Top 10 most dangerous foods for children under 5 years of age due to choking risk
The facts are staggering; in the United States, approximately one child dies every five days as a result of a food-related choking. This type of accident is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under the age of five, and especially under the age of three, who account for about 75% of choking victims. There are some foods that pose a real risk for small children because they can easily obstruct the child's airway causing choking. In this article we are going to list the 10 most dangerous foods for children under 5 years old in order to minimize the risk and avoid possible accidents.
1. Whole nuts
Nuts such as almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, although healthy, pose a high risk of choking in children under five because of their small, hard shape. These foods can easily block the airway, as young children do not yet have the ability to chew and crush these foods properly.
Safe alternative: Offer ground nuts or in cream form (diluted or included in other preparations) so that they get their nutrients without the risk of choking.
2. Peanut butter spoonfuls
Although peanut butter is rich in protein and healthy fats, a spoonful can be dangerous for young children. Its thick, sticky texture makes it difficult to swallow and can stick in the throat, blocking the passage of air.
Safe alternative: you can offer it diluted in water, milk, fruit purees, blend it with other foods or add it in the preparation of cakes; this way it will be easier to swallow and it will not stick in the throat.
Raw apple
Raw apples have a firm, crunchy texture that requires good chewing ability. In young children, their hardness increases the risk of choking.
Safe alternative: Offer the apple mashed, pureed or cooked in soft pieces, so that the child can eat it safely.
4. Raw carrot
Raw carrots, like apples, are hard and can splinter when bitten, which poses a great danger if they get stuck in the windpipe.
Safe alternative: Cook the carrot until soft and offer it in small pieces or mashed to avoid risk.
5. Grapes, cherries, blueberries and other small, round foods.
Small, round fruits or other foods, such as grapes, cherries, blueberries or olives, because of their slippery texture and their small size and spherical shape are perfect for clogging the airway if swallowed whole, which can be very dangerous in young children.
Safe alternative: Cut grapes and similar fruits into quarters, and always remove the seeds if they have them. This significantly reduces the risk of choking.
6. Cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes, like grapes, are of a size and shape that can block the airway. In addition, their slippery texture increases the likelihood that a child will swallow them whole.
Safe alternative: Cut cherry tomatoes into quarters before serving them to young children.
7. Popcorn
Popcorn, so popular as a snack, is extremely dangerous for young children. Its irregular shape and light texture can cause young children to accidentally inhale it and choke. In addition, some popcorn has hard edges or shells that can get caught in the throat.
Safe alternative: Avoid giving popcorn to children under the age of five. Offer other safe and healthy snacks.
8. Candies and sweets
Hard candies and jelly beans present a great risk due to their sticky texture and size. They are difficult to chew and can get stuck in children's throats.
Safe alternative: Avoid hard candies and jelly beans, if you want to offer a sweet option, choose fresh fruits or soft foods.
9. Sausages and foods in the shape of a tube or coin.
Sausages and other tube or coin-shaped foods (such as slices of sausage or cured meats) are dangerous because of their size and shape, which can fit into a young child's windpipe and cause obstruction.
Safe alternative: It is very important to cut them correctly. First we must make a transverse cut, along the entire length of the sausage, and then cut them into pieces.
10. Serrano ham and other cured meats
Ham and other sausages are foods that do not crumble easily, this combined with the immature swallowing of children and because they have few teeth can pose a risk.
Safe alternative: Offer it cut into small pieces.
Other important recommendations:
To avoid these dangers, specialists recommend adapting foods by cutting them into very small pieces or avoiding certain products until the child develops safe chewing and swallowing skills.
Consult and supervise your child's diet with your pediatrician.
Your child should always eat under adult supervision. It is best that they eat seated and without playing to avoid any movement that may unintentionally move the food backwards.
In addition, parents and caregivers should be trained in first aid techniques (such as the Heimlich maneuver and CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)).
You may also be interested in:
12 foods you should not give to your baby under 1 year of ageThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby's life or, failing that, infant formula. After 6 months, complementary feeding can be started, introducing a variety of foods along with breast milk or infant formula, which will continue to be the main food in their diet. In this way...
8 foods you definitely shouldn't give your dog!Caring for a dog goes beyond providing shelter, affection and walks; it also involves proper nutrition. Many owners may not know it, but certain foods that are common in our diets can be extremely harmful to dogs' health. In this article, we'll look at the main foods you should avoid giving your four-legged friend.
