What Do Turkish Parents Think About Using Bee Products for Their Children?

Healthy nutrition is an essential factor in the growth and development of children. To support children's developmental processes and protect them from diseases, their immune systems must be strengthened through a balanced diet. Bee products are natural substances with high nutritional value. Although various studies show the benefits of bee products on human health, there are uncertainties among parents regarding their use. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate parents' awareness of using bee products for their children and to determine their perceptions about the effects of these products on their health. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 40 parents of children aged 4-6 years. It was found that the bee products consumed by their children were primarily honey, with some parents also using propolis and pollen. In cases where children did not want to consume bee products, parents mixed bee products with other foods to make them more palatable. Parents use natural products to support their children's development and protect them from diseases, and generally prefer honey as a bee product.