This page contains answers to many frequently asked questions. If you have a query please feel free to contact us, as the answer to your question is sure to help others too.
46 frequently asked questions found
My 4yr old boy refuses to try new foods. I worry that he isn’t eating all the nutrients that he needs to grow with. What can I do?
Keep a diary for a week and you will soon see where he is getting his kilojoules from. Try mixing new foods in with those that are already familiar. For instance, if he will eat a cheese toasted sandwich try adding crushed pineapple to it. If he eats mashed potato try adding parsley or cheese or carrot to this. If he will eat ice cream try buying frozen yoghurt instead. If he won’t eat vegetables cooked try them raw in a salad, as coleslaw or as part of a small homemade burger. Try brown toast before brown bread. Work out which class of foods (i.e. food group) that he won’t eat. Is it meat- dairy- bread and cereals-fruit and vegetables? Also look at some of his snacks. If he will eat chips but not potato it may be time to run out of chips. If you keep a food record you will have more to talk over with us or your local dietitian.
How can I get my child to eat more vegetables?
Look first at how much you serve them. The 5+ NZ Vegetable Federation (Vegefed®) promotion encourages us all to eat 3 servings of vegetables and 2 fruits each day the size of the recipient’s hand, i.e. the size of your child’s hand not yours. Children can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of food offered. Also try to interest your child in vegetable growth and preparation. Can you start growing a small garden or garden pot? Radishes and herbs grow very quickly. Get them to help count fruit and vegetables into bags at the supermarket or as they get older get them to help make a simple salad. Over the holidays you could also try making men and animals using vegetables and toothpicks for sticking on the arms and legs. Its loads of fun and you never know some bits might get eaten along the way.
How long should I keep giving my two children (aged 13mths and 3yrs) whole milk and how much do they need?
Generally children from 0-2years should be having breast milk or whole milk. Between the ages of 2-5yrs use Junior® or Mega Milks®. Then from 5yrs on Trim® or Calci-trim milk® is fine for everyone in the family.
If your child is dairy intolerant then they need to be breast feed if possible for at least 1 year then weaned onto an hypoallergenic formula such as Neocate® or Karicare® as directed by your Paediatrician or Dietitian. Calcium enriched soy and rice milks can also be used in some cases after 3years.
Which type of bread should I be giving my 2yr and 5yr old children?
Begin with white and then progress onto a light wholemeal by 2years. Once a child is five years they should be able to manage mixed grain bread such as used by other family members.
My 2 year old son is dairy intolerant when can I start trying to reintroduce dairy safely?
If your child has lactose intolerance (evidenced by diarrhea and bloating) then this is likely to persist into adulthood requiring your child to use lactose free milks e.g. soy in place of whole milk.
However if it is the protein part of the milk which is the problem resulting in symptoms such as skin irritations or excess mucus production then most children have grown out of these symptoms by the age of 5 years.
My 4 year old son suffers from constipation and I think it is because he doesn’t drink enough. What can we do?
Most 4 year old children need around 70-80mls of fluid per kilogram of body weight. So you need to encourage him to increase his fluids. Fluids can also be included into foods such as soups, sauces, jelly and stewed fruit with natural juice. Constipation can also be due to a lack of dietary fibre. So make an effort to increase his intake by offering wholegrain bread and cereals and, where appropriate, unpeeled fruits and vegetables.