Toddler-age children (usually considered between 1 and 2 years old) are still fairly new to the food world. Parents are often excited to feed a toddler new food, and toddlers are eager to try new flavors. While most foods are now fair game at this stage in life, there are certain foods that should be held off until later. Even when eating foods that are considered safe, small children should always be supervised by an adult and should eat sitting down.
Small, Dry Foods
Small-sized foods that are hard and dry are easy to choke on. Toddlers do not always chew food thoroughly. Never give a toddler popcorn, because the kernels easily get lodged in small throats. Nuts are usually off limits as well, unless they are chopped in extremely small pieces, as in bread or cookies. Hard candies or cough drops should always be kept out of reach of small children.
Low-Fat Milk
When a baby switches from breast milk to formula, usually around age 1, the switch should be to whole milk. Parents should not monitor fat in toddlers' diets, unless directed by a doctor. Whole milk provides important fats needed for brain development and overall growth. Around age 3, children can usually start drinking low-fat or skim milk, with a doctor's permission.
Large Pieces of Food
Food should ideally be around the size of a pea. Anything larger may get stuck in a toddler's throat. Whole hot dogs are a huge choking risk; they should be cut lengthwise first and then into bite-size pieces. Small, round foods such as cherry tomatoes and grapes should be cut into quarters. Hard foods such as carrots are best cooked, then cut or shredded with a cheese grater.
Sticky Foods
Peanut butter is very hard to swallow for little kids. It can get stuck in the throat, causing a choking hazard. Sticky foods such as marshmallows, chewy candy and raisins are not only easy to choke on, but they also stick to teeth, which can contribute to early tooth decay.
Honey and Corn Syrup
Although honey and syrup are normally considered a risk for infants under 1 year, adults should avoid giving these foods to toddler-age children. Bacterial spores that produce botulism are found in honey as well as in corn syrup, and botulism can be life-threatening. Infants up to around 12 months of age lack the stomach acid to break down these spores. Never give a baby corn syrup or honey.
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