Reported by Li Yan, a reporter: Lotus seeds have a sweet taste and mild nature, often made into various delicious dishes. Lu Jie, a pharmacist from the Pharmacy Department of Tianjin Children's Hospital, reminds that adding lotus seeds to children's complementary foods can help nourish the spleen and stomach, but since the heart of the lotus seed is bitter and cold, it is important to pay attention to the method and dosage when feeding children.

Fresh lotus seeds contain a rich amount of starch and alkaloid components. Starch accumulation in the body can easily cause bloating, while alkaloid components have the effect of astringing the intestines and stopping diarrhea. Children's spleen and stomach are delicate, and eating too much lotus seeds may lead to dry stools and bloating. Especially for younger children, they should not consume too much.

Lotus seeds are small in size, making it easy for children to choke or even have them stuck in their trachea when eating. Therefore, do not give young children raw lotus seeds; instead, cook them into porridge or soup and ensure they are well-cooked. Additionally, lotus seeds, milk, and stomach acid can react to form substances that are difficult to digest, which may hinder a child's digestive function. Hence, when feeding children lotus seeds, avoid having them drink milk at the same time.

Moreover, lotus seed cores are cold and cooling in nature. Children's stomachs are delicate and their spleens are often insufficient, so coldness can harm the spleen. Therefore, when giving children lotus seeds, it is advisable to remove the cores.