Often you want to diversify the menu and cook something tasty. However, if the family has a small child, then with some dishes you need to be careful. For example, mushrooms are the product that the smallest child should not give. Why? In the article we will talk about this, as well as about how many years children can eat mushrooms.
The benefits of mushrooms
There are people who believe that mushrooms are a useless food product. However, this is not at all true. They contain a lot of fiber and protein. There are trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sodium and others. It is also rich in vitamins C, PP, B 2 , B 1 , A. Naturally, this proves the enormous benefit that the representatives of this kingdom have in themselves.
At the same time, it is known that the mushrooms that are collected in the forest should be treated with great care not only for children, but also for adults.
Mushroom harm
Why are they talking about the dangers of mushrooms and extreme caution when using them? The fact is that, despite a large number of useful substances, they are absorbed by the body hard, as they contain a lot of indigestible fibers. In addition, you need to be sure that the place where they gather is environmentally friendly. After all, growing from the ground, mushrooms absorb toxic substances that are especially sensitive to the body of the child.
Children's doctors add to this two more reasons prohibiting the use of mushrooms. It:
- the content of chitin in them - a stable compound, because of which it is difficult to digest them;
- sponge - that is, the absorption of all harmful substances from the environment.
Parents often ignore these points, believing that mushrooms always ate, and everything was in order with people. But let's not forget that the environmental situation was earlier better than what it is today.
That is why young children cannot eat them. But the question arises: how many years can you give mushrooms to a child? Which ones? How to introduce this dish in the diet?
How old and how old can mushrooms be for children?
Experts have different points of view on this question. According to them, the child is given mushrooms, starting from two years to ten. To answer this question, it is advisable for parents to read the literature, consult a pediatrician, and also take into account external factors. And on the basis of all the information taken together make the right decision.
Consider different points of view on this subject.
- If there is no consensus on how many years children can eat mushrooms, then there is no debate about how many years they cannot be eaten. Everyone is sure that until a child reaches two years of age, mushrooms are prohibited.
- 50% of doctors believe that in the period from 2 to 5 years, this product can be eaten little by little. But here, someone believes that giving them to a child can already be two years old. And according to other experts, the minimum age should be 5 years. First, the mushrooms are served as a seasoning for the dish. Later, you can offer separately well-cooked pieces. But you need to eat them no more than once a week.
- Most experts agree that by the age of seven the child’s body is already ready for the use of this product. This is the optimal age. That's how many years you can eat mushrooms for children. Naturally, all safety precautions, however, must be taken.
- If the body is weakened by some kind of disease, then the best age, from how many years you can give mushrooms to a child, is 10. Otherwise, he may have even greater health problems.

Do not listen to the opinion of “knowledgeable” neighbors and other advisers that their children have eaten mushrooms since they were two years old, and everything was fine with them. Children are different. Therefore, the consequences may also vary. In some, the product is easily perceived by the body, while in others it causes indigestion.
Introducing mushrooms into a child’s diet
Note that the nutritional value of mushrooms (sugar, proteins and fats) is concentrated in its caps. In addition, the legs contain a certain substance called chitin. This element is harmful to children. This suggests the conclusion that, having figured out over time, how many years can children eat mushrooms, they are introduced into the child’s diet, starting with hats.
In addition, it is worth considering the types with which to start using. Can children be champignons and how many years? Pediatricians recommend trying just mushrooms and oyster mushrooms first (we’ll talk about age a little lower). Then you can eat porcini mushrooms and mushrooms. At the same time, it is better for children not to give them in the pickled, fried and salted form, as they will be too heavy for the child's body.
Mushrooms for pregnant and lactating women
Women in this period should generally be careful about nutrition. The use of mushrooms is no exception. The health of not only mom, but also a small creature, whose body is still weak, directly depends on nutrition. The best rule that mothers can follow at such a time is only that with respect to the quality of which there is absolute certainty. Moreover, in the first months of lactation it is better not to experiment with food, but there is only healthy and easy to digest food.
How old are children with champignon mushrooms?
If life without fungi seems bleak, then we can advise you to use artificially grown champignons and oyster mushrooms. Since how old can children be given mushrooms of these species? Such products in the smallest amount give even a baby one and a half year old.
A few words about Kombucha and Kefir
Kombucha drink quenches thirst in summer heat. But some parents, in connection with its name, have doubts about whether to give it to their child. Sometimes they are allowed to drink this drink from the age of how many years children can eat mushrooms.
However, you need to understand that in the generally accepted sense there is no fungus in it. This product is a symbiosis of acetic acid bacteria and yeast. Moreover, the latter have the main "work", as they saturate the drink with nutrients. Thanks to this, immunity grows, hair, nails and teeth become stronger, the body gets rid of toxins.
Thus, Kombucha is suitable for the child's body, and it can be given in small portions from the age of six months. And children who have reached 3 years old can use normal doses.
In addition to tea, there is kefir mushroom. It is similar to the first, but it has more bifidobacteria, due to which the work of the digestive tract comes back to normal. But the composition also includes alcohol. It is this component that makes it prohibited for children. However, it is often given from the age of one year in small portions.
Poisoning
But back to those mushrooms that grow in the forest. When deciding how many years you can give mushrooms to children, you need to remember that their composition also includes poisons. Therefore, there are cases of mushroom poisoning. And some of them have sad consequences. Poisoning occurs due to eating an inedible fungus or due to excessive amounts. I must say that no one is safe from this. Therefore, you need to know what to do and what to do if the child is poisoned.
Poisoning can be of a different nature. With a mild form, only slight weakness and dizziness are observed. An uncritical condition is characterized by the fact that abdominal cramps are added to the above. With moderate severity, there is also an increasing pain, narrowing of the pupils and severe salivation.
It is noteworthy that high temperature suggests that the poisoning is bacterial, which means it is much easier to treat. In order to understand how to help a child before a doctor arrives, you need to be able to accurately determine the degree and type of poisoning.
- The main rule is not to panic and call a doctor.
- Before his arrival, the children are wrapped as warm as possible. The fact is that mushrooms contain harmful gelwellic acid. But she will die at high temperature.
- Next, you should find out from the child what kind of mushroom he ate.
- In the absence of vomiting, try to call him. To do this, they give him a drink more warm water, and then lightly press a finger on the root of the tongue.
- After vomiting give activated charcoal.
- Then give the child hot tea.
- At the end, they make an enema.
In no case should you give him acidic, because of this, the poison will be absorbed into the body faster.
Conclusion
Thus, when deciding whether children can be given mushrooms, how many years to do this, one must be careful and take into account many factors. Even if the dish is tasty and fragrant, but the child is still too small, it is better to refuse him a test. After all, this step can lead to too serious consequences.