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When it comes to feeding your little one the healthiest food, there are many food items that appear healthier than they are! A baby’s digestive system is very different from an adult’s, and there are some food varieties that are considered healthy for us that we shouldn’t be feeding our children.
Of course, there are obvious food items that are bad for kids, but we have to include them on this list of things never to feed your baby. Keep an eye out for highly allergenic food, too – neither you nor your child will enjoy allergy treatment!
Salt - Bad for Kidneys
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In the first six months of your baby’s life, your baby will obtain all the sodium he or she requires through either breast milk or formula milk. During this time, there is no solid food in the baby’s diet, and afterward, infants only need 1g of salt a day and any more than this places strain on their tiny kidneys.
Refrain from adding gravy, sauces or stock to your baby’s food, no matter how bland it may taste to you. Avoid bacon, sausages, crackers, and bags of chips because these are high in sodium. Even between 12 months and 3 years old, your child just needs 2g of salt a day.
Sugar - Increases Blood Sugar Level
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It is easy to exceed the daily recommended limits for sugar intake as an adult, as proven by so many studies over the course of recent years it has been under observation. So if adults aren't keeping to their limits, you can bet that the kids aren’t either!
Your baby does not obtain any nutrients from sugar and so it is not necessary to feed your child any added sugar. Of course, there are occasions where you would want to and in this case, it is best to keep the portions very small and to have it happen very infrequently. Don’t forget that fruit juice counts as sugar!
Saturated Fat - Increases Chances of Developing Heart Disease, Stroke or Other Heart Complications
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Fat is an important component of your child’s diet, especially in the first six months of development. Fat is a source of energy and essential nutrients that assists with your child’s proper growth. Saturated fat is fat found in meat and dairy products.
Too much-saturated fat can place children at risk of eventually suffering a stroke, developing heart disease or problems with their arteries later in their lives. On the other hand, most food varieties that contain unsaturated fats are a healthy option to feed your child. These fats are found in avocados and in nuts, among other things.
Honey - Risk of Infant Botulism
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The next time you are enjoying some honey on your french toast or in your tea, stop yourself from sharing your meal with your baby! Most adults experience no issues in eating honey, but this presents an entirely different story when it comes to babies under the age of 12 months old.
Honey contains a bacteria called ‘C. botulinum.' This bacteria has the potential to produce toxins in your baby’s large intestines and result in a serious condition called ‘infant botulism.' This is rare but certainly avoidable. If that isn’t reason enough, consider that honey is also sugar and will place your young children at risk of exceeding their daily recommended limit.
Whole Nuts & Peanuts - Choking Hazard
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It is common knowledge that there are many people who suffer from allergic reactions to nuts, and especially to peanuts. If there happens to be anybody in your family that experiences this allergy, it would be best not to introduce nuts into your child’s diet plan until the age of five.
If you have no reason for concern, then you may introduce nuts to your child after the age of six months, provided that you do not feed them to your child whole. They should be crushed, or ground into a smooth paste. The latter is preferable, as crushed nuts are also a choking hazard, as are whole nuts.
Some Cheeses - Risk of Listeria Bacteria Exposure
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Cheese is delicious food and it can be a great source of calcium and form part of a healthy, balanced diet for adults, children, and even babies. The protein is good for development and it is an easily digested food. From the age of 6 months, babies are able to consume pasteurized full-fat cheeses.
Pasteurized cheeses are hard cheeses like cheddar, and gouda, but also cottage cheese and cream cheese. Mold-ripened cheeses, on the other hand, are off the menu, in order to avoid the risk of listeria bacteria. This means no camembert, brie or ripened goat’s milk cheese for your little one! We doubt your kid will mind passing up on the Roquefort, anyway!
Raw & Lightly Cooked Eggs - Risk of Salmonella/Food Poisoning
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Eggs are excellent sources of protein and vitamins. They are also a delicious food that your baby will enjoy eating. Feeding your baby eggs is safe if done correctly, after the age of 6 months old. Eggs need to be prepared safely so that they don’t pose the risk of salmonella poisoning.
To avoid this risk, cook eggs until both the white and the yellow of the egg is solid. This means no sunny side up breakfasts for your toddler! Of course, pasteurized eggs are safe and can be consumed with a runny yolk and used raw in sauces. If you are unsure of whether the eggs are pasteurized, avoid feeding your baby anything containing uncooked egg.
Rice Drinks - High Levels of Arsenic
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For whatever reason, you may want to substitute your child’s infant formula with an alternative, like rice milk. There are many forms of ‘milk’ available, including soy, almond, and other nut milk, but rice milk products, in particular, are best to avoid feeding children, especially toddlers and kids younger than a year.
Arsenic (a metalloid element) is present in nature and can be found in rice more than in other grains. For this reason, rice products are often higher in arsenic and regular consumption of them may prove to be placing your child at risk of several consequences. There is no immediate risk in consuming rice products, but the long-term effects are not good.
Raw Jelly Cubes - Choking Hazard
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Raw jelly seems so innocent, being colorful, wobbly, and so attractive to little ones! However, it is not a good idea to give to your baby – especially if your child happens to be younger than a year old. This is because it can be a choking hazard.
The jelly cube is a very tempting food to give young children and babies but they may just put the entire thing or a big chunk of it in their mouths. Once the cube gets stuck in their throat, it is very difficult to dislodge it and if you are not around at the right time, it could spell disaster.
Raw Shellfish - High Risk of Food Poisoning
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When you present your young child with a platter of oysters and ask them to slurp one up, chances are that they will be running in the opposite direction – and this is a good thing. While fully cooked shellfish are safe to consume, kids should steer clear of raw and lightly cooked dishes.
Mussels, clams, and oysters pose a risk of food poisoning as they are often eaten raw or lightly cooked and can be contaminated with parasites or bacteria that may be harmful. It is best not to take any chances because food poisoning even at its best isn’t fun for the parent or the child!
Shark, Swordfish & Marlin - High Mercury Content
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There are many types of food that are unhealthy for pregnant and lactating women. In a survey by the Food Standards Agency, based on 336 types of fish, it was found that marlin, swordfish, and shark contain high levels of the harmful substance called methylmercury.
Methylmercury can negatively affect the development of an unborn child’s brain, and so feeding these three types of fish to a young child is also harmful to their nervous system. The most common fish happen to be the safest, like cod, plaice, and haddock. It is best to avoid swordfish, shark, and marlin completely.
Cow's Milk & Soy Milk - Contain Difficult-to-Digest Proteins
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It can seem like it makes a lot of sense to replace breast milk with other milk like cow’s milk or soy milk, but actually, not all kinds of milk are equal! It is best to leave your child drinking breast milk or infant formula until the age of one.
This is primarily because it is actually a little difficult for a very young child’s digestive system to tackle the proteins in these other kinds of milk and they can often contain minerals that can be damaging to their tiny kidneys. Breast milk is nature’s design and is everything your child needs, but the closest substitute is infant formula and nothing else.
Refined Grains - Stripped of Nutrients & Fiber
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Grains are classed into two categories – refined grains and whole grains. As the name suggests, the whole grains contain the entire kernel, which is the bran, germ, and endosperm. Bulgur, oatmeal and brown rice are good examples. Refined grains have the bran and germ removed, and examples are white flour and cornmeal.
Refined grains are stripped off of their natural nutrients, dietary fiber, and even several B vitamins. So it is best to feed your child the most nutrient-dense alternatives, and in this case, it is whole grains. It is worth the extra chewing required, we promise!
Smoked & Cured Meats - High in Nitrates
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It is common knowledge that cured and smoked meat products do contain high levels of sodium, which has been dealt with earlier on this list. And if that alone isn’t enough reason not to feed your tot any cured or smoked meat, there is yet another thing to consider – nitrates.
Recent studies have proven that barbecued, cured, and smoked meat contains high levels of nitrates and this is related to increased risk of cancer. Bacon and salami are full of animal fats and these, too, aren’t good for your baby’s system or for their development.
Peanut Butter - Choking Hazard & Common Allergenic
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What with peanut butter getting such a good rap these days in the ketogenic diet and for being an excellent brain food and hunger suppressant, it may come as a surprise to new mothers that they shouldn’t actually be feeding their babies peanut butter!
Yes, nut butter is extremely healthy, and apart from the fact that nuts are an allergenic food, the other risk that nut butter poses is an obvious, yet easily overlooked one – as a choking hazard. Sticky and thick, nut butter can easily become lodged in a baby’s tiny throat and so it is best to avoid this food item as well.
Berries & Citrus Fruits - Difficult to Digest & Acidic
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All the colorful and delectable berries simply appear so appetizing, and to a little baby, they must look lovely to eat! Unfortunately, these colorful little berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are actually difficult for your baby’s belly to actually digest.
Other fruits that can result in discomfort in babies are the citrus varieties, like oranges and grapefruits, and even pineapples, because of their high acidity. Consumption of these fruits can lead to rashes and even an upset stomach. When the time comes that you eventually decide to introduce your child to berries or citrus, dice the fruit into small pieces and small servings.
Chocolate - High Sugar & Caffeine Content
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We all have our favorite chocolate, and with everybody loving chocolate so much, it can be very exciting to introduce this delicious treat to your baby. It is a very special moment, the very first time a baby tastes chocolate – but it is one best delayed for as long as possible!
Chocolate bars are all full of sugar and caffeine, and these are two ingredients that you certainly don’t want your baby to consume if you look forward to him or her having a restful night’s sleep! If you happen to give your baby chocolate, make sure you brush their teeth and make sure it is long before bedtime!
Egg Whites - High Risk of Allergy
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Egg allergies are common, as previously mentioned. An allergic reaction can prove dangerous symptoms in small children and it is not recommended that babies and toddlers be served egg whites until after one year old. This is advice that is supported by pediatricians.
Egg yolks are far safer to eat and in any case, the egg yolk is where the most nutrients and vitamins are found in the egg. Speak to your pediatrician about when is the best time to introduce egg white to your baby and ensure that it is completely cooked before serving.
Certain Vegetables - High Nitrate Content
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While vegetables are fantastic for keeping the doctor away, it is important to know which vegetables are easy on your baby’s system and which ones are difficult to digest, and also which ones have high levels of harmful substances. Unfortunately, not every vegetable is on the menu!
Beets, spinach, lettuce, and collard greens are high in nitrates and the levels are too high for your baby’s stomach to process them properly when they are very young. A baby’s stomach acid isn’t strong enough to break it down and this hinders the blood’s transfer of oxygen throughout the body.
Grapes - Choking Hazard & Tough Skins
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Grapes are a lovely snack as they are sweet little bites of goodness! However, they could also mean a call for an ambulance! Grapes are round, small and firm, making them a perfect choking hazard for very young children. Even when cut in half, grapes are easy to choke on.
It is best to stick with bananas or cooked pears if you want to introduce some fruits into the baby’s diet. Further, the skins of the grape are difficult for a young tummy to break down effectively, which can give the baby a tummy ache.
Raw Carrots - Choking Hazard
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Another choking hazard – the carrot. Carrots are the right size and firmness to pose as a choking hazard. In fact, they rank number three on the list of food items that are the biggest choking hazards for young children. Of course, this is particularly true for baby carrots.
Needless to say, we aren’t suggesting that you remove carrots from baby’s dinner! Beta-carotene is an important nutrient and your little one can obtain it safely by eating cooked carrots that are lightly mashed. This rule applies to celery and apple as well, and any other hard fruit or vegetable.
Hot Dogs - High Nitrates & Choking Hazard
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In 2008, a study was conducted on children up to the age of 5, investigating causes of choking injuries and deaths. Hot dogs came up as the leading cause for incidents more than any other food item that was investigated – and this applies even too hot dogs that are sliced into discs.
It is advisable that children under the age of one year not be offered hot dogs at all, and for children older than one but younger than 5, the hot dog should first be sliced lengthways and then into thin slices before served to the child. Also, the high levels of nitrates are not good for young digestive systems.
Popcorn - Choking Hazard
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Popcorn is a delicious and healthy snack unless it is loaded with salt, caramel or butter, of course! But even the healthiest of popcorn shouldn’t feature in your young child’s diet since popcorn is a severe choking hazard. It’s best for parents to keep kids away from the popcorn to avoid trips to the hospital!
The outer portion of the popcorn is easily bitten off, but it is the center that is firm and difficult to chew or swallow. Even pediatricians recommend avoiding popcorn in kids’ diets in order to reduce the risk of potential choking incidents. It is best to introduce this treat after the age of 4!
Hard Candy & Gum - Choking Hazard
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Hard candies are often the sweet that kids love the most, like the lollipop, for example. It may be difficult to restrict lollipops to only older children if you have a few kids of different ages, but gum and hard candy are best left for an age when kids are old enough to brush their own teeth!
When children are more advanced with their chewing, sucking and biting, then hard candy and gum can be offered to them. Before this, it can be dangerous to eat these types of treats. And you need back teeth to eat gum anyway!
Wheat - Highly Allergenic
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Wheat is yet another food item that is highly allergenic. A significant percentage of the population is allergic or sensitive to wheat and to soy, and having a family history of such allergies is a good indication that you should wait before introducing your baby to anything containing wheat.
Gluten intolerance is becoming a common occurrence, and can cause what is called ‘celiac disease.' It is recommended by health professionals that children be introduced to food containing these crops until after they are over a year old. Try substituting with brown rice pasta and cornmeal-based cereals.
Seafood (Shrimp, Lobsters, Crabs) - High Mercury Levels & Highly Allergenic
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Like shellfish, seafood is yet another food that is highly allergenic and if you can avoid high-time sea allergies in your baby, we are betting you will! If you intend to introduce shellfish early, make sure it is after your baby has turned one year old. However, there is another reason for shellfish not being a good option for tots.
There are high levels of mercury in prawns, lobsters, and shrimps and children under one year should refrain from any items high in mercury, which can adversely affect their development. If you have further concerns, consult with your pediatrician for advice on the best age to start introducing small portions of seafood.