choking risk. Young children are still developing a full set of molars, and their understanding of how and when to use them is still developing. Their windpipe, at its narrowest point, is about the diameter of a drinking straw, making it easy for food to get stuck.

To reduce the risk of choking, prepare and serve cheeses in an age-appropriate way. Here are some ways to do this:

• Shred the cheese or buy it pre-shredded for finger food practice.
• Cut the cheese into thin strips for easy chewing.
• Melt the cheese atop vegetables or other foods.
• Mix the cheese into scrambled egg yolks, pancakes, or a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Sprinkle or grate the cheese over pasta dishes.
• Spread cream cheese thinly atop toast or crackers.
• Cut cheese into small pieces or shreds for babies who are still developing their pincer grasp.
• Avoid giving young children large chunks of cheese, such as cheese cubes, as these can pose a choking hazard.
• Cut string cheese into bite-sized pieces instead of chunks.
• Always supervise young children while they are eating, and ensure they are in a safe eating environment.

By following these guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of choking while still offering your child the nutritional benefits of cheese.

Sodium levels in cheese

While cheese is a nutritious food to offer your child, it is important to be mindful of sodium levels in cheese, especially when feeding it to children. Cheese can be high in sodium, but an occasional taste is fine as part of a balanced diet.

Sodium supports hydration, movement, and the balance of electrolytes in the body. However, children's sodium needs are generally low, so it is recommended to only serve high-sodium cheeses like feta or parmesan occasionally. That said, the amount of solid food that a child consumes tends to be low as they practice feeding themselves, so the amount of sodium consumed also tends to be low.

Some cheeses contain far less added salt than others. For example, fresh mozzarella, Swiss cheese, ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, and no-sodium-added cottage cheese are all low-sodium options. Fresh mozzarella cheese, for instance, will only set you back 85 mg of sodium per ounce. Swiss cheese has only 53 mg of sodium per ounce. Ricotta cheese contains 136 mg of sodium per half-cup. Mascarpone cheese is relatively high in fat, but it only contains 15 mg of sodium per tablespoon. Finally, low-fat, no-sodium-added cottage cheese typically contains about 29 mg of sodium per cup.

On the other hand, some cheeses are packed with salt. For instance, a 1/4 cup of feta cheese contains 428 mg of sodium, which is almost one-third of the 1,500 mg limit recommended for people with certain conditions. A slice of cheddar cheese contains about 170 mg of sodium.

Pasteurized cheese is safer

When introducing cheese to your baby's diet, it is important to ensure the cheese is pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off bacteria. In the context of cheese, pasteurization involves heating milk to a high enough temperature to kill potentially disease-causing bacteria. This process is crucial for food safety, especially when it comes to infants and young children.

Unpasteurized cheese, also known as raw cheese, poses a higher risk of foodborne illnesses due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. These bacteria can cause serious health issues, including food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and flu-like symptoms. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to choose pasteurized cheese for children.

In the United States, the sale of unpasteurized cheese is highly regulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned interstate sales of raw milk in 1987, and unpasteurized dairy products can only be sold within certain states. Additionally, these products must be labeled as "raw" and aged for at least 60 days to ensure the harmful bacteria have died off.

When feeding cheese to babies, it is essential to prioritize food safety and choose pasteurized options. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure your child's health and well-being. Pasteurized cheese offers peace of mind without compromising on taste and nutritional benefits.

Some popular cheese options for children include mild cheddar, mozzarella, cottage cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Swiss cheese. These cheeses can be shredded, cut into thin strips, melted, or spread thinly to make them safer and easier for children to consume.

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