How To Introduce Sesame

Introducing Sesame

Sesame seeds are a wonderful food to include in your little one’s diet when starting solids.

They are incredibly easy to sprinkle onto foods, mix into dips for a nutrition boost, or use to coat slippery finger foods to help with grip — and we love that!

Nutrition

These tiny little seeds are filled to the brim with nutrition, including:

• Protein

• Fibre (great for gut health and keeping those bowels moving)

• Healthy fats

• B vitamins

• Folate

• Calcium

• Iron

• Zinc

• Other important minerals and antioxidants

Pretty impressive for something so small!

Is Sesame an Allergen?

Yes — sesame is considered a top 9 allergen.

For this reason, it should be introduced in a way that allows you to monitor for any reactions.

While introducing allergens can feel a little nerve-wracking, it’s helpful to remember that most babies will not have a food allergy — in fact, around 90% won’t.

If you’re unsure about how to introduce or monitor allergens, you can refer to our guide on introducing allergen foods in the Solids Library.

How to Serve Sesame

The great thing about sesame seeds is that they are not a choking hazard, and the way you serve them doesn’t need to be modified based on age or development.

This means you can introduce sesame as soon as your baby starts solids.

Easy Ways to Include Sesame

• Roll slippery foods like avocado, mango or pear in sesame seeds

• Hummus — a great option that combines sesame (tahini) with chickpeas for an extra nutrition boost

• Tahini — a pantry staple for easy and regular sesame exposure

• Stir into porridge, sprinkle on cereal or add into muffins

• Mix into yoghurt with peanut butter and a squeeze of lemon for a quick “baby satay” dipping sauce

A Simple Tip

Tahini is one of the easiest ways to keep sesame in your baby’s diet. It mixes well into both sweet and savoury foods and is a simple way to boost protein, iron and calcium.