Soy Sauce

Dishes that contain soy sauce as an ingredient may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. While soy sauce is high in sodium, a taste here and there of a dish containing soy sauce is fine as part of a varied diet. Note that soy sauce contains common allergens, including soy and often wheat. 

While there are many types of soy sauce, widely available styles are based in ancient East Asian culinary practices. Traditionally, soybeans and wheat are cooked, then mashed together along with a particular strain of mold. This process kickstarts fermentation, which produces glutamic acid, the source of that rich, umami flavor also found in broths, mushrooms, and other foods. From there, salt, water, and a yeast mixture are added, and after further aging, the resulting liquid is strained and pasteurized.

While soy sauce is not usually eaten in nutritionally significant amounts, it does offer small amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids, acids, and antioxidants, as well as prebiotics to support baby’s flourishing gut microbiome.

While soy sauce is high in sodium, the amount of sodium that babies eat tends to be low as they learn the skills to feed themselves. Some sodium is important for supporting baby’s electrolyte balance, hydration, and movement. While many health organizations recommend holding or reducing salt in food shared with baby, recent reviews of literature suggest that this may not be necessary. Furthermore, sharing family meals, even if they contain salt, has its benefits: baby has opportunities to explore a wider variety of food, share their family food culture, and practice eating a variety of textures.

If you would like to reduce sodium levels in a family meal, you can consider:

Yes. Soy sauce is made from soy and often contains wheat, both of which are common food allergens. That said, some individuals with allergies to soy protein or wheat are able to tolerate soy sauce in moderation. If baby has a known allergy to soy or wheat, discuss with your allergy specialist before introducing soy sauce.

If a child is allergic to wheat, but tolerates soy, they may be able to safely consume a wheat-free soy sauce, such as tamari. Be sure to read labels carefully to ensure that the child’s allergen is not on the ingredient list.

Prior to sharing soy sauce with a child, it is important to introduce soy and wheat (and any other common allergens in the sauce) and rule them out as an allergy. This way, when you are ready to offer soy sauce, you will be confident that the child has already safely eaten soy, wheat, and any other common food allergens in the sauce. This approach will also help you identify which food is responsible if the child has an allergic reaction when eating a dish that contains soy sauce combined with other ingredients.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

No. Soy sauce 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 soy sauce in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. 

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