Hummus

No. Hummus presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve hummus in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Yes. Hummus commonly contains sesame, a common food allergen, in the form of sesame seed paste, also known as tahini. While not considered a common allergen in the United States, chickpeas are a common allergen in India and Spain. Reactions can occasionally be severe and in some cases have been reported to be triggered by exercise.

Depending on the specific product or recipe, hummus may also contain other common allergens, such as tree nuts. Read the ingredients list before serving hummus and make sure any common allergens in the food have been safely introduced before sharing.

Yes. Depending on the specific type, hummus may contain chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and seasonings, ingredients that provide plant-based protein, iron, fiber, fats, as well as important minerals like folate and zinc. Together, these nutrients support baby’s growth, energy needs, digestion, and more. 

Some store-bought hummus can be high in sodium, but sharing meals, even if those meals contain some salt, can bring baby into their family food culture as soon as they are ready to start solids, which has other benefits. Family meals are opportunities for baby to explore a wide variety of food, practice eating food with different colors, flavors, and textures, and get comfortable with food that you like to eat. If you’d like to reduce baby’s sodium intake, opt for low-sodium products or making hummus at home.

Yes. While some store-bought hummus has moderate to high levels of sodium, sharing with baby on occasion is not a cause for concern. If you’d like to reduce baby’s sodium intake when sharing hummus, opt for low-sodium varieties or make your own hummus at home, when possible. Make sure to check ingredient labels for common allergens before serving store-bought hummus.

It can, but this is not a cause for concern. Chickpeas are high in fiber, which can cause temporary gas as baby’s digestive system adjusts. This is normal and usually improves with small, regular servings of high-fiber foods.