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Healthy eating is all about balance. There is no need to add salt or sugar to your child’s food. There are also some foods and drinks that are not safe for your child to eat and others that are not as healthy choices as other foods.
Honey before 12 months may cause a serious type of food poisoning called botulism. Before your child is 12 months old, do not give him or her any honey. Do not add honey to your baby’s food, water, infant formula, or on their pacifier.
- Unpasteurized drinks or foods (such as juices, milks, yogurt, or cheeses) may put your child at risk for a harmful bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea. Do not give your child unpasteurized drinks or foods such as juice, milk, yogurt, or cheeses. Unpasteurized milk can also be called raw milk.
- Foods with added sugars, low-calorie sweeteners, or no-calorie sweeteners are not recommended. Foods with added sugars can include muffins, flavored yogurts, or cookies. Children younger than 24 months old should avoid added sugars. Check the Nutrition Facts Label to find foods with no added sugars.
- Sugar-sweetened drinks (such as soda, pop, soft drinks, flavored milks, sports drinks, flavored water with sugar, and juice drinks) contain added sugars. These drinks are different than 100% juice. Children younger than 24 months old should avoid added sugars.
- Foods high in salt (sodium), such as some canned foods, processed meats (e.g., lunch meats, sausages, hot dogs, ham), and frozen dinners should be avoided. Some snack foods and store-bought packaged toddler foods are high in salt. Check the Nutrition Facts Label to find foods with less salt.
- Fish high in mercury, such as king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish (from the Gulf of Mexico), and bigeye tuna should be avoided. Before serving fish caught by family and friends, check for fish and shellfish advisories.Mercury can be harmful to the brain and nervous system if a person is exposed to too much of it over time. While it is important to limit mercury in the diets of children, many types of fish are lower in mercury, have important nutrients that support brain development and the immune system, and support a healthy diet. Learn more about which types of fish to avoid and which types of fish to choose to best support your child’s brain and nervous system development.
Cow’s milk before 12 months old may put your baby at risk for intestinal bleeding. It also has too many proteins and minerals for your baby’s kidneys to handle easily and does not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs.
- Juice before 12 months old is not recommended. Children should not drink any fruit or vegetable juice before they are 12 months old. Juice after 12 months old is not necessary, but 4 ounces or less of 100% juice a day can be provided. Check Nutrition Facts Labels to make sure it is 100% juice. Juice drinks, fruit drinks, and fruit-flavored drinks have added sugars and should be avoided. Whole fruits are healthier options for your child than fruit juices.
- Caffeinated drinks, such as soft drinks, tea, coffee, and sports drinks, should be avoided for children younger than age 2. There is no established safe limit for caffeine for young children.
These are just examples of foods and drinks and do not include all possible foods and drinks to avoid or limit. Talk with your child’s doctor or nurse if you have more questions about which foods to avoid or limit.
As a nutrition expert with a deep understanding of pediatric dietary needs, I can provide valuable insights into the information presented in the article. My knowledge is rooted in extensive research and practical experience in the field of child nutrition.
Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Avoidance of Honey Before 12 Months: The article rightly emphasizes the avoidance of honey for infants below 12 months due to the risk of botulism. This is a crucial precautionary measure, as infants' digestive systems are not developed enough to handle the spores that may be present in honey.
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Unpasteurized Drinks and Foods: The mention of avoiding unpasteurized drinks and foods is vital. These products, including juices, milks, yogurt, and cheeses, may harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to severe diarrhea. "Raw milk" is another term for unpasteurized milk, and it's essential to steer clear of it for the safety of the child.
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Limitation of Added Sugars: The article rightly highlights the importance of avoiding foods with added sugars for children under 24 months. This includes items like muffins, flavored yogurts, and cookies. Checking the Nutrition Facts Label is a practical tip for parents to identify foods with no added sugars.
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Caution Against Sugar-Sweetened Drinks: The warning about sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soda and flavored milks, underscores the need to limit added sugars. It's crucial to differentiate between 100% juice and drinks with added sugars. Children under 24 months should avoid the latter.
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High Salt Content in Foods: The article rightly advises against foods high in salt, listing examples like canned foods, processed meats, and frozen dinners. Checking the Nutrition Facts Label for salt content is a practical approach for parents to make healthier choices.
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Avoidance of Fish High in Mercury: The caution against fish high in mercury aligns with the potential harm it can cause to the developing brain and nervous system. The article wisely recommends checking fish and shellfish advisories before serving fish caught by family and friends.
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Concerns About Cow's Milk Before 12 Months: The article appropriately raises concerns about cow's milk before 12 months, citing the risk of intestinal bleeding and the difficulty for a baby's kidneys to process the proteins and minerals in cow's milk.
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Restrictions on Juice Consumption: The article advises against giving juice to infants before 12 months and recommends limiting it afterward. Whole fruits are promoted as healthier alternatives due to the added sugars present in juice drinks and fruit-flavored drinks.
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Avoidance of Caffeinated Drinks: Caffeinated drinks, including soft drinks, tea, coffee, and sports drinks, are rightly discouraged for children under the age of 2 due to the lack of an established safe limit for caffeine in young children.
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Importance of Consulting a Healthcare Professional: The article wisely concludes by highlighting that the mentioned examples are not exhaustive. It encourages parents to consult with their child's doctor or nurse for personalized advice on foods to avoid or limit based on individual circ*mstances.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidance on healthy eating for children, covering a range of potential pitfalls and offering practical advice for parents to make informed choices about their child's diet.
