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We asked. And, you told us...
What is your top concern toward your child's nutrition?



Based on a poll of 134 Abbott parents | Start Date: 24th May 2011 | End Date: 28th June 2011

It is vegetables!! Not surprised, right?

  • In a recent Abbott poll of Singapore parents conducted in April and May 2011, 43% of the parents responded that the biggest worry that they have is that their child is not eating enough vegetables. Lagging way behind, actually almost beyond the half way mark, are concerns around eating enough fruit (14%) and eating too many snacks (12%). At the 8% mark, is too much sugar.

Mums and Dads, at Abbott we hear your concerns.

Teaching kids to eat right – selecting the right foods from each of the four food groups; eating the right amount from each of the food groups, eating at the appropriate time, self feeding, appropriate etiquette at the family table – takes time and a lot of patient perseverance. But, it is important.

  • It is food that your child eats that delivers nutrients his body needs. Keep a close watch on your child's food intake. There is a reason for that. While kids grow constantly, there are 'windows of opportunity' through the growth phase when their bodies are really 'prepped' by natural hormones and their genetic roadmap to achieve certain milestones. For e.g. in young children, the brain grows most rapidly in weight and structural complexity especially in the last trimester in the womb and then, at a slower but steady rate until the age of three years. Young children's height growth rate slows a bit in the 'tween phase' before picking up pace in adolescence. If a child's nutrient intake does not support this natural 'primed-period' then, he / she may not pass the phase all set for the natural potential for optimal physical growth.

So, here are some practical tips to get your child eat better each day.

Learn about kid's nutrition
The more you know, the more likely you are to get it right. Get the information from local authorities or reputable health authorities.

Start right, right from the beginning
Offer the right foods, all in the right proportion, at the right time. Encourage self feeding and avoid force feeding. A parent's role is to provide a variety of foods, prepared in a healthy manner; while kids decide how much to eat. Do not bribe or reward kids with food – this really sets them up to have unhealthy attitudes to food and eating.

Offer a variety
Kids exposed to a variety of foods and textures at the right time in their lives, tend to fuss less. Help your child enjoy food and eating healthfully.

Prepare kid friendly meals and snacks
Kids have smaller appetites, smaller tummies and so, eat less at each main meal. So, frequent small meals and healthy snacks help kids achieve nutrient goals. Kids also have delicate palates and taste foods differently. Fiery and pungent food items or spices put kids off. Learning to eat independently takes time and skills. So, serving small kid-friendly portions helps the little one experience success with eating.

Be a good role model
Kids learn best by observation and mimicking. Eating healthy foods, demonstrating healthy eating habits and social etiquette in front of your kids will help them learn these skills naturally.

Supplement wisely, if needed
For some kids, learning to eat, eating independently and eating a well-balanced diet takes time. Keep on doing the right thing. However, if there are food group gaps or shortfalls in food portions, then, supplements may be helpful to meet nutrient needs. Supplements come in different forms – some are just vitamins and minerals; while others are complete and balanced i.e. they provide energy, macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals well as prebiotics and probiotics.



If you’re trying Pediasure® for the first time, click here for a free sample.



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