Not all food that is delicious for mom is fair game for baby’s tummy. Think twice before offering them to your children.
- Popcorn: This delicious snack has been re-posted as one of the most common choking hazards for kids. Parents should remember not to offer them unless the baby is supervised and is over one year old. If given to babies over one year of age, choose only the fluffy parts of the popcorn. Avoid husks and unpopped kernels, which are sharp and can get stuck in teeth and airways. Opt for plain versions instead of caramel or cheese flavored, due to the high sugar and salt content found in the latter.
- Cakes with Honey – Honey should not be given to babies under one year of age. That’s because Clostridium botulinum spores can germinate in your digestive system and cause infant botulism, a rare but fatal disease. For the same reason, do not give him cakes or bread baked with honey, because doing it alone cannot totally destroy the spores. However, commercial foods that contain honey (such as baby food and breakfast cereals) are safe for your baby because they have been heated enough to eradicate the spores.
- Tiramisu: Due to the alcohol it contains, babies and young children consume the popular Italian pastries. The dessert contains caffeine, which can cause an upset stomach, headaches, and increased heart rate.
- Bird’s Nest: As expensive as it may be, bird’s nest is an allergenic food that can cause symptoms like vomiting, skin rashes, and abdominal pain. This is especially true if other family members are allergic to the protein it contains. Only introduce this Chinese delicacy to your child only after he turns one year old. If your baby is healthy and has no allergy, the bird’s nest can be consumed in small amounts as a tonic. Sometimes it can relieve a prolonged dry cough.
- Ginseng – Doting grandma may want to make double boiled ginseng soup for the family, but this is one herb you’ll want your baby to stay away from, unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. Panax ginseng is not safe for children and can cause infant death as a result of poisoning. Some doctors may advise against the consumption of certain types of ginseng when the baby suffers from qi deficiency. But even for healthy babies, long-term consumption is not recommended as it can lead to precocious puberty.
- Pearl Dust: When you were little, your mother may have lured you with the promise of glowing skin when she made you drink a jar. Truth be told, the crushed pearl preparation is not a health supplement. It is a mineral that can be difficult for a baby’s digestive system to absorb. It should be consumed only on the advice of a physician and is often reserved for the treatment of more serious ailments such as spasms or extremely high fevers. Children with G6PD deficiency should be kept away from it.
- Sashimi: No matter the reputation of the restaurant you are dining at, do not give it to babies under the age of two, even in small quantities. In fact, raw food is forbidden territory for young people because the intestinal parasites present in it are not negligible.
- French Fries – Because they’re high in saturated fat and loaded with salt, Charlotte frowns on kids. But if Junior doesn’t stop pestering him about his happy meal at a fast food restaurant, he can introduce French fries and other fried foods in moderation after he is one year old. This is also the age when you can start using oil while cooking your food.
- Fizzy Drinks – You may like soda, but before pouring the rest of your soda into the sippy cup, think about your baby’s health and pearl whites. The sugar and acid content can also damage a baby’s emerging teeth. Dental concerns aside, carbonated beverages can also ruin your child’s appetite for nutritious foods.
- Runny Eggs – Crucial for cell growth and tissue repair, eggs are known to be a wonderful source of protein. They are also rich in cholesterol and choline, both essential for brain development in the first three years of life. However, leaky eggs should not be given to babies under one due to the risk of salmonella-related food poisoning. Cook the egg well until it is firm and there are no visible traces of liquid egg. Then have Junior eat it immediately.
- Ham: You shouldn’t add salt or sugar to baby food until he is one year old, so ham should not be allowed. There are no additional nutritional benefits to choosing ham over fresh meat. Also, introducing flavored (high-salt) foods too early would encourage you to develop a preference for savory dishes.
- Whole walnuts – These should be reserved for when your little one turns two. Otherwise, they may pose a choking hazard. Walnuts should be chewed well, but baby’s molars develop only after about 24 months. When Junior is ready for the whole walnuts, the dietitian recommends baked, unsalted, and healthier varieties.