As a parent, I understand firsthand that we do whatever it takes to keep our children healthy and well. Managing a child’s weight can be particularly challenging, as many families feel ashamed or hesitant to seek help from any health professionals, including a paediatric dietitian when their child is overweight. However, there is absolutely no … Continue reading Weight Management – Overweight and Obesity in Children
Blog posts
Is the Low FODMAP Diet Safe for Children?
What Is the Low FODMAP Diet? The low FODMAP diet is typically recommended for individuals who have been medically diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning extensive medical assessments are required to rule out other potential causes of gut-related symptoms. The low FODMAP diet can be quite restrictive, especially … Continue reading Is the Low FODMAP Diet Safe for Children?
Food groups – Part 5: Dairy
This is the final part of my five-part series on the core food groups. As previously discussed, a balanced diet includes foods from all five groups: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes/beans, dairy products, and meat or meat alternatives. In today’s post, I will focus on dairy. The Australian dietary guidelines, Eat for Health, refer … Continue reading Food groups – Part 5: Dairy
Food groups – Part 4: Meat and Meat Alternatives
This will be the second last part of my five-part series on the core food groups. As mentioned previously, a balanced diet includes food from all five groups: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes/beans, dairy products, and meat or meat alternatives. In today’s post, I will focus on meat and meat alternatives. Did You Know? Meat and … Continue reading Food groups – Part 4: Meat and Meat Alternatives
Food groups – Part 3: Vegetable and Legumes / Beans
This is my third post about in my series about the five core food groups. A balanced diet includes foods from five main food groups, and they are: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes / beans, dairy products, and meat or meat alternatives. In today’s post, I will be focusing specifically on vegetables. Why Are Vegetables Important? … Continue reading Food groups – Part 3: Vegetable and Legumes / Beans
Food groups – Part 2: Fruit
As mentioned in my previous post, we know that there are five main food groups essential for a balanced diet, and they are: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes / beans, dairy products, and meat or meat alternatives. For today, I will be focusing specifically on fruits. My favourite fruit – the “King of Fruits”, durian! … Continue reading Food groups – Part 2: Fruit
Food groups – Part 1: Grains and Bread
There are five main food groups essential for a healthy body: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes / beans, dairy products, and meat or meat alternatives. Today, I’ll be focusing specifically on grains and breads. Why Are Grains and Breads Important? Grains and breads are a crucial food group because they provide carbohydrates, which serve as … Continue reading Food groups – Part 1: Grains and Bread
Vegetarian Diets for Children (Lacto-ovo)
Vegetarian diets are quite common, with many families choosing this way of eating for various reasons, whether it is for cultural purposes, ethical belief, religion, environment, health or just family tradition. As a paediatric dietitian, it is important for me to ensure that children following a vegetarian diet receive all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and … Continue reading Vegetarian Diets for Children (Lacto-ovo)
Is Breakfast Important?
A simple and short answer is YES! Breakfast is an essential meal to start the day, so make sure you offer your child a nutritious and balanced breakfast before they begin their daily activities. I personally love a nice hearty breakfast outside where someone else prepares food for me whilst I sip on my hot drink … Continue reading Is Breakfast Important?
Safe foods for little ones
In today’s blog post, I’ll be discussing foods that are safe for children up to the age of five. Let’s start with infants—babies under 12 months old. Safe Eating for Infant (Under 12 Months) Infants should be given foods that are texturally appropriate for their stage of development. This typically means starting with purées, gradually introducing small … Continue reading Safe foods for little ones