3.16.2.4: Foods to Avoid for Young Children
- Page ID
- 41705
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Foods to Avoid for Young Children
Purpose
To ensure the safety and well-being of young children, certain foods should be avoided due to the risk of choking, allergic reactions, or limited nutritional value.
1. Choking Hazards
Young children are at a higher risk of choking due to their small airways and developing chewing skills. At this program we do not provide the following foods to young children:
Whole or hard foods:
- Whole grapes (grapes should be sliced lengthwise before serving)
- Cherry tomatoes (cherry tomatoes should be sliced lengthwise before serving)
- Nuts and seeds (e.g., peanuts, sunflower seeds)
- Hard candies or lollipops
- Popcorn
- Raw vegetables (e.g., baby carrots, celery sticks. Vegetables will be served as soft, cooked options instead)
- Sticky or tough foods:
- Butter spread (e.g., sunbutter) served by itself (any butter spreads will be spread thinly on bread or crackers)
- Chewing gum or marshmallows
- Sticky or chewy candies (e.g., caramels, gummy bears)
- Round or cylindrical foods:
- Hot dogs (slice lengthwise and then into smaller pieces)
- Sausages (slice lengthwise and then into smaller pieces)
2. High-Allergy Foods
At this program we do not provide the following high-allergy foods:
- Nuts or nut butters
- Shellfish or seafood
- Honey (for children under 12 months, due to the risk of botulism)
3. Foods with Limited Nutritional Value
Our program limits the following food items as they provide little to no nutritional benefit:
- Sugary snacks and desserts (e.g., candy, cookies, cakes)
- Sugary drinks (e.g., soda, fruit punch, sweetened teas)
- Highly processed snack foods (e.g., chips, cheese puffs)
Special events and celebrations involving special occasion treats will be communicated in advance to parents and guardians.
4. Unsafe or Contaminated Foods
To prevent foodborne illnesses, avoid:
- Unpasteurized milk, juice, or cheese
- Raw or undercooked eggs, meat, or fish (e.g., sushi, runny eggs)
- Foods with added caffeine (e.g., energy drinks, chocolate in large quantities)
5. Foods High in Sodium or Added Sugar
Limit foods that can contribute to poor health outcomes over time:
- Packaged or processed meats (e.g., bacon, deli meats)
- Foods with high sodium content (e.g., canned soups, salted snacks)
- Sweetened cereals or granola bars
Safe Alternatives
For the young children at our program, we provide foods that are:
- Soft, easy to chew, and cut into small pieces (e.g., cooked vegetables, soft fruits).
- Nutrient-dense (e.g., whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, and a variety of fruits and vegetables).
By avoiding these risky or unhealthy foods, caregivers can ensure that mealtimes are safe, enjoyable, and nutritionally beneficial for young children.