Picky Eaters, Nutrition, and Tips for Parents

Many toddlers and children go through phases where they are picky about what they will and will not eat. My daughter was never a picky eater until she went to kindergarten and saw how other children were eating and not eating. Some toddlers start off picky and then turn into children who eat everything. Regardless of what category your child falls in, there may be times once a child reaches 2 years of age when you might want to consider vitamins as a back-up.

Since young children cannot swallow vitamins liquid vitamins can be easier before age 8. A number of vitamins have additives and coloring that is not healthy for a child. The brand I use is a liquid vitamin that tastes like yummy orange juice. It has no preservatives or additives. I was having a hard time finding a vitamin with enough Vitamin D and Omega 3s (DHA) since the ones I tried, my daughter would not eat or many brands did not have 100% recommended daily allowance. I discovered Vemma vitamins sold by a company who has made vitamins for the last 15 years. This product has plant-source DHA and comes with a cute little "shot" glass that kid's love.

My favorite nutrients in this yummy liquid vitamin that Dr. 0z says is one of the best Vitamins out there (Minerals and Super Foods too) are:

DHA: ( Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid which helps the brain and eyes. The product I use for my daughter has vegetarian DHA. Low levels of DHA have been associated with allergies, eczema, depression, menstrual pain, constipation, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and other learning disabilities. Some studies have shown it to help to reduce the risk of cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In adults it has been shown to reduce anxiety, headaches, depression, and stress. By lowering production of prostaglandin (chemical that causes pain and inflammation). A recent study showed a reduction in headaches with Omega-3 fats. And last but not least, we all have heard how Omega-3 fat reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the level of blood triglycerides in humans. In adults, triglycerides should be below 150. My triglycerides were 183! After taking Omega 3 they went to 71. There are now schools adding Omega-3 fatty acids to their school lunch programs.

Vitamin D: A deficiency of this fat soluble vitamin has now been shown to be associated with increased incidences of heart attacks, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, periodontal disease, fractures, impaired cognitive functions, Immune system problems (helps with colds), bacterial vaginosis, and many forms of cancer.

Vitamin C: Lowers stress by limiting cortisol (Stress hormone) production and stimulants "feel good" Oxytocin.

Mangosteen: Super fruit that protects the body from infection and against cellular damage. It is an Antioxidant and has Anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition, this Vitamin has Vitamin A, B, C, D, E plus super foods like Mangosteen, Grape, Carrot, Spinach, Tomato, Kiwi, Mulberry, Pomegranate, Plum, and Asparagus plus Aloe Vera and Green Tea (no caffeine). Perfect for kids and elderly or any one that does not like taking a bunch of pills.

To see a list of all Vitamins, minerals, and super foods in this product go to: Supplement Facts

To order liquid vitamins so your child will be begging you for the best tasting "juice" out there go to my site:

http://adviceforbaby.vemma.com

Pregnancy and Nutrition:

Evidence suggests that what you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby. Studies show that the mother’s diet can influence what a child likes and dislikes later. So if you only eat junk food they may not acquire a taste for healthy foods. In addition a mother’s diet can influence probability for heart/cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Studies even goes as far to show how your diet before you even conceive can affect your baby: READ MORE

__________Probability Index for Picky Eaters___________

How to get your kids to eat everything?

A recent article in Newsweek got me thinking about all the mistakes parents make when feeding children that effect eating habits in a negative way. I decided to come up with an INDEX that measures the possibility of your child getting the wrong messages at mealtime. This will measure the chances of you having a fussy eater.

Below you will find a number of ways parents deal with mealtime that do NOT work. The more of these you are doing, the more likely your child will battle food in some way. Having a healthy relationship with food is very difficult to do in today’s world. Some taste preferences, they are finding, are genetic but I believe environment plays a much larger role.

• Don’t make another meal when your child says they don’t like what you made. Unless your child is very sick and is only wanting a certain food, never get up to make them something different than what you are eating at that meal.

What to do: Offer various options each day. One day is rice, next day potatoes, next day couscous, next day risotto, etc.

• Don’t give kid food vs. adult food.

What to do: Serve a variety of “adult” foods. Limit kid foods like chicken nuggets, corn dogs, fries to once a month. Limit chips and snack foods to a few times a week or less. Kids will eat all types of fruits that you may not like, veggies including onion, garlic, and even fish! It is up to you to cook and serve these things. Get a cookbook if needed.

• Don’t eat separate from your child when possible. Having your child eat before you will not model the importance of dinner time, and you should be eating with them the foods you expect them to eat. Studies show kids that eat more meals with parents have a number of benefits including less likely to be in trouble or fail academically. They have people keeping tabs and communicating with them.

What to do: Have at least one parent eat with child and serve 3 different foods on the plate on most nights. Sit down for meals as a family as much as you can. Even if it is for breakfast.

• Don’t push your child to eat.

What to do: Be more passive like you could care less if they eat. Say “you don’t like this? Well you can eat in the morning but do not ask for dessert.” Stick to it and even if they whine, scream, or cry, do not give in. If done firmly the first time it is unlikely to even happen again. They will understand that they eat what is there and macaroni and cheese for every meal just will not happen.

• Don’t drink soda, eat junk, and expect your child to do different.

What to do: Teach your child the difference between healthy food and junk food. They can learn this by 3 years old. Explain what happens if you eat too much unhealthy food. Don’t focus on weight, focus on health, living well, and being mentally and physically strong.

• Don’t bribe your child at every meal. It is ok to say no dessert but to bribe them with a treat for every bite is pushing it.

What to do: Just ignore them while eating. Talk to others in the family. They may take a lot longer to eat, that is fine.

• Don’t show concern in your facial expression or by your actions when babies, toddlers, and kids don’t eat. It is not their last meal. If you lay off the nagging or food becomes a power struggle.

What to do: Keep a calm disposition and do not over react which can cause battles.

• Don’t completely forbid a food. This makes it more sought after.

What to do: Junk food is ok in moderation but if you only eat and serve good food they will like it and prefer it over junk. Fries are a once a month thing. That means you should not order them either.

• Don’t give a child only the foods you like. You would not believe what your child would eat if given the chance.

What to do: Offer 5 new foods a week once child is 1 year old.

• Don’t have issues with food your self and expect your child will not pick up on them even at an unconscious level. They are really watching EVERTHING you do.

What to do: Model to your child what you expect.

Don’t feel bad if you already made mistakes. It does make it easier if you start from the beginning and make none of these mistakes. Cook with your kids as much as you can. It does take a few minutes longer but really helps. Have toddler-age task of setting the table for a sticker or an extra book at night. Serve milk or water at dinner time. Other meals you can give variety but always milk/water for dinner. Milk is the better option with nutrients kids need. Organic non-fat milk is a great choice along with a multi-vitamin once a day. Recently doctors said is OK not to give whole milk. You still get the good stuff. Plus milk is fortified so they add good nutrients into it.

Health and nourishment should be the focus with eating not weight. The word “Diet” should not be in anyone in your family’s vocabulary. Some children even go through a chubby year or two. Do not over react that is normal. Balance of eating and activity is needed. Exercise and eating healthy food and discussing why it is important should be talked about and modeled by parents and other family members when possible.