Warning: Small children are not allowed to eat these foods

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Good nutrition, enough water and lots of exercise are the be-all and end-all of a healthy body. This applies to both adults and children.

As adults, we have almost no restrictions on what we can eat, apart from allergies and intolerances. Things look a little different with children. Some dishes are out of the question for them in the first few years.

We explain to you at what age different foods are taboo and why they can harm small children.

Why are some foods harmful to children?

To ensure that our offspring have the best possible start in life, we of course make sure that they get enough vitamins and nutrients from their food.

However, certain foods are harmful to little ones and should not be fed until they reach a certain age. There are various reasons for this:

  • There is a high risk of small children choking on the ingredients.
  • The immune system is not yet sufficiently developed to withstand germs and bacteria.
  • The ingredients of the food are harmless to adults, but put a lot of strain on a child's body due to their lower weight.

When can children eat mushrooms?

Mushrooms are absolutely delicious and can be transformed into so many dishes. But should you give them to your child?

Mushrooms are generally not suitable for babies. They are difficult to chew and also difficult to digest. From the age of one you can start offering small portions.

But pay attention to the following:

  • Clean the mushrooms thoroughly, cut them into small pieces and only serve them cooked.
  • Cultivated mushrooms are fine, but you should avoid wild mushrooms.
  • Uses fresh mushrooms.
  • If possible, avoid feeding mushrooms in the evening. They can be hard on your child's stomach.

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When can children eat poppy seeds?

Your child should never consume large amounts of poppy seeds as they contain morphine. The opioid can cause breathing and consciousness disorders in children.

TheBavarian State Office for Health and Food Safetyrecommends a maximum single dose of 5 mg morphine for a child between four and five years of age. For children under one year old it is much less.

An example from the Bavarian State Office:If a four-year-old child were to eat a piece of poppy seed cake, the safe range would already be exceeded. Although the morphine content in the poppy seeds is reduced during baking, you should not rely on it.

And what about poppy seed rolls? According to calculations byCVUA Karlsruhe, a child weighing 15 kilograms would have to eat about nine poppy seed rolls to be at risk. So one or two poppy seed rolls are definitely in order.

When are children allowed to eat honey?

Honey is a popular oneand colds. That makes sense, because after all it has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

But be careful if you have a child under 12 months. Then honey is taboo. Because: It can contain germs that overwhelm the infant's digestive system. In the worst case, the germs even produce toxins.

Older children and adults are generally safe from honey germs. As soon as your child is around 1 year old, you can start sweetening the porridge with honey. But not too much, after all it contains a lot of sugar!

When can children eat cinnamon?

You can feed your child small amounts of cinnamon from around 6 months old. The spice is harmless in small doses, so a little cinnamon in the porridge is perfectly fine. However, pay attention to the following:

  • It's best to choose Ceylon cinnamon (about...BioKontor*). This is a little more expensive, but contains less coumarin. This provides the delicious cinnamon scent, but in large quantities it can be harmful to children.
  • Mix the cinnamon well. Loose cinnamon powder can enter the windpipe.
  • Allergies are always possible. Observe your child after he or she eats cinnamon for the first time.

How much cinnamon can you give a child?

TheFederal Institute for Risk Assessmentassumes that a toddler who eats a meal of rice pudding with sugar and cinnamon twice a week (around 0.5 g cinnamon per serving) remains well below the questionable amount.

When can children start eating nuts?

Nuts are absolutely delicious and make a wonderful snack. But not for small children. And this is mainly because the small pieces of nuts can get into the respiratory tract and therefore pose a serious risk of suffocation.

So wait until your child's teeth have fully developed and they can chew properly. Depending on how quickly your child develops, nuts are okay from around the age of four. But ground nuts are okay even earlier.

The same applies here: There is a risk of allergies. Watch how your child reacts.

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Be careful with these raw foods

The same applies to children: A balanced diet is important. This is the only way we get all the nutrients that are important for a healthy body. However, you should avoid these foods:

Raw milk

Milk, cheese and other dairy products made from or with raw milk are not suitable for children as they can cause bacterial infections.

The Professional Association of Pediatricians and Adolescents. V. recommends that children, immunocompromised people and pregnant women in particular should only drink pasteurized milk.

Raw meat

Everyday foods like Mett, salami or tea sausage are also a bad idea. They are not heated during production, but are preserved by smoking, for example. Bacteria and parasites are therefore a risk.

DieFederal Governmenttherefore recommends that children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems should only consume raw sausage if the product has been heated through beforehand.

By the way: Meat and raw fish that are not completely cooked through are also unsuitable.

Region Eier

Raw eggs and all unheated foods made from them, such as mayonnaise, should not end up in children's mouths. There is a risk of salmonella infection.

Important note at the end: The information and tips in this article are merely suggestions. Every child is different and reacts in their own way. It is therefore important that you respond to your child. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor.