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By Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe, B.A., B.Ed.<\/p>\n
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If you have a child who has limited his or her food choices to pasta with white sauce you may be dealing with a picky eater. When a toddler or young child refuses to eat certain foods or entire food groups we call this \u2018picky eating\u2019. It is not unusual for a young child to turn up their nose at foods especially when they are experiencing a food for the first time.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s growing bodies require adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Extreme picky eating can lead to both long- and short-term deficiencies and other health concerns like mood disorders and hyperactivity. Deficiencies in magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and B6 have been shown to have the biggest impact on mood, behaviour, and intelligence. Thankfully, most young children can be persuaded to try foods when we get creative.<\/p>\n
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Your toddler\u2019s taste buds have not yet been damaged by hot or spicy foods, making some tastes or flavours too intense. Other kids simply don\u2019t like the texture of certain foods. Unfamiliar textures and flavours are not something they want to explore. Toddlers especially can be easily distracted at mealtime and may not want to sit long enough to eat all of the food on their plate. Sometimes your toddler is not hungry. A toddler\u2019s appetite can vary day-to-day just as it can for adults. Be patient. Know that some days your toddler simply won\u2019t want to eat what you\u2019ve prepared.<\/p>\n
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It is important to start providing a variety of different foods early. If all you feed your infant is strained carrots, they might not develop a palate for other flavours and textures. Somewhere in the varied assortment of foods you provide there will be something your child will enjoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/toddlers-rainbow-fruits-vegetables.jpg” alt=”young children lying down amidst a rainbow of colourful fruits and vegetables” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Offer the following foods and opt for organic whenever you can:<\/p>\n
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Get creative. Kids who won\u2019t eat a vegetable plain, love to dip them in humous, guacamole or yogurt.<\/p>\n
Try a variety of preparation methods to get your toddler interested in the food. Slice up fresh fruits into fun shapes. Cook vegetables in different ways, like roasting, steaming, boiling and mashing to overcome your toddler\u2019s issues with texture. Stuck for recipe ideas? Check out our delicious protein recipes<\/a> or\u00a0Caitlyn\u2019s blog for some fun recipes for kids<\/a>.<\/p>\n Or, blend it! Smoothies are a great way to combine fresh fruit and veggies into an easy-to-eat form. And yes, you can \u2018hide\u2019 stuff like fatty acid rich oils, kale, spinach, and even cooked broccoli in a smoothie.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Include your kids from a very young age in preparing foods. It may take longer to get food on the table but children are more apt to try a food they have been involved in making.\u00a0 Even the pickiest eater is often proud of their food creations. Give them simple tasks like adding all the foods in the blender for a smoothie. Young children love to mash, mix and stir. \u00a0They also like to eat with their hands. Finger foods can be eaten quickly, provide a tactile experience and may even keep a busy toddler in the chair longer at mealtime.<\/p>\n Children learn by example so if you don\u2019t eat vegetables your child most likely won\u2019t want to either.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/girl-mixing-bowl.jpg” alt=”young girl mixing ingredients in a red bowl” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If picky eating is an ongoing issue, a good quality multivitamin with minerals or an all-in-one kid\u2019s formulated protein powder can put your mind to rest. A children\u2019s multivitamin is essential for smart, healthy children. They are nutritional insurance when you know your child is just not eating enough of the nutrient-rich foods they should. Multivitamins and minerals can be found in chewable tablets, or enriched protein powders that may also contain essential fatty acids.<\/p>\n Make sure you select a high-quality<\/a> children\u2019s supplement without added\u00a0<\/span>sugars<\/a>, harmful\u00a0<\/span>fillers<\/a>\u00a0and additives,\u00a0<\/span>artificial colours<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>artificial flavours<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/KidStar-StarMulti-Chewable-Space-Berry-60_090820_RGB.png” alt=”KidStar StarMulti chewable multivitamin and minerals” title_text=”KidStar-StarMulti-Chewable-Space-Berry-60_090820_RGB” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” max_height=”400px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ background_color=”#AADB1E” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#e63888″ background_color=”#aadb1e” custom_margin=”20px||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”3px|20px|3px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n An example of a clean multivitamin is our KidStar\u00ae StarMulti\u00ae<\/a>. Our chewable multivitamin StarMulti\u00ae<\/span>\u00a0uses the highest quality essential nutrients.\u00a0<\/span>StarMulti\u00ae<\/span>\u00a0is coloured with\u00a0spirulina<\/a>,\u00a0flavoured\u00a0with natural berries, sweetened with\u00a0xylitol<\/a> (which has been shown to remineralize dental cavities), and is free from unnecessary fillers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/product\/starmulti-chewable-multivitamin\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Buy Now” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The daily maintenance dose of iron for children is 10mg per day. Iron deficiency is a common health concern in children made worse by selective or picky eating. Pull down your child\u2019s lower eyelid and if the area is white or pale pink they should have their iron checked at the doctor or pediatrician to find out if your child is iron deficient or anemic.<\/p>\n If your child is iron deficient and refuses to eat good sources of iron, check out BioFe Iron available in many different supplement options from drops that can be added to food, yummy iron chewable tiny tablets, delicious no sugar liquids that do not cause constipation and are absorbable and easy on your child\u2019s tummy (read more about how children become iron deficient<\/a>). Our BioFe\u00ae Pure Iron<\/a> also helps prevents tooth enamel from turning grey as occurs in other liquid iron supplements.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BioFe-Iron-Line_052424.png” alt=”BioFe Iron product line” title_text=”BioFe-Iron-Line_052424″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#AADB1E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals are all essential for a child\u2019s growing brain and body. Too little of any of these nutrients can lead to a whole host of health and behaviour problems, including:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\nKids Love to Cook<\/h2>\n
Managing Nutritional Deficiencies<\/h2>\n
KidStar\u00ae StarMulti\u00ae<\/h3>\n
Iron Deficiency Needs Special Attention<\/h2>\n
Common Symptoms of Deficiency<\/h2>\n