Can a Kid Get Sick From Eating Too Many Bananas?

Face it, kids can be picky eaters, and it can be difficult to get them to eat the foods they should be eating. When kids have a favorite food, that food might be one of the few foods he will eat. Bananas are a healthy choice because they come packed with nutrients such as vitamin B6, fiber and potassium. While bananas are a great choice in moderation, eating too many can be harmful to your health. Just remember the old saying that having ̶0;too much of a good thing̶1; might not be wise.

  1. About Bananas

    • Bananas are portable, and you can eat them in a variety of ways, whether you eat them alone or you add them to smoothies or cereal. They̵7;re higher in carbohydrates and natural sugars than some other fruits, but they are also high in vitamin B6, which can help keep your blood sugar levels where they should be; they are also high in fiber, which improves digestion. The other important nutrient in bananas is potassium, which is a mineral and electrolyte that the body needs to function properly, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    How Much Is Safe

    • If your child is crazy about bananas, it's okay to let him have some every day, but you should set some limits. You should follow the chart for adequate intake for potassium that the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established, as recommended by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The chart states that children aged 1 to 3 years should get 3,000 milligrams daily, kids 4 to 8 need 3,800 milligrams, 9- to 13-year-olds need 4,500 milligrams and adolescents 14 to 18 years should be getting 4,700 milligrams of potassium daily. One medium-sized banana contains around 422 milligrams of potassium.

    Risks of Eating Too Many

    • Eating too many bananas, more than the recommended amount of potassium per day, can lead to health problems. Too much potassium in your blood is called hyperkalemia, according to WebMD, which is extremely dangerous because it can change your heart's rhythm. Hyperkalemia can be caused by eating too many potassium-rich foods, some medications and kidneys that aren't functioning properly.

    Alternatives

    • So, it's okay to let your kids eat a banana now and then, as long as they̵7;re not eating bananas only or eating too many of them. Encourage your children to try other types of fruit to see if they like them. One way to get your kids to try new things is by taking them shopping with you and allowing them to select fruits they would like to try. Kids need between 1 cup and 2 cups of fruit per day, depending on age and gender, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov. Keep fresh fruit on hand for your kids, such as grapes, apples, oranges, berries, melons and raisins.

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