What is SpoonfulOne? What does it do? What are the pros and cons of using it? Here's what families need to know about SpoonfulOne.
Landmark clinical studies (LEAP, EAT, PETIT) show that introducing allergy-causing foods to your baby early and often, starting as early as 4-6 months of age is important. One option parents may be thinking about using to introduce these foods is SpoonfulOne.
But here's what parents need to know about SpoonfulOne first:
- SpoonfulOne products are only for babies already eating solid food
- SpoonfulOne products contains additives babies don't need, like sugar and salt
- Since SpoonfulOne contains added sugar, they are not consistent with the USDA-HHS Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which states to "avoid foods and beverages with added sugars during the first 2 years of life."
- SpoonfulOne doesn't follow the safe, effective dosing found in the landmark studies (LEAP, EAT, PETIT)
- SpoonfulOne introduces multiple allergy-causing foods all at once, so it doesn't follow AAP guidelines which recommend introducing only one new food at a time
- SpoonfulOne can cost more than twice as much as Ready, Set, Food!
What is SpoonfulOne?
SpoonfulOne makes a system of products meant to introduce allergens early in babies, by introducing them to common allergy-causing foods early and often.
Dr. Kari Nadeau's goal was to make an early allergen introduction that introduced babies to the most allergens, and that covered the foods responsible for 90% of food allergies.
She noticed that only 7% of people who develop food allergies are allergic to just peanut (most develop an allergy to a food other than peanut, or become allergic to peanut and at least one other food).
So, she developed the SpoonfulOne Mix-ins system, which contains the 9 of the most common allergy-causing food groups:
- shellfish (shrimp)
- tree nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts)
- fish (cod and salmon)
- grains (oats and wheat)
SpoonfulOne makes 3 types of products that introduce these 9 food groups:
Mix-ins: A powder that's designed for babies only "once they have begun eating solid foods."
Puffs: Soft puffs for babies "accustomed to chewing solid foods," and 6 months of age or older.
Oat Crackers: Crackers for toddlers over one year of age, "once your toddler is accustomed to chewing and eating solid foods."
What do parents need to know about SpoonfulOne v. Ready, Set, Food!?
SpoonfulOne is only for babies eating solids
SpoonfulOne's powder is designed for babies to start as early as 4-6 months of age. But like all SpoonfulOne products, it's designed only "once they have begun eating solid foods." Also, the puffs and oat crackers are designed for even older babies who are "accustomed to chewing solid foods."
When it comes to introducing allergy-causing foods, earlier is better. Waiting until your baby is used to solids may be too late. However, many babies aren't ready for solids at such an early age.
Most parents will have to wait until their baby is over 6 months old if they want to introduce SpoonfulOne. “Because this [SpoonfulOne] was originally intended to be mixed into foods like apple sauce or oatmeal, it has been known to clog a normal bottle nipple." - SpoonfulOne
SpoonfulOne contains additives like sugar
As seen on the products’ nutrition facts, all three SpoonfulOne products contain up to 2g of added sugar (oat crackers) per serving, used to mask flavors that babies might not enjoy. In fact, sugar is one of the two top ingredients in their oat crackers and mix-ins---and each serving of mix-ins contains 50% sugar (by grams).
The USDA-HHS Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee states to "avoid foods and beverages with added sugars during the first 2 years of life." Since SpoonfulOne contains added sugar in all of its products, it is not consistent with the USDA-HHS Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
The American Heart Association also recommends avoiding foods with added sugar for babies under 2. And many infants are already eating foods with added sugar, which can form unhealthy habits later in life.
SpoonfulOne has the same amount of added sugar in 20 servings of SpoonfulOne Oat Crackers as a 12 oz. can of Coca-Cola.
In fact, SpoonfulOne has the same amount of added sugar in 20 servings of SpoonfulOne Oat Crackers as a 12 oz. can of Coca-Cola.
Plus, all three SpoonfulOne products contain added salt, unknown "natural flavors," and at least one other additive (the puffs and oat crackers contain multiple other additives).
SpoonfulOne doesn't follow the dosing in landmark clinical trials
Early and sustained allergen introduction is backed by landmark clinical studies (LEAP, EAT, PETIT). The new medical guidelines for introducing allergy-causing foods are based on these studies. But SpoonfulOne doesn't follow the doses used in these studies.
Their powder introduces over 90% less peanut, egg, and milk than the doses shown to be effective in the LEAP, EAT, PETIT studies. So, your child likely won't eat enough of each food for introduction to be effective if you use SpoonfulOne.
In addition, new research shows that the SpoonfulOne Oat Crackers dosage for all three allergens -- peanut, egg, and milk -- is significantly low (less than 1 milligram or one thousandth of a gram) and may not be an effective form of early allergen introduction.
New research shows that the SpoonfulOne Oat Crackers dosage for all three allergens is significantly low (less than 1 milligram).
Whereas, our Ready, Set, Food! dosage for peanut, egg and milk is more consistent with the landmark research on early allergen introduction.
SpoonfulOne introduces multiple allergy-causing foods all at once
SpoonfulOne also doesn't follow doctors' advice on introducing one food at a time, and on gradually introducing allergy-causing foods.
Leading pediatricians recommend introducing one new allergy-causing food at a time, and waiting 2-5 days in between introducing each new food. This way, you can tell how your baby is reacting to each new food. But SpoonfulOne introduces multiple major allergy-causing foods all at once. This goes directly against AAP guidelines and makes it hard to figure out how baby is handling each of the new allergenic foods.
Also, the PETIT study and leading pediatricians recommend starting with a small amount of each allergy-causing food and gradually increasing to the full dose, for the safest and most effective approach. But SpoonfulOne gives its full dose right away, so it doesn't follow this gradual approach.
SpoonfulOne is quite expensive
SpoonfulOne costs $60-80/month, which is more than twice as expensive as Ready, Set, Food!
As of August 2020, a 6-month supply of SpoonfulOne Oat Crackers costs ~$2.71 per serving (over $81/month for 30 packs).
Meanwhile, a 6-month supply of Ready, Set, Food! costs $0.97 per serving (Stage 1-2 systems).
Looking for an alternative to SpoonfulOne that doesn't contain added sugar, and that's fully based on landmark studies and clinical guidelines?
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your baby’s health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infant’s healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.