Introducing new foods to your child’s diet can be a fun and occasionally difficult process. Parents frequently ponder when it’s okay to feed their kids particular foods, particularly foods like mushrooms that are well-known for their special qualities.
One of the most popular mushrooms to eat, champignons are rich in nutrients, but are they good for kids? Even though they can be a beneficial addition to a diet that is well-balanced, it is crucial to think carefully about when to introduce them in order to prevent any problems.
Accurately determining the right time to introduce champignons to your child can help ensure they receive maximum benefits while maintaining safety. Let’s talk about when and how to serve these mushrooms to your kids at mealtime.
- Benefits of mushrooms
- Why mushrooms are harmful
- From what age to give?
- How to choose champignons for a children"s menu?
- Video on the topic
- MUSHROOMS FOR CHILDREN: IS IT POSSIBLE?
- Can mushrooms be given to children?
- Can champignons be given to children? Champignons harm and benefit for children!
- At what age can a child be given mushrooms
- At what age can children be given champignons?
- Can children have mushrooms? The answer is short… (Advice from Prodeus)
- MUSHROOMS | FROM WHAT AGE CAN YOU GIVE IT TO A CHILD?
Benefits of mushrooms
Many adults believe that mushrooms are a useless food that should never be given to children because of potential absorption issues. Still, high-quality mushrooms pack a good nutritional punch. Vegetable proteins, fiber, vitamins C, PP, D, A, group B, calcium, easily absorbed fats, potassium, phosphorus, and numerous other substances are all obtained from them by the human body. Champignons are also a good source of organic acids and enzymes.
It should be mentioned that the majority of the advantageous compounds found in mushrooms are concentrated in their caps, while the parts of the plant that are harmful to a child’s body are more likely to be found in their legs. Because of this, only mushroom caps are appropriate for feeding to infants.
Why mushrooms are harmful
The restriction on mushroom consumption in children is related to more than just the product’s high chitin content, which prevents other nutrients from being absorbed and is not digested. Hazardous substances are among the many substances that forest mushrooms absorb from the soil. However, if we are discussing store-bought champignons, then this drawback of mushrooms is not relevant. Because of this, children can start eating champignons a little earlier than mushrooms that are foraged from the forest. The following video provides more information about the advantages and disadvantages of champignons:
From what age to give?
While many pediatricians, including Evgeny Komarovsky, feel that children as young as two years old can try champignons, some doctors advise against giving any mushrooms to children under the age of 10 or 14. Physicians agree that it is inappropriate to give champignons to a one-year-old child.
A child who is 2 years old can be given mushrooms that are grown industrially. At first, they are included in the children"s menu in small quantities, for example, in a sauce or by adding a few mushrooms to the main dish. Over time, you can cook peeled and well-cooked pieces of mushrooms for the child. At the same time, the frequency of eating dishes with champignons for a child under 5 years old (for example, at 4 years old) is limited to 1 time per week. Many doctors recommend postponing the introduction of any mushrooms, including champignons, to the age of 7-10 years. They associate this recommendation with the fact that the digestive system of school-age children is already fully formed, so there will be no problems with digesting mushroom dishes. If the child has any problems with the gastrointestinal tract, introducing mushrooms into his diet before the age of 10 is highly undesirable.
A child as young as five or seven years old can begin eating champignons, but it’s crucial to make sure they’re properly cooked and served in moderation. Since mushrooms are more difficult to digest, small children’s digestive systems might not be able to handle them well. Before introducing any new foods to your child, always check with a pediatrician to make sure they are appropriate for their needs.
How to choose champignons for a children"s menu?
Children should only be given store-bought mushrooms, as such champignons do not absorb harmful compounds from the soil, like wild ones. Buy small, light-colored mushrooms for baby food. Avoid buying darkened, slippery or flabby champignons. You should also avoid buying excessively large mushrooms, as they are overripe and contain fewer nutrients. If you buy packaged mushrooms, carefully study the information on the packaging – the date the champignons were collected, the date they were packaged, and the expiration date. When you bring the mushrooms home, be sure to remove them from the film and store them in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours. If you are not going to cook anything with them right away, you can put the champignons in the freezer, where they can be stored for up to 1 year.
| Age | Can champignons be given? |
| Under 3 years | Not recommended |
| 3-5 years | In small amounts, cooked only |
| 5 years and older | Yes, cooked and well-prepared |
A child’s diet can benefit from the addition of champignons, but it’s crucial to introduce them gradually. It’s generally advised by experts to hold off on serving mushrooms like champignons to younger children until they are approximately 5 years old, as they may have digestive issues.
When introducing champignons, be sure to serve them in modest portions and cook them thoroughly. A child’s reaction to new foods should always be monitored, as some kids may have dietary sensitivity issues.
It’s advisable to start cautiously with any new food and speak with your pediatrician if you have any concerns. Champignons can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your child’s meals if you take the proper safety measures.
