I have stated in many posts that little ones should not have whole nuts before the age of four since these are a choking hazard. Nuts in the form of smooth nut butter are acceptable. Photo of a variety of whole nuts which should not be given to children under four. When is it safe to introduce nut butter to your baby, and how to do so? Can only nut butter be used? How much and how often? These questions and more will be answered here! Peanuts and tree nuts are common food all

During infancy, babies get all the protein they require from breast milk or formula. Meat and seafood provide an additional protein source for infants six months and older. As stated in previous posts, it is best to start with vegetables, to get a baby used to non-sweet food, and then progress from there. Sources of meat and seafood - chicken, beef, and salmon - all of which are great protein, iron, and zinc sources. Meats are a great iron and zinc source at a time when babi

Babies can have yogurt as early as 6 months. Yogurt is a great food to add to their baby food repertoire. Yogurt has numerous health benefits for your baby, including protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and B vitamins. Yogurt with live, active cultures contains probiotics which are bacteria that are good for the gut and promote a healthy gut microbiota. Bowl of plain yogurt - a healthy choice What Type of Yogurt Should be Given? For the first two years, babies should be

Now that your baby has tried a variety of cereals, what is the next step? Happy baby eating baby food. I encourage parents to start with vegetables for several reasons: Vegetables have fiber and are less likely to cause firm stools. Vegetables add great variety to the diet. Offering these will help to influence your child’s palate in favor of these. Vegetables are some of the least likely allergenic foods. Jars of a variety of pureed baby foods and the raw foods they are ma

Now that your baby has achieved the half-year mark, it is time to introduce new foods. First foods often include baby cereals to introduce spoon-feeding. There are many choices! This article will give you some guidance on cereals options. Picture of infant sitting in high chair being spoon-fed cereal. Baby cereals come from grains that are ground to make a paste or puree when mixed with liquid. Breast milk or formula is ideal for mixing cereal since these are familiar tastes

The next 2 months will be a series of articles on infant feeding and nutrition. These articles appeared two years ago but are being republished with revisions. Depiction of the brain as half drawing and half foods that are good for the brain, such as seafood, berries, nuts, and vegetables. Did you know that the brain primarily develops during the first two to three years of life? What you feed your infant is vital for their brain development. Nutrition affects the structure o

Woman standing with crutches with her leg splinted. ''Healing Foods - Nutrition for Injury and Surgery Recovery'' If you or your child has had an accident with injury, broken bones, or surgery, you realize that recovery can be long and difficult. What you may not realize is that nutrition plays a role in the recovery process. Many factors come into play in the complicated wound healing process. This process is energy-intensive and requires numerous nutrients, all which are av

Paper cutout model of the uterus and ovaries with small cysts on right ovary and the letters PCOS, depicting polycystic ovarian syndrome. Like numerous other “adult” diseases now seen in children due to the obesity epidemic, PCOS is being seen more frequently in adolescents. To clarify, PCOS is not always associated with obesity, nor does it always cause ovarian cysts. It is considered a metabolic disorder that affects hormone levels and ovarian function, leading to menstrual

Overweight adolescent measuring waist circumference. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that the incidence of obesity in children ages 2-19 is at an all-time high. This is a global trend. I have written about this topic before, but it deserves repeating. The purpose of this blog is to educate, to combat this trend, and to prevent future diseases through nutrition, starting at an early age. The Facts: The current rate of obesity in children is 20%

Many of you have likely seen the new inverted food pyramid published recently by the Department of Health and Human Services. If you haven’t seen it, it looks like this: Copy of the new, inverted food pyramid per the USDA, compared to an old pyramid below. Note the inversion where grains were the base with the most servings but now are minimized. I will highlight the positives and negatives, particularly in relation to children. First, the positives. The emphasis is on whole

The word sugar written in a pile of sugar As parents we all want the best for our children. One of the most powerful things you can do is reduce sugar in your child's diet to protect their heart and overall health. Sugar is a pervasive ingredient in any food that contains carbohydrates. Some sugars occur naturally in food, such as in fruit, grains, and dairy. Some carbohydrates convert to sugar - pasta, bread, and rice. Some foods contain added sugars - processed foods - c

"Most parents assume cholesterol is only an adult problem — but children's cholesterol levels can be just as concerning. In fact, unhealthy cholesterol can begin building up in a child's arteries as early as age two." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that lipid screening be done twice during childhood - once between 9-11 and again between 17-21. Lipids are the fats in the blood. This is checked by a blood test. Cartoon depiction of lipids, such as cholest

"As parents we want our children to grow up strong and healthy. Following heart health guidelines for kids from an early age is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your child from heart disease and cardiovascular problems later in life." Guidelines for heart health and cardiovascular risk reduction have been set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). This article will highlight and summarize these reco

Heart-healthy foods including fresh vegetables and fruit on a wooden heart surrounded by a stethoscope. Since February is Heart Health Month I am devoting all the articles this month to heart disease prevention measures starting in childhood. Most of the articles are previous articles with updated revisions. According to a recent survey in US News and World Report, use of the "Food as Medicine" approach was one of the top health trends for 2026. My goal has been to use "Food

Food additives the US compared to the EU European Union (EU) and USA flags Understanding food additives the US compared to the EU empowers you to make better and more informed food choices for yourself and your family. Reading labels, choosing whole foods, and staying informed are the best tools you have to protect your health. How does the European Union (EU) only allow about 400 chemical food additives, while the United States has upwards of 10,000? Many of the same food

Food additives kids should avoid The last three decades have seen a surge in the chemicals added to our food. Plastics, preservatives, dyes, and sweeteners account for the majority. These are known as food additives. Most have not been studied, yet are approved. This article covers food additives harmful to children and best to avoid: dyes, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, and endocrine disruptors. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wrote a policy statement on food

As parents we all want our children to grow up healthy and active. Building strong bones in kids starts with the right nutrition and healthy habits from an early age before the critical growth years are over. On a recent holiday road trip, my husband and I listened to Dr. Radio and an interview with a pediatric bone expert. I researched further and decided the topic would make a good blog article. Picture of a human skeleton waving. I have written a couple of times about vi

A healthy gut benefits the entire body. It improves brain health, the immune system, digestion, mood, energy, and helps prevent disease. Developing a healthy gut means developing a healthy gut microbiome. This is achieved through diet and lifestyle changes and can be done naturally. A plastic model of the internal organs of the human body, showing the gut and intestines. Dietary changes involve increasing specific foods while eliminating or decreasing others. I will focus on

What are supplements? Supplements can be anything given by mouth that is not in the form of food, including vitamins, herbal supplements, body-building supplements, etc. Some supplements contain items that occur naturally in food but in higher concentrations than you would get from a typical diet. Most supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so the dosing and purity are not necessarily accurate. These typically are not tested in children, and

Since the holiday school break will soon end and schedules are busy, now is the time to ensure your child gets a healthy start to their morning. This post will give you many breakfast ideas, for home, on the go, and post-morning sports so your student is ready for the day. An array of breakfast options pictured with eggs, fruit, cereal, and yogurt. Brain boosting breakfast ideas. A balanced breakfast incorporates protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It can also