Kids. They don’t always eat that well. They may limit the foods they eat, such as depending on peanut butter sandwiches, pasta, or crackers. In extreme cases, they may have food jags that lead them to demand a specific brand of a certain food, such as frozen chicken nuggets or boxed macaroni and cheese.
Children without much variety in their diets are at risk for certain nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin D, some B vitamins, and zinc are just some common nutrients of concern in children. And the average American child is low in fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains.
What can you do?! The good news is that there are strategies to keep children nourished, healthy, and growing properly. And they don’t need to involve fighting over food. Here are some ways to make sure your picky eater gets the vitamins they need.
Don’t Worry Too Much
The first step is to get a handle on the situation. Be sure to ask their pediatrician about their growth and any other concerns, but be prepared to accept that your child is probably getting enough calories and protein. Children tend to eat more than you think. Even if they may skimp at one meal, they may compensate at snack time or the next meal. They are good at self-regulating intake, and your pediatrician is probably correct if she says not to worry about calories and protein.
Sneak in Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Nutritious Foods
Does your child “hate vegetables?” Are you worried that, like most children, she does not get enough fruits and whole grains? Then sneak them into his diet!
- Soups are great vehicles for vegetables, lean protein such as diced chicken or beans, and whole grains such as brown rice, whole-grain pasta, and barley.
- Sneak grated or pureed vegetables into meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, turkey meatballs, and
- Blend pumpkin puree into macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, or lasagna.
- Choose whole-grain breakfast cereals and breads.
- Add berries or diced fruit instead of jam to peanut butter sandwiches.
Make Healthy Eating Normal
You are the most important model for your children. Eat well, and they probably will, too. It is okay to let your children know that you like some healthy foods more than others, or that you have found different ways to cook certain vegetables so that you like them.
And keep offering healthy foods to them without pressuring them. One strategy is to serve small portions of one or two “safe” foods that they love, while also serving a vegetable or other healthy food that they can try at that meal.
Use a Vitamin Patch
Let’s be honest. It can take a while for children to eat a high-variety, high-nutrient diet. So vitamin and mineral supplements may be the way to go. Vitamins can be hard for children to take. They probably cannot handle swallowing a huge capsule. They may not like the taste of chewable tablets. Gummies may taste great, but they can be choking hazards. And gummies don’t usually have the needed minerals.
PatchAid Vitamin Patches for Kids are easy to use. Just stick them onto the child’s skin and leave them on for 8 hours. These patches are both available.
PatchAid Patches for Kids let you give your children extra nutrition without any fuss. That way, you can have peace of mind that you are doing what you can for them to grow up strong and healthy.
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