PediaSure Complete for Picky Eaters

Kitana was chubby with fat cheeks and I loved it! I couldn’t wait until she turned 6 months so I could start feeding her solids. I was one of those moms that read books, blogs and prepared for the big day by buying all the necessary gadgets available for feeding. I was determined to make my own food for her so I downloaded a ton of recipes and waited anxiously for the big day…

Then it arrived. And it was everything I didn’t want it to be. We started her off with something recommend by her Paediatrician but she didn’t take to it. Hours later her eye swelled up and we realized she had an allergy. My heart sunk…

During our trip to Sri Lanka; Kitana picked up a virus. It was an overwhelming experience for me and her plus she refused to eat. When we arrived back home, the Paediatrician ran blood tests and told us that Kitana has a milk allergy.

Months later after trying almost everything, I realised that Kitana was a picky eater too. She would blatantly refuse to eat certain foods.

Feeding my child became a challenge, she had 2 allergies and was a picky eater! What do I do?

Picky eaters often display an unwillingness to try new foods, or any food that contains even a small amount of a food they do not like. Source: Urban Dictionary.

Kitana started losing weight and I started to stress. I doubted myself as a mom. It became a frustrating journey.

Signs of Picky Eaters:

• Refuse to eat
• Play with food
• Eat less than usual
• Dislike vegetables, fruit, meat or milk
• Demand the same food at every meal
• Make a mess at the table
• Throw tantrums at mealtimes

Source: www.abbottnutrition.co.za

Did you know?

• According to some polls, as many as 75% of parents say that their child is, or has been, a picky eater. Adding those that say their child is “sometimes” picky raises that number to almost 85%.
• Up to 67% of parents say that vegetables are essentially “off limits” to their little one.
• A third of parents say that their picky eater could survive on the same three to five foods every single day.
• Half of all picky eaters won’t eat mixed dishes; they prefer individual foods that don’t touch each other.
• The typical age span for picky eating is from fifteen months to six years, but it remains common up to about age 10, and can persist for some children up through adolescence.

Source: www.elizabethpantley.com

The first thing my Paediatrician said is: “Picky eating is normal in kids”.

I’ve learnt that children can get distracted easily when eating and sometimes become stubborn like my daughter. Kitana is still a fussy eater but she is improving slowly. Thank God, she outgrew her allergies so she isn’t limited to what she can eat anymore. However I want to make sure that she is getting the nutrients that she needs. Her Paediatrician and Nurse suggested we try PediaSure Complete about a year and half ago.

At first she hated it (I tried the vanilla flavour) but now she drinks it without complaining. She prefers the chocolate flavour, I really don’t mind which flavour she has, because I know she’s getting the vitamins she needs. For most children, picky eating is a phase and with help from PediaSure Complete, you don’t need to stress any more.

This is a phase you need to be patient. You have to keep trying different tricks to make meal time fun. Hopefully they will outgrow it but for many it does stay into adulthood. Don’t stop trying something because they rejected it once.

What is PediaSure Complete?

It is a complete and balanced nutritional supplement (scientifically-proven), ideal for the picky or fussy eater. PediaSure ensures that children who are fussy eaters receive the nutritional support they need to grow and develop normally, while giving moms complete peace of mind that their child’s nutritional requirements have been attended to.

Benefits of PediaSure Complete:

• Contains 28 vitamins and minerals
• Provides essential Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
• Favourable oil blend: easily absorbed and well-tolerated even in those with impaired fat digestion.
• Iron: supports rapid growth and promotes catch-up growth
• Growth support:
  • Contains all the vital macronutrients in correct proportions.
  • Contains protein.
  • Provides adequate carbohydrates and calories for energy and healthy weight gain.

It is important that as a mom you do your research properly and confide in your child’s Paediatrician to see on how you can solve the problem.

For more information, visit PediaSure/Picky eating website – www.pickyeating.co.za and get chatting on their Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/PediaSureSA.

This post is sponsored by PediaSure® Complete. The comments on this page do not constitute medical advice. Your healthcare professional is best placed to evaluate your child’s growth and development. Should you have any concerns or questions, please seek advice from your healthcare professional? For product-related questions, contact the Abbott Nutrition Support Line on 0861 22 68 87.