Family Health
Family Health
Fussy Eating is a normal stage of development in children which can start at 18 months old however can cause large levels of stress and unrest at mealtimes. The risk of fussy eating or food avoidance for extended periods in children may inhibit growth and development and can slow or accelerate growth and weight milestones.
A large challenge that parents experience is knowing where or how to start reintroducing foods and persisting with encouragement when the child continues to refuse.
Using the SOS approach to feeding, there is a 32 step process to develop children’s tolerance of a food; starting with tolerating the food in the room and transitioning to food on the plate, touching, smelling, licking and all the way to chewing and swallowing the food. If you believe you child is a fussy eating, the sooner you seek help, the sooner you children will progress to having a healthier, happier relationship with food.
Vegetarianism
A vegetarian diet involves abstaining from eating meat, fish and poultry. People often choose a vegetarian diet for religious or personal reasons, as well as ethical issues, such as animal rights. Others decide to become vegetarian for environmentalreasons, as livestock production is believed to contributes to climate change. There are several forms of vegetarianism, each of which differs in their restrictions.
The most common types include:
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet: Eliminates meat, fish and poultry but allows eggs and dairy products.
Lacto-vegetarian diet: Eliminates meat, fish, poultry and eggs but allows dairy products.
Ovo-vegetarian diet: Eliminates meat, fish, poultry and dairy products but allows eggs.
Pescetarian diet: Eliminates meat and poultry but allows fish and sometimes eggs and dairy products.
Vegan diet: Eliminates meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products, as well as other animal-derived products, such as honey.
Flexitarian diet: A mostly vegetarian diet that incorporates occasional meat, fish or poultry.
Cutting out meat and animal-based products can increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies however a well-planned vegetarian diet can be healthy and nutritious. As Dietitians we can help you chose a well-balanced diet and advise if needed on suitable supplements that can help prevent deficiencies.
