Does Junk Food Have a Place in Children's Diets? 

The benefits might surprise you!

June 15, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

With so much buzz about holistic foods and clean eating, some foods have gotten a bad rep. Sure, daily cheeseburgers may not be a wise health move, but “junk” food once in a while may not be as bad as it seems. As baby led weaning suggests, eating and trying a variety of foods can actually prove beneficial in the long run.

Dangers of Restriction

Strict adherence to clean foods can result in inflexible attitudes about eating and limit positive association with mealtimes. Rather than restricting “bad” food, teach children that a balanced diet makes space for indulgence even with overall healthy eating choices.

The risk of restricting certain kinds of foods is that they become restricted yet desired. Psychologists have noted that while an older child may eat healthily from day to day under supervision, a history of forbidden foods can lead to overindulging when they do have a chance to eat something they normally wouldn’t. This doesn’t mean feeding kids fast food meals regularly, but a homemade cookie or messy sundae (try a berry compote rather than fudge if that makes you feel less guilty) are reasonable treats.  

Foods Babies Should Never Eat

All that being said, there are foods that young babies should never eat due to the danger they pose. Some common foods that babies shouldn’t eat (unless otherwise instructed by the pediatrician) are: 

- Unpasteurized foods: Bacteria that could be present in unpasteurized foods may result in just an upset tummy for older people, but it can lead to serious illness in babies.

- Honey: Though uncommon, honey can harbor a bacteria that causes botulism in babies. 

- Fruit juice: Juice sounds innocent and healthy, but more than 4 ounces can cause diarrhea in babies. Grab a sippy cup (and a full-coverage bib while you’re at it) to dilute those 4 ounces with water if you’re looking to introduce juice to young ones. 

- Whole nuts: Whole nuts are just the right size for getting caught in a tiny throat. Avoid these choking hazards and opt for nut butters or crumbled nuts instead. 

- Cow’s milk: Cow’s milk is actually difficult for human children to digest until they are at least a year old. While it’s safe in dairy, cow’s milk shouldn’t be used to replace breastmilk or formula. 

Developmental stages are especially important to consider when thinking about nutrition for kids. For example, cow’s milk may be a no-no for babies, but is entirely acceptable–if not expected–for older toddlers. 

Deciding what can and can’t be a part of your little one’s diet can be confusing. Consulting with a pediatrician is always a smart move to not only guide your feeding choices but to learn about dangerous foods and ingredients.