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Pediatric Nutrition - FAQ
1. What if my child won’t eat vegetables?
- Be a role model to your child by eating nutrient dense foods that include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Remember that fruit has plenty of many of the same nutrients vegetables do.
- Be creative in serving and preparing in different ways.
- Try chopped vegetables in foods like soup and muffins.
- Serve vegetables with melted cheese.
- Cut vegetables in different shapes.
- Serve vegetables every day at lunch and dinner, but do not force your child to eat it.
- Serve vegetable sticks with yogurt dip; your child may like to dip vegetables better than eating them plain.
2. My child takes the same lunch every day. How can I introduce new food to my child?
It is not uncommon for kids to eat the same thing every day. In order for kids to try out new foods, you may have to present a new food a few times before your child will try it. Kids are slow to accept new foods and texture. Do not use food as a reward.
3. What if my toddler won’t drink milk?
Milk and milk products provides essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and protein. These play an important role in the growth and development of a child’s bone and teeth. Serve cheese, yogurt, and foods made with milk, such as cream soups, puddings etc. When serving milk, use small colorful glasses.
In place of a 6 ounce glass of milk, you can substitute:
- 1 ounce of hard cheese
- 6 ounces of yogurt
- 6 ounces of ice milk
- Other foods that will add calcium to your child’s diet are tofu, leafy vegetables such as turnip greens, collards, kale, and broccoli, and blackstrap molasses.
4. What are some healthy, portable snacks for my child?
Think of snacks as a chance to serve your child nutritious food, not just cookies or crackers. Plan ahead and keep a small cooler or lunchbox full of snacks to go, for example
- Fresh fruit like bananas, sliced pears, strawberries, or cup of applesauce or diced peaches
- Fresh vegetables like thin zucchini strips, diced cooked carrots, cucumber sticks, etc.
- Half sandwiches on soft, whole grain bread
- Cheese with whole grain crackers
- Low fat yogurt, whole grain cereals
5. My pediatrician told me that my 9 year old has a high BMI. What is BMI?
BMI, body mass index is a ratio of height (in meters square) and weight (in kilograms). It roughly correlates to the percentage of your total weight that comes from fat. Children above the 85th percentile of the BMI growth curve should be considered at risk for overweight. Children above the 95th percentile should be considered overweight. Overweight children and adolescent are at higher risk of adult obesity.
6. What is Failure to Thrive? My pediatrician told me that my 1 year old has Failure to Thrive.
Failure to Thrive is a condition that affects the growth, development and nutritional status of infants and children. It usually applies to children up to the age of 2 years. FTT is characterized by cluster of symptoms that include growth delay, failure to maintain or gain weight, decreased activity, and cognitive delay, behavioral and social problems.
Shortly after birth expected weight loss occurs in most infants, but babies should gain steady and age appropriate weight. When a baby or an infant failed to gain expected weight, or continue to loose weight, it is not thriving. FTT could be due to one or more conditions.
Healthy Habits for Children is a list that offers additional information of healthy eating behaviors that will work for the entire family. Remember parents are the main role model for their children.
Some of these habits your child and you may already practice; however, some will be new for your child and self. If your child is old enough, sit down with your child, and each set a goal. Take one or two suggestions at a time until you form that new habit and it becomes a part of your everyday life. Once you are successful with one change, move on to the next!
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