A delicious, sweet treat that comes directly from nature, honey has always been considered a tasty treat, especially for those with a sweet tooth like children. But this sticky substance has been part of the culture for so long that many myths and misunderstandings surrounding honey’s safety and use with children have persisted. Let’s look at the truth about honey and separate the facts from fiction.
Honey that crystalizes is spoiled
FICTION: It is perfectly safe to feed your children honey that is granulated (also described as crystallized.) Crystalized honey has undergone a separation of the sugar (glucose) crystals and the water, but it is safe to eat and can even be remixed to restore its original state.Unfiltered honey is the most nutritious
FICTION: Honey that is unfiltered simply has not been cleaned of extraneous materials like pollen grains, wax, or even air bubbles. Filtered honey does not have any specific nutritional value that unfiltered has, and so both are equally healthy to ingest.Honey lasts forever
FACT: If cared for correctly, honey can last indefinitely. Honey that is exposed to the air will eventually spoil like every natural substance. Instead, store it in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed container to extend the life of the honey forever.Honey is a good treat to put on newborn pacifiers
FICTION: Honey can contain the bacteria that produces botulism so it should not be used with newborns. For reasons scientists do not fully understand, infants cannot safely fight botulism spores that have entered their digestive tract as older children and adults can. Children under the age of one should not be given honey to avoid the risk of ingesting this botulism bacteria.Honey can be many different colors
FACT: Many people think of honey as only a yellow-gold color, but the truth is that honey can take on many different shades and still be natural honey. When bees create honey, its color derives from many factors like the flower nectar used, the climate they live in, and even the soil of the flowers. In addition, honey color can darken with age and exposure to warmer temperatures while being stored, changing its appearance and color.Honey should never be stored in a metal container
FACT: The acidic nature of honey can eventually corrode a metal container. Instead, it should be stored in a glass or other non-metal container. Likewise, honey that is dipped with a metal spoon may eventually corrode the spoon as well. A quick dip into a container of honey won’t ruin the spoon or the honey, but eventually, some corrosion may happen over time.Honey has medicinal uses
FACT: Up until the end of the 20th century, honey was the traditional therapy used for treating infections. Today, we still see honey as an ingredient in throat-soothing applications like cough drops. Homemade cough or sore throat therapies including honey are commonly given to children and adults around the world since honey does soothe and calm the feeling of a scratchy throat as well as help in cough suppression.Honey is just as sweet as table sugar
FACT: If your little one is asking for something sweet, a treat sweetened with a bit of honey will be just as satisfyingly sweet as one sweetened with table sugar. And since honey is sweeter than table sugar, you can use less of it in food as well.Honey is not a good source of energy
FICTION: With its natural combination of carbohydrates and glucose, honey is an excellent source of long-lasting energy. Honey is a perfect natural ingredient to include in an energy-revving snack for kids and adults alike.Honey is a great sugar substitute for children one year and older (and for us adults too.) There’s a ton of information about honey on the internet. Some of it is true, and some false. If you want to learn more about honey from beekeeping experts, check out our site’s blog: The Local Buzz.
Ck Harrington is a honey-loving content writer who appreciates the sweet work of bees and beekeepers. Ck uses honey to sweeten his coffee, topping on toast, and as a homeopathic complement to his antihistamine regimen. He’s also fond of eating honey by the spoonful simply for the joy of it (the allergies are only a justifiable excuse to eat more.)
