My 16-Month-old Wants to Eat Spices from the Jar

My daughter, when she was crawling all over, found some onion tops we had accidentally left on the floor after picking onions in the garden. She had a blast chewing on them, tears streaming down her face! I think it's pretty normal for these young children, who are just learning about flavors and other senses, to enjoy the sensation of new and exciting flavors. Too bad this doesn't always inspire them to want to eat new foods when they're actually sitting at the table for meals! :)

My daughter does this too - she's even tried dried onion flakes, lemon pepper, coffee grounds and garlic powder. She even loves plain flour - eats it by the spoonful every time I bake! I figure it can't hurt her, so whatever!!! These are the quirky things we need to write down so we remember them when the little ones are grown! Have a great Mother's Day!

My now 6 year old son used to do they same thing.I told the Dr. about it just to be safe and he told me that it is mostley curiousity and experiementing with tastes. That I should just add miniamal spices to his food if he enjoyed it but not to allow him to eat whole spices cause most spices are extremely strong and potant and can some can be deadly such as nutmeg in excessive doses is leathal and kills. I didn't know that about spices but they way the Dr. put it to me was spices and herbs are good just like medications are but if you have too much or the wrong combination it can hurt you too just as if you overdosed or took a bad combination of meds. That was enough for me to limit his spice raiding so just be careful and take care of your little one. Try giving your little one some ethnic foods with various spices that way all you'll have to worry about are some smelly diapers.

Hi F.,
My kids also loved the spice cupboard...actually they still do and they are 8 & 11 now. And they also eat lettuce and peas and more, straight out of the garden. We are a family that loves to cook and eat well. It sounds like you are off on the right track of showing your daughter about the joy of good food. I just have a suggestion. Just as children under 2 should not eat nuts because their stomachs can't digest them yet, they also shouldn't eat some of the whole spices such as seeds, or anything that comes in a hard ball. Also, I had to teach my girls(when they were very young) that we only eat things out of the garden area. They were too young to recognize different plants accurately so instead I just told them that the only safe things to eat are in the garden (that was clearly seperated from the rest of the yard plants). That way I didn't have to be as worried that they would eat something dangerous when we went hiking or something. Have fun with your inquisitive little one!!
B.

Wow, maybe she'll be a chef or something. I have noticed my son likes strong tasting things too--like tabasco--and I have heard that young children have sensitive taste buds and can "taste" more than adults. Anyway, I don't see how it can hurt her to eat spices; I would just avoid letting her have too much of the ones that contain salt, and for God's sake, don't let her develop a taste for Saffron! That'll put you in the poor house! :)

i don't know but that cool! maybe she'll grow up yo be a chef

My kids haven't wanted to try spices, but another comment reminded me that my son, when he was 8-9 months old, got into our salsa jar and almost ate the whole thing! He cried when I took it away. I was afraid it would give him a tummy ache (it did, but not very bad) or that he'd cry when the burn sunk in. But he loved salsa on everything up until about a year ago (he's 4 now.) I remember one time we went to the inlaws' for dinner. Their cooking is rather bland compared to mine, and we were having what they called enchiladas. It was basically unseasoned ground beef overflowing from a tortilla, with a few drops of enchilada sauce. I wasn't looking forward to downing it, but was trying to be polite. My son tried one bite and asked, "Grandma, do you have any salsa?" He saved me!
My second son loves Hot Tamales. He feels the burn and acts like his mouth is on fire, but then begs for more.
I don't see that it could be a problem, but if you have expensive spices, you might want to buy some cheaper ones at WalMart (for the basic ones) or Big Lots (they have harder to find ones, but are more expensive) for your daughter to dip into. They're 2 for a dollar at WalMart.

I can not say about the spice, but my son at about 18 to 24 mos. put his hand in hot sauce at the restaurant.Before I could clean it off he put his hand in his mouth. He loved it and has been eating it on all foods.
Nailsbydj

There are some people who just like stronger flavors, and others that prefer bland. My son was wild about any kind of condiments from one and on. (Still does at 15.) One day he requested cooked carrots for breakfast.. with ketchup on them!I would even have straight vinegar on salad as a very young girl. She probably just loves pungent flavors.

My 4 year old used to eat dirt, she loved to lick the bottom of peoples shoes....gross! We had to hide them, if dirt came in the house she would lick the floor, and if she was outside she was in heaven, we talked to the Doc and he wasn't concerned he said she would outgrow it and she did. Today she hates to have dirt in her mouth, I guess if kids can like dirt then they can like spices, at least if you foster it right she will have a wide range of foods to like.

F.,
You might want to check with your doctor, but as far as I know spices will not harm your child, as long as it is done in moderation.
It is great that she is curious enough to try the spices.
Perhaps it is time for you to spice up her food. The same is true about the veggies. As long as there is no choking hazard I feel its great to encourage this healthy choice.
With Joy, C.

My son who wil be three next week loves coffee beans! (yuck) We have to hide them from him. Although we should be happy he and your daughter like food items. I have a 20 month old daughter who will eat vaseline, baby lotion, baby soap and leave in hair conditioner. Unfortunately she has learned how to open doors too and we have to really watch or she'll let herself into the bathroom and feast away!