Some favorite child foods such as grapes, hot dogs, peanuts, corn, popcorn, and hard chunks of raw fruits and vegetables can be dangerous for small children, Elgin said. These foods are choking hazards to children who do not chew their food, and should be held until the child chews completely. In his latest and last book, Benjamin Spock, M.D., has recommended an all-plant, or vegan, diet for children older than 2. Vegetarian diets can be a very healthy diet, Elgin said, but parents need to ensure their child is getting the right amount of nutrients they need such as iron, B12, zinc, and calcium. These nutrients are most prominent in animal products.
Parents also seem concerned about the amount of fat intake in their child's diet.
While low fat diets are very popular, they can cause neurological problems in children. But, excessive amounts of fat in the diet can be harmful in the long-term. Elgin recommends that moderation in fat intake be an important principle in diet planning. This should be a time for relaxing, not fighting with your child about what they eat. Copyright 1997, University of Kentucky.