The New Year holiday is a time when many families change their eating habits. Young children are often favored with cakes, candies, ready-made food or snacks. If food safety is not well controlled, children are very likely to encounter problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and even food poisoning.
The first mistake parents often make is feeding children too many processed foods. Sausages, cold cuts, canned foods, colorful and convenient candies but often contain a lot of salt, sugar and preservatives.
With a still young digestive system, young children have difficulty adapting, are prone to bloating and digestive disorders. During Tet, these foods should only be used in moderation and should not replace main meals.
The second mistake is being subjective in food preservation. Pre-cooked food left at room temperature for too long, heated again and again many times or improperly stored in the refrigerator all pose a risk of infection.
Parents should divide portions into smaller portions, close them tightly, keep them cold at the correct temperature and only heat them once before feeding them to children.
Another common mistake is feeding children according to adults. Many holiday foods such as spicy, salty, greasy, or spicy foods are not suitable for young children.
This can cause children to have digestive irritation, loss of appetite or constipation. It is best for parents to prepare separate, bland and soft portions, suitable for age.
Eating outside is also a big risk if you do not choose carefully. On holidays, many families take their children out to play and eat at eateries. Unsanitary food, unclean water sources or unsafe processing tools can all cause disease. When forced to eat outside, you should choose a reputable place, avoid raw, stale food and food left for a long time.
Many parents also give their children soft drinks, bottled water with a lot of sugar instead of filtered water. This not only affects oral hygiene but also makes children lose appetite, increasing the risk of digestive disorders. Children should drink enough filtered water and milk according to their needs, and minimize soft drinks during holidays.
To ensure food safety for young children during the New Year holiday, parents need to adhere to the principle of "eat cooked food, drink boiled water", and choose fresh food of clear origin.
Vegetables and fruits need to be washed and soaked thoroughly; meat and fish must be cooked completely. At the same time, maintain the habit of washing hands before eating and after going to the toilet for children.
Food safety is the foundation of a healthy diet. Just being more careful in each meal, parents can help young children spend the New Year holiday happily, healthily and without unfortunate health incidents.
(The article is for reference only, not for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical expert if you have questions).
