5 Reasons Why You Should Not Encourage Your Kid's Love for Ketchup

Kids love ketchup. But did you know that it is not all that healthy? Here's why it may not be a good idea.

Hear us out, ketchup may be doing more harm than good.

Does your kid put ketchup on the food they eat? It may be time to pry the bottle away from their eager hands in order to get them started on healthier eating habits.

It’s a staple in every household, yes. And, it’s certainly been part of many parents’ own childhood but perhaps it’s time to lessen your family’s consumption of the beloved condiment, which is no longer a flavour enhancer, it’s become a “flavour-masker”.

According to Euromonitor, the ketchup market is worth around $800 million, which falls in 3rd place behind mayo and salsa (year, we were fairly surprised too).

It may be low in calories and affordable but more and more studies have found that the magical red sauce may not exactly good for us.

Here are five reasons why you should rethink your daily ketchup consumption.

1. It’s high in sodium

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According to the Food Network, consuming eight tablespoons of ketchup is enough for you to reach your sodium quota for the day.

Now, think back on how much ketchup you allow your kids by giving them the freedom to finish a whole bottle if they wanted to. A good alternative would be salsa or mustard; you could also go condiment-free, if possible!

2. It’s loaded with high fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been found to cause obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

According to Hungry for Change, “most bottled ketchup consist basically of overcooked tomatoes, water, and a large bolus of sugar, usually as some form of genetically engineered corn syrup.”

3. It’s high in sugar

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It may not seem like much but keep in mind that 1/4 of each bottle of ketchup is made up of sugar. “Just one tablespoon of commercially prepared ketchup typically contains four grams of sugar,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola in Hungry For Change.

4. It’s messy

Let’s face it: ketchup often makes post-meal clean up a hassle. This may not be a pressing health concern, but it sure would make any parent’s life easier to not have to clean out ketchup stains from clothes or furniture.

5. It makes everything taste like ketchup

Image source: iStock

Drowning every meal in ketchup doesn’t just pose certain health risks, it robs your kids from experiencing other culinary flavours.

Ketchup can definitely be a wonderful addition to your healthy diet in moderation, of course. In fact, you can even make your own ketchup at home! This is an excellent way to make sure there are no excess harmful ingredients in it. Get the full recipe here.

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

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Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

child healthketchup