Is Cinnamon Safe for Kids?

Many parents worry about what they feed their child. Some foods have too much fat, others are high in sugar and still others have no vitamins or minerals. A varied and well-balanced diet is the key to good overall health, growth and development, so balancing your child's meal plan is vital. Cinnamon offers several health benefits, but too much might not be safe for kids.

  1. Health Benefits

    • You'd probably never consider plopping a scoop of cinnamon on your child's plate, but incorporating it into your cooking repertoire can improve her health. Cinnamon can help with digestive complaints, according to the Families Eating Better website. It fights nausea and can improve the appetite of a child who doesn't want to eat. The spice can also have a positive effect on blood pressure, helping keep it within a normal range.

    How Much

    • You don't have to force large amounts of cinnamon into your child's mouth for her to reap the benefits it offers. A 1/2-teaspoon per day is enough to improve blood sugar levels, according to an article in Eating Well magazine. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to certain foods is enough to quell stomach upset. Cinnamon is available in shaker-top containers at the grocery store, but you can also buy it in bulk.

    Cooking Tips

    • Because most children aren't going to be willing to gobble a spoonful of cinnamon on its own, learning to use it in your recipes is an ideal way to get her to eat it without a battle. Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or add it to pancake or waffle batter. It also works well in brownies, cookies and sweet breads. Warm a flour tortilla, spread it with a bit of butter, sprinkle it with cinnamon and roll it up for a tasty snack. Stir cinnamon into vanilla ice cream or fold it into applesauce.

    Dangers

    • While not common, some kids might be allergic to cinnamon. In this case, even just a sprinkle can cause dangerous symptoms. If your child gets hives or has trouble breathing soon after eating cinnamon, get medical help right away. Some children participate in contest that involves cinnamon, according to a 2012 ABC News report. Called the "cinnamon challenge," kids swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon without water. Not only could your child choke, but if she inhales the cinnamon, it can damage her lungs. In the ABC News report, Dr. Robert Zaid of Providence Hospital in Alabama encourages parents to warn kids about the dangers of swallowing plain cinnamon.

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