When children are first learning to feed themselves, cut meat into small julienne strips that can be picked up and eaten by hand. Older children who are using tableware still need to have their meat cut into bite-size pieces with fat and gristle trimmed to prevent choking. Serve peanut butter with jelly, never alone or by the spoonful. Plain peanut butter is hard to swallow and can cause choking. Although higher in fat and sodium than fresh meat, processed meats are acceptable when served in moderation as part of a variety of protein sources.
Children often find processed meats easier to chew than other meats.
Children like their vegetables crunchy, not soft. Vegetables steamed in a small amount of water, microwaved or stir-fried are not only crisp, but retain most of their color, flavor and nutrients better than those cooked in large amounts of water. Many strong vegetables such as cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli and asparagus are very acceptable to children when served with grated cheese or a cheese sauce. Avoid feeding raw carrots and whole peas, corn and grapes to children under four years old to prevent choking. Cook and mash carrots, corn and peas, and cut grapes into fourths.