Oyster mushrooms for children: is it possible, at what age, where to get mushrooms

Composition and beneficial properties

Mushrooms contain vitamins A and C, D, PP and group B, calcium and iron, sodium and potassium, phosphorus and other minerals. The composition includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. By the way, most of the useful elements are contained in the caps, and the legs carry virtually no nutritional value. Mushrooms perform the following beneficial properties and functions:

• Vitamin D is very necessary for babies, especially those who do not get enough sunlight. This element forms and promotes bone growth, strengthens muscles, prevents the development of rickets;
• They establish material metabolism, cleanse the body of harmful substances;
• Increases immunity and the body’s ability to resist infections;
• Produce new blood cells;
• Strengthens bones, nails and teeth;
• Improve skin condition;
• Improve sleep and help with insomnia;
• Relieves stress and calms, energizes and restores strength;
• Increase and maintain visual acuity;
• Remove harmful cholesterol and cleanse the blood;
• Improves the functioning of nerve cells.

The nutritional value and low calorie content of these fruits make the product healthy and tasty, including for children. It is excellent for dietary nutrition. But it also has negative factors, due to which there is no need to rush to introduce the product into the child’s diet. Let's take a closer look at why they are harmful. And we’ll find out when you can give mushrooms to children.

Can children have champignons?

One of the most important factors influencing the development of a child is his nutrition, and therefore many parents try to make their child’s diet as healthy and balanced as possible. However, it is often quite difficult to determine whether a particular product is considered healthy or unhealthy food, which raises a lot of questions, for example, can children eat champignons? In this article we will try to find out which group this type of mushroom belongs to, and whether they pose any danger to the health of the little gourmet.

The harm and danger of mushrooms

According to statistics, half of those poisoned by mushrooms are preschool children. It is very important to use only edible fruits grown in clean environmental conditions. Even edible mushrooms will be dangerous if they grow in contaminated soil, poisoned by industrial and chemical waste. In addition, it is important to prepare the product correctly. Under no circumstances should you eat raw or half-raw fruits.

Mushrooms contain chitin. This is a coarse natural compound that is located in the cell membrane of fruits. Such fiber is not digested and is difficult to digest in the stomach, complicates the absorption of other nutrients and does not even dissolve in sulfuric acid. This often leads to severe poisoning, disruption of the digestion and other internal organs. In addition, chitin can intensify allergic reactions to other foods.

The protein in mushrooms is only absorbed by three percent. For comparison, chicken egg white is 99% digestible, and beef meat is 75% digestible. The body of the fruit, like a sponge, absorbs dust and harmful substances from the soil and air. This further increases the toxicity and harm of the product.

Champignons and oyster mushrooms are grown in greenhouse conditions. They, unlike forest species, are safer. There is no risk of eating poisonous fruits. In addition, if grown properly, they are non-toxic and do not contain harmful chemicals. However, these types of fruits also contain chitin and are also difficult to digest.

How not to make a mistake in choosing?

Why are champignons, oyster mushrooms, honey mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms cultivated on an industrial scale? Because these are the most unpretentious species of the mushroom kingdom. They can grow almost anywhere. And the quality and safety of the product is determined by the soil on which the mushrooms were grown.

Small size and light color are signs of youth and freshness of champignons. Another good sign: a pink film under a white, cream or pinkish cap (depending on the place of collection). Dark, flabby, slippery mushrooms are life-threatening.

If the products are packaged, look at the date of collection, packaging and expiration date. It is recommended to store in the refrigerator for no more than a day, after first removing it from the plastic packaging. But you can put mushrooms in the freezer and eat them a year later. It is not recommended to store the product for several years, even in deep freezing.

At what age can mushrooms be given?

Wild mushrooms are not recommended for children under six or seven years of age. By the age of seven, the formation of the children's digestive system ends, and the baby is already ready for heavier food. Mushrooms grown under artificial conditions can be given to try at three to four years of age.

Some pediatricians, including the famous Dr. Komarovsky, allow the introduction of champignons and oyster mushrooms from the age of two. However, he does not recommend eating the product more than once a week and advises giving preference to fruits grown under artificial conditions. A suitable dish would be mashed potatoes or porridge with mushrooms and mushroom soup for children.

It is better to start introducing the product into the baby’s diet with champignons in the form of puree. Boil the fruits thoroughly and grind until puree, give half a teaspoon to taste and watch the children. If the baby’s health worsens, it is better to postpone the administration and consult a doctor.

If the baby feels well, you can sometimes give your child mushroom dishes. But it is important to prepare the product correctly and follow the recommendations for use. Despite their beneficial properties and composition, mushrooms are not an essential product in the human diet. Both adults and children can easily do without them.

Mushrooms should not be consumed if you have diseases of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, or digestive organs. They are prohibited in cases of frequent bloating, frequent vomiting and nausea, problems in the joints, and disturbances in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Poisoning

Intoxication of the body with poison can be deadly for a small organism. A child can take a mushroom from an adult’s table and eat it without permission. Children often try raw mushrooms on their teeth while walking in the forest. What to do if a child becomes ill, and how to identify symptoms of poisoning?

If the baby tries a couple of mushrooms on the table, the poisoning will not be severe. Mild intoxication may include:

• nausea;
• slight malaise;
• dizziness;
• pain in the tummy.

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms can cause:

• constriction of the pupils;
• copious secretion of saliva;
• unbearable pain in the tummy.

The baby will feel very sick, vomiting and profuse salivation. He will feel severe weakness and unbearable pain in the abdomen. Symptoms of intoxication always develop rapidly, and the baby needs immediate help.

The most dangerous thing is to find a fly agaric and taste it.

The fly agaric looks very elegant and attractive to a child: always remember this when going to the forest with children! Symptoms of fly agaric intoxication:

1. changes in pupils;
2. change in the psyche - inhibition or excitation;
3. constant vomiting and salivation;
4. limb spasms and delirium;
5. Hallucinations are possible.

Having a fever when overeating mushrooms is a good sign. This indicates the bacterial nature of the disease, and not intoxication.

Cooking and eating mushrooms

• Children are not recommended to eat mushrooms more than once a week. It’s better to reduce the frequency to once or twice a month. The daily norm of the product is 50-60 grams;
• Give preference to products grown in artificial conditions. Champignons are considered the safest because they are easier to digest than other types. The second safest are oyster mushrooms;
• Among the forest species, you can eat chanterelles and porcini mushrooms, but it is important to use only edible species, since poisonous analogues can be found in the forest! In addition, such products absorb heavy metals well, are difficult and take a long time to be absorbed in the body;
• Forest mushrooms should be collected only in ecologically clean areas, away from roads and highways, plants and factories. Give preference to fresh young fruits when cooking; sometimes you can use dried ones;
• Before cooking, wild mushrooms are boiled at least three times for 15 minutes. This will eliminate the chemicals they have absorbed from the soil or air;
• Before cooking, any types of mushrooms are carefully sorted, cleaned and washed. At first, it is better to grind the product to a mushy mass, as it is easier to chew and digest. Then gradually work your way down to finely chopped pieces;
• Children should not be given fried, salted or pickled, canned, raw or half-raw mushrooms!

Help with poisoning

You need to try to find out what exactly the child ate. If he is unable to answer, do the following:

1. call an ambulance;
2. rinse your stomach;
3. give an enema;
4. give activated carbon.

You should not engage in any self-medication! Give activated carbon in sufficient quantities according to the child’s weight. Coal absorbs poisons and removes them out.

After the measures have been taken, give the child warm tea and put him to bed. To avoid such cases, keep an eye on your children while walking in the forest and do not leave the festive table with mushrooms unattended!

Possible harm from eating champignons by a child

So, if champignons are so healthy, then why do experts still recommend limiting their consumption?

The thing is that these wonderful mushrooms bring significant benefits only if the child eats them in small quantities, but if such a product is eaten without moderation, then the risk of various side effects increases significantly.

• The protein contained in champignons is quite difficult to digest, especially if we are talking about a child’s body. Therefore, in case of overeating, side effects such as bloating, pain, flatulence and indigestion are possible.

• There are several varieties of champignons, including forest ones. The main danger of any mushrooms is associated with them - they can easily be confused with a poisonous product. For this very reason, pediatricians strongly do not recommend giving children “wild” mushrooms. It is better to use only artificially grown mushrooms.
• Forest champignons are also dangerous because their quality directly depends on where they grow. So, if the soil has been contaminated, heavy metals are deposited in the champignons, which then enter the child’s body.
• “Home” champignons are grown in soil mixed with manure, which increases the risk of food poisoning. That is why experts advise rinsing each mushroom extremely thoroughly before adding it to the dish.

The benefits of champignons for children's health

Many parents prefer to play it safe when it comes to feeding their children - even if doctors’ opinions regarding the safety of the product have changed dramatically over the years, they still try not to give it to their child.

This is especially true in cases where the usefulness of food is in question or almost nothing is known about it. It is the second option that is relevant for champignons - everyone knows that such mushrooms are poorly digested, but no one mentions that they are extremely useful, especially if we are talking about benefits for a growing body.

• Champignons are a high-protein food, so eating them can help lower blood cholesterol levels . Thanks to this, the vessels become more elastic and durable, which reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.
• Such mushrooms are an excellent source of such trace elements as iron . It is involved in a lot of processes taking place in our body, but its most important task is to ensure active hematopoiesis. For this reason, regular consumption of champignons promotes better blood production, which prevents anemia.
• Champignons contain linoleic acid . This substance is known for its ability to destroy cancer cells and inhibit their spread. In addition, the systematic intake of this acid into the body can prevent the development of cancer.
• Mushrooms are considered one of the best foods for diabetics because they contain slow-release carbohydrates. When digested, they gradually increase blood sugar levels, which eliminates the possibility of an attack.
• Also, due to the high protein content, champignons help stabilize blood glucose levels , which has a positive effect on the condition of the whole body.
• One of the most important features of champignons is the presence of a large amount of calcium in them . This mineral is extremely important for children, as it is necessary for intensive growth and the construction of new bone tissue. Additionally, calcium strengthens bones and teeth, making them very strong.
• Champignons also contain vitamin D , this substance helps the body better absorb nutritional compounds from food, which leads to an improvement in the condition of all organs and systems in the child’s body.

• Surprisingly, mushrooms can be used as a natural immune booster. The thing is that champignons contain a strong plant antioxidant. It strengthens the immune system and helps it actively remove harmful substances from the body . In addition, the abundance of vitamins in mushrooms further increases the activity of immune cells.
• Champignons are a rich source of such an important trace element as potassium . This mineral is necessary for a person to maintain water-salt balance, since it removes excess fluid from the body. This also reduces blood pressure and reduces the load on the cardiovascular system.
• When describing the benefits of champignons, such a wonderful element as selenium is often overlooked, although in fact it is extremely useful for humans. Consuming foods containing this mineral leads to improved health of hair, skin and nails .

Children's recipes

Cream soup

• 500-600 g of young caps;
• bulb;
• small carrots;
• 1 potato;
• sour cream;
• greenery;
• salt.

1. Pour 0.5 liters of water into a saucepan and place on the stove.
2. Peel the vegetables, chop finely, put in boiling water.
3. While the vegetables are boiling, clean the mushrooms, wash them, cut them and add them to the vegetable broth.
4. Cook the soup over low heat, remembering to remove the foam.
5. When the champignons are ready, remove the pan from the heat and use an immersion blender to grind its contents and add salt to taste.
6. Pour into plates, add herbs and sour cream. Serve with croutons.

Children usually really like this soup. But at what age it can be given to a child, you will have to decide for yourself, based on the scattered recommendations of pediatricians mentioned above.

Can children have champignons and at what age?

Champignons are well-known mushrooms, with a pleasant taste and not too strong a smell, but it is better to “collect” them in supermarkets, especially if you plan to cook for your child.

Photo: depositphotos.com. Author: zurijeta.

• among wild plants there are species whose poison causes intestinal upset;
• often edible mushrooms become dangerous due to accumulated toxins;
• Pale toadstools and white fly agaric mushrooms are similar to edible champignons, the poison of which is dangerous to humans.

Experienced mushroom pickers know not to put old and wormy specimens in the basket. We must also be careful with young fruiting bodies if they have grown in an inappropriate place: in a city square or park, in an industrial area, near wastewater treatment plants, in a cemetery.

A few words about the benefits

Analyzing the chemical composition of oyster mushrooms, one can identify a huge number of useful microelements and vitamins that are vital for our body: iron, protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins of groups PP, A, B, C. In addition, forest fruits have a bright taste and a pleasant aroma, which allows you to add them to any soups, pies, sauces, salads, etc. However, culture, like any other product, can become dangerous if consumed in unlimited quantities. Also, the delicacy can harm some groups of people, which we will talk about later.

When touching on the topic of nutrition, every person should take into account the fact that mushrooms are considered a difficult to digest product. A simple conclusion follows from this - they should not be used by weakened elderly people, young children and those who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

How to properly introduce it into your diet

Some lovers of quiet hunting become so accustomed to mushrooms in their diet that, without hesitation, they begin to feed the heavy delicacy to their babies, encountering intoxication or digestive problems. It’s good if the alarm bell becomes a lesson for moms and dads, but often parents decide that the baby simply overate an unfamiliar product, without stopping to offer the child fruit in the future.

What could be the consequences? At what age can you treat your heirs? You will find answers to these important questions by continuing to read our article further.

Video “Can a child eat mushrooms?” — Komarovsky

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Hello. My name is Polina. Having once heard the truth that a pediatrician is the main doctor for any family with small children, I realized that I had something to strive for. Rate this article:

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