I’m a nurse & there’s five things I’d NEVER pack in a child’s lunchbox – & the popular Easter treats to steer clear of

IF you're a parent, chances are you'll know only too well how hard it can be knowing what food to pack in your child's lunch box.

But for anyone struggling, then you may just want to listen up...because a nurse has shared five common foods that mums and dads may not realise could pose a choking hazard risk to your little one.

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The expert named Sarah Hunstead also shared advice on alternatives you could buy instead - and the Easter treats that should be saved for the safety of your own home.

Popcorn

Whilst it's a much-loved snack that many of us tuck into at the cinema, according to Sarah, it's a treat that should be avoided in a kid's lunch box.

She warns that the sweet or salty treat can pose a choking risk for young children, especially those who are under four-years-old.

Instead, Sarah, who is a paediatric nurse and founder of CPR Kids, recommends choosing the likes of cheese and crackers or rice cakes instead.

Whole grapes

Parents are constantly being encouraged to feed their children a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg for added nutritional goodness.

But according to the nurse, they shouldn't be feeding their children any small circular foods that pose a risk of getting trapped in their small windpipes.

She goes on to share grapes as an example and advises: "It's best to slice grapes into smaller, more manageable pieces before packing them in your child's lunchbox - lengthwise and into quarters - NOT halves."

Cherry tomatoes

Sharing the same reasoning as she does for grapes, the nurse notes: "Cherry tomatoes are small and round, making them a choking hazard for young children."

She then recommends chopping the tomatoes into quarters in a bid to "mitigate this risk" of choking.

Sausages

If you've had bangers and mash the night before, you may be tempted to put the leftover sausages in your children's lunchboxes.

But this is something Sarah strongly advises against because the tough and thick casing on the meat can be tricky for youngster's teeth to get through.

As a result, this increases the chances of choking. Instead she advises chopping up the sausage meat into slices.

Nuts

Sarah warns that nuts should be avoided for two reasons - not only are they a choking risk but there's amongst the most common allergies for children.

She points out that even traces of nuts can cause severe allergic reactions, so it's worth steering clear of them altogether.

As an alternative, the nurse suggests purchasing nut-free granola bars that are just as tasty but without the risk.

Easter treats

With Easter just around the corner, it can be tempting to send your kid to school with a chocolatey treat - be it Creme Eggs or Mini Eggs.

But Sarah urges parents to wait until their kids are in the safety of their own home before tucking in.

She says: "These treats, while delicious, can pose a choking risk, particularly for young children who may not understand the importance of chewing thoroughly.

"If you include Easter treats in your child's lunchbox (or need to donate choccy eggs for school activities and the like) opt for larger, hollow eggs!"