It's called liquid gold for a reason! Olive oil makes for a great addition to any kiddo's diet, but if you're a new parent (or just new to the big wide world of EVOO science), you may be asking yourself—can babies join the fun?

The short answer is YES! Tiny humans can enjoy the same tasty health benefits from polyphenol packed squeezes of Sizzle and Drizzle. That being said, following pediatrician recommended timing and slow integration into their diets is the way to go.

When Can Babies First Try Olive Oil?

Olive oil can be safely introduced as soon as your baby is ready to begin eating solid foods, which is generally when they are 6 months old. How you incorporate olive oil into their diet can vary for every family, and it's important to work on your baby's timeline—and not anyone elses! Solid Starts—a team of pediatricians, parents, feeding therapists, and baby experts—is one great resource for learning more about baby-led weaning and how to follow their lead in transitioning to solid foods.

From 6 to 12 months old, you can start adding olive oil to the foods you're already preparing for your family and baby. Whether it's roasting veggies brushed in Sizzle or adding a topping of Drizzle to their ice cream, at this stage you can feel free to use olive oil generously in your cooking for a boost of nutritious goodness. You can also even pour a small amount on a plate or tray to let them try, taste, and finger paint with it on their own.

Once they're 12 to 24 months old, they can really tap into the EVOO sommelier side and try the olive oil directly! You can set up a bowl of olive oil with some bread or your favorite dipping food of choice to let them learn more about the taste and feel of olive oil.

What Makes Olive Oil Healthy For Babies?

People like to say you are what you eat, and for kiddos this is especially true! Extra virgin olive oil is a rich source of antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory properties that help support and encourage the healthy development of your child's immune system, brain, and body overall. 

Olive oil speaks your body’s secret language. Drizzle and Sizzle are both made with Picual olives, which have the highest polyphenol counts of any varietal. Polyphenols are tough antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress in the body, supporting healthy skin and helping aid against inflammatory conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema.

These polyphenol superheroes also improves the way your gut and brain communicate. This might sound microscopic, but a calm gut tells your brain, I’m safe, I’m happy, life’s good. And speaking of—olive oil quite literally calms down your nervous system, thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids. This doesn’t mean a shot of olive oil is an instant destresser, but get this: 12,000 people were studied over 6 years. People with higher olive oil consumption showed a lower risk of depression.

While ~14% of olive oil is saturated fat, ~11% is polyunsaturated (like those amazing Omega-3s), ~73% is made up of heart healthy monounsaturated fats like oleic acid. Oleic acid also works to reduce inflammation the body, and has even been found to potentially inhibit cancer cell growth. Read more about Oleic acid from trusted published articles here, here, and here. 

All these factors combine to make it a nutrition rich superfood—and even a little squeeze over a bowl of veggies (or Mac N' Cheese) goes a long way.

Looking For Kid Friendly Recipes?

We've got you covered.

Spinach Banana Mini-Muffins: These super tasty mini muffins make an ideal breakfast during busy weekday mornings. Plus, packed with veggies and made with no nuts, gluten, dairy, or eggs (no refined sugar to be found here either), they're an ideal playground-safe snack to pack on the go!

Whole Wheat Waffles: These tasty whole wheat waffles are a Sunday morning go-to! The kiddos love them, and the leftovers make an easy toaster-ready breakfast all week long, and we're fans of anything that makes a school day morning a little easier.

Check out all our recipes on our Glog HERE!