Is your child getting enough good nutrition?

In today’s world of fast food, parents are rightly concerned that their children are getting adequate nutrition. One problem is that children can be picky eaters. Having access to sugary junk food doesn’t fix that problem either. Some children will only eat certain foods. A big problem in food control is that the child will refuse food at the table and then ask for an unhealthy snack later, or perhaps steal a cookie from an unsuspecting grandparent or aunt.

To cover the bases, it’s a good idea to supplement with children’s vitamins. Even if the diet is adequate, due to modern farming methods where food is grown in depleted soil, it’s a good idea to supplement to make up the difference. It is no longer the day of small farms, where plant residues and manure were added to the soil to enrich it. Today, the fields are stripped of vitamins and minerals.

There are companies that create and package vitamins in a way that will appeal to children. This can involve fun shapes and colors. You can also include vitamin-enriched kids’ shakes. While many are using gummy bear-type vitamins, it’s important to realize that this may be a bad idea. The gummy part is not good for teeth. They stick to the teeth. Also, kids can treat gummy vitamins like candy and take too many. That’s not good. Too much of a good thing can be bad when it comes to vitamins. If a child takes too many vitamins, contact your health care professional or even your local poison control center.

Sometimes a pediatrician prescribes vitamins for a child. If so, buy the best available. There are quality differences. Vitamins remain under debate among doctors. Some feel they are necessary. Some feel they are not needed if people eat properly. The fact is, who really follows the Food Pyramid? As an adult, do you eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables every day? Your son? Supplementation is a good idea, but you can contact your pediatrician first.

One thing is certain. Vitamins are not intended as a replacement for a good meal. They’re also not supposed to be a quick fix for an ongoing junk food diet. Teach your child about nutrition. Do things to make nutritious foods taste good. Make eating well fun. You can ask a child to help you prepare food in some way. You can find an alternative for foods that a child does not like. For example, if a child doesn’t like milk, see if he eats raw almonds, which contain calcium. Let your child help you pick out some fruits and vegetables when you go shopping. Prepare vegetable pizzas for lunch or dinner. By using some of these tips, you’ll find that you can help your child eat a better diet and get the nutrition she needs.