24 February 2024 , 17:37
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Never pack these five foods, because they could be dangerous to your children, a paediatrician has warned.
Packing lunchboxes for your children can be tiresome - especially if they are a little on the fussy side when it comes to eating, or if they all have different dietary requirements. However, their food preferences aren't the only factor that should come into the decisions you make as you pack a healthy lunch for them each day, according to an expert paediatrician, who has issued a stern warning about foods parents should absolutely avoid giving your children.
These five foods, the expert warns, can be dangerous hazards to young children that could have serious consequences, so she explains, she would give them a wide berth when packing lunch for your kids.
As reported in Kidspot, paediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead explained that while some of these snacks may seem totally harmless, they could actually be really dangerous for kids, especially when they are young. First up, Sarah would avoid packing nuts inside her children's lunchboxes
Despite the fact they are a healthy snack, it isn't worth the risk in her opinion, because they are an allergen. Even if your own child doesn't suffer from allergies, she points out, another kid in their class easily could, and this could mean you are inadvertently responsible for an allergic reaction taking place.
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"For children with nut allergies, even traces of nuts can trigger severe allergic reactions. It's best to avoid packing nuts in your child's lunchbox altogether (please check your child's school policy) and opt for safer alternatives like nut-free granola bars."
Next, Sarah recommends swerving the grapes when packing lunches, unless you are willing to cut them into quarters - by first cutting them in half lengthways and then again into an even smaller piece. This is because whole - or even halved - grapes present a serious choking hazard for kids - especially amongst those aged under four years old, who haven't quite got their chewing skills down to pat yet.
The same goes for cherry tomatoes, the expert explains, with their round shape and diminutive size they are something a child is more likely to choke on - so give these a miss. Sarah also recommends avoiding putting sausages in your lunchbox unless you have the time to carefully cut them into sticks. "While sausages (and similar snacks like cabanossi and frankfurts) are a great way to use up leftovers, serving them whole (or sliced into circles) increases the risk of choking, especially if they're large or have tough casings."
Finally, Sarah advises that you don't serve your child popcorn. This is again because it poses a danger of choking, and she recommends that "Instead, opt for alternatives like cheese crackers, pretzel sticks, rice cakes or corn cakes."
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