Choking is more common among toddlers and young kids, but adults are not completely safe either. If you have a breathing problem or a sore throat, try to avoid foods that could irritate your throat and could cause you to choke. The same foods that are a choking hazard for kids are also dangerous for dogs, so don't feed them to your pets either. When feeding kids, don't allow them to fill their mouths with large portions of food. Wait until they swallow the first mouthful before giving them a second one.
Sphere-shaped and Similar Foods
Anything the size of a grape or larger is a choking hazard for young kids. Examples include nuts, cherries, hard candy, olives and kidney and other large beans. All these foods are probably fine if you cut them into smaller pieces or smash them with a fork before feeding them to your child.
Seeds
Fruits with pits, such as cherries and apples, could be a choking hazard. Watermelon seeds are also dangerous. If you're eating popcorn, make sure you don't get any unpopped kennels in your mouth. Young children should not eat sunflower seeds or pumpkin kernels.
Sticky Foods
If you're eating foods that can stick to the back of your throat, eat them in small servings. Foods like peanut butter, caramels and marshmallows can all cause choking in large amounts. Gum is a choking hazard for very young children.
Stringy Foods
Foods that are stringy or difficult to chew can also cause choking, especially if you're eating fast and not chewing properly. Beef jerky, bacon and string beans all fall into this category. Less obvious things include dried fruits, gummy bears and chicken skin, all of which are chewy and hard to chew properly.
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