Can Babies Eat Vegemite?
Vegemite is a thick, dark brown, spreadable Australian product, made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract combined with different vegetables and with spice additives. It was first made by Cyril Callister in Melbourne in 1922. Vegemite is a similar food to the British Marmite, New Zealand Marmite or Swiss Cenovis. It is a vegan product, with a salty, slightly bitter, malty and with an umami flavor. It is a spread ideal for sandwiches, toasts, cracker biscuits. It is also used as a filling for some pastries. Vegemite is used in foods like pasta, pizzas, casseroles, burgers and even ice creams.
Vegemite is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B9. It has no fat, or added sugar, but it is high in sodium. It has no animal content, so it is also a vegan product.
How Bad Is Vegemite?
Vegemite has a peculiar taste, but it is its sodium content, which makes it bad in an unhealthy way. It is especially unhealthy for babies, whose kidneys cannot cope with too much salt. Vegemite is not recommended to be given to babies under the age of 1 year old. When parents want to introduce this product into their babies’ diet, they should just scrape it on toast or use just a little bit of it in foods.
Vegemite Spaghetti
Ingredients: 375g thin spaghetti, 50g butter, 1 tbsp Vegemite.
Pour water into a large pot, put some salt into it, bring it to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Save a cup of the water and drain the pasta into a colander. Return the pot to the heat and melt the butter in it. Put the Vegemite into the butter with a little pasta water and mix well. Put the pasta back into the pot and stir in order to coat it in the sauce. Serve while warm.
FAQ
What is vegemite?
Vegemite is an Australian dark brown colored, thick textured, very salty spread used especially in sandwiches and toasts.
How healthy is vegemite?
Vegemite is an excellent source of vitamins B, but it is high in salt, which makes it less healthy.
When can you start giving vegemite to your baby?
You can start introducing Vegemite to your baby’s diet only in small amounts and only after the age of 1 year old.
The risks of giving vegemite to your baby?
The high salt levels in Vegemite can affect your baby’s kidney functions.