There's nothing tastier than a spoonful of peanut butter or a helping of fruit-flavored gummies—but did you know that these foods hold untold dangers. Being mindful of what you eat is one way to avoid choking, but when it comes to these 20 food items—it's better to be extra careful.
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1. Hot Dogs
Sitting at the #1 spot as the most common choking hazard are hot dogs, which are especially dangerous for small children when cut up into rounded pieces. Ensuring the right shape and size is essential to protecting your child. Even adults should be careful when scarfing down this summer classic.
2. Whole Grapes
While grapes may sound like a healthy and nutritious snack, their circular and wide shape makes them susceptible to getting stuck. Be sure to chew your grapes up—and no matter what—don’t swallow them whole!
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3. Popcorn
Next time you’re getting comfy in the movie theater, be mindful of the popcorn you’re munching on. The texture and shape make them prone to getting lodged in the throat, and the smaller hard kernels are just as dangerous. As long as you're careful, popcorn serve as a great light snack.
4. Bones
When eating meat with the bones still in, be sure to remove them before chewing and swallowing. Smaller children, in particular, may be less aware and are more likely to choke on these byproducts. Perhaps opt for boneless varieties when cooking for the whole family.
5. Nuts
With a plethora of nuts to choose from, whether they be peanuts or walnuts, this is a healthy snack that is great for your system. But the hard and small shapes of nuts make them all too easy to swallow accidentally.
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6. Marshmallows
It’s hard to think of the squishy and soft texture of marshmallows as anything close to dangerous—but their stickiness is what makes them a choking hazard. They can get stuck to the walls of the throat, especially when lying down while eating.
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7. Gum
Similarly, gum acts the same way as marshmallows, sticking to the walls whenever anyone tries to swallow it. It might be best to avoid giving kids gum, and if you do decide to share some, ensure they are sitting straight.
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8. Chips
Everyone loves snacking on chips, but their hard exterior and variety of shapes make them less than ideal for a smooth swallow. If you feel the chips scraping as they go down, you might want to chew them a little longer.
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9. Peanut Butter
As the epitome of smooth food, it may surprise you to know that peanut butter is a very common choking hazard. Adults are probably okay with this one, but for children under the age of one, this food is highly dangerous due to its sticky texture.
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10. Pretzels
Another crunchy and delicious snack, pretzels suffer from the same hindrances as chips and popcorn. Their sharp texture allows them to scrape the walls of the throat and latch on—which is why you’re better off chewing them thoroughly before swallowing.
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11. Hard Candy
While hard candies are a delectable treat that many people like to pop in as they go about their day-to-day activities—they are also a hazard when knocked back into the throat. Picture it now: you’re sucking on hard candy when someone accidentally bumps into you. Uh-oh.
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12. Sunflower Seeds
The shape and firmness of these seeds make them prone to blocking the airways if swallowed incorrectly. That being said, continue to indulge in this delicious snack—just be cautious!
13. Cherries with Pits
Cherries are known for their tartness and health benefits. Eating your way around a cherry seed is a bit of an art, especially if you can do it in a few bites. Just be sure not to accidentally swallow the seed and instead dispose of it properly as you snack.
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14. Taffy
This tasty treat suffers from the same sticky and gooey texture that is prone to blocking the airways. Be sure to supervise children while they eat it. That being said, there are plenty of amazing flavors to choose from, making taffy a versatile sweet.
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15. Nuggets
Whether you prefer to make dino nuggies at home or get your fix from McDonald's—the world loves nuggets. But like many food products, these nuggets hold untold dangers. Just be sure to take small bites and chew your food, and you’ll be fine.
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16. Celery
Another healthy treat, celery suffers from the same cylindrical shape that makes hot dogs so dangerous. Even if you cut them into smaller squares, their firm texture may lead to them getting stuck.
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17. Whole Canned Fruits
While a can of fresh peaches or pineapples sounds like a beneficial treat, be sure to take your time when eating. Eating too fast and not chewing enough often makes these simple foods a real danger. For children, consider cutting up the fruit or mashing it beforehand.
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18. Crackers
Like chips and pretzels, crackers are only safe to eat once they’ve been thoroughly cracked and chewed. Swallowing too big of a bite puts you at risk. So next time you’re enjoying a box of Ritz—pace yourself!
19. Gummy Candies
While hard candies have the tendency to get lodged in the throat—gummy candies suffer from the opposite problem. Their sticky structure makes them attach to the walls and close off airways, which is why they should be avoided by young children.
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20. Tough Meat
Cooking your meat to the right temperature ensures everyone can enjoy it safely—whether that means preventing salmonella or achieving a melt-in-your-mouth texture. However, meat that is served tough can’t be chewed into smaller pieces, making it quite a choking hazard.
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