Children's Nutrition
- Is fiber important in a child’s diet? How much fiber does a toddler, pre-teen and teen need in their diet?Fiber is important in preventing constipation, enhancing the sense of fullness of a meal and can even help with lowering blood cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association offers the following fiber recommendation for kids:
- 19 grams of fiber per day for children ages 1-3
- 25 grams per day for children ages 4-8
- 26-31 grams per day for children ages 9-13
- 29-38 grams per day for children 14 and up
These fiber needs can be met by offering whole grain foods at each meal, and plenty of fruits, veggies and nuts.
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Kat Brown, MS RD LDN RYT is a registered dietitian and yoga teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, serving pediatric and adolescent populations at Children’s Hospital Boston as well as in her private practice. She is passionate in her work with children of all age groups with Down Syndrome, special healthcare needs, food allergies, celiac disease, obesity and eating disorders. Kat weaves principles of innate body wisdom and intuitive eating into patient and student interactions. Most recently, Kat was elected to the Massachusetts Dietetic Association’s Board of Directors as Director of Career Pathways and Awards, a position which oversees student dietetics, mentorship programs and recognizes excellence in the field of dietetics in Massachusetts. In her free time, Kat loves to practice yoga and cook, especially with foods from her garden.
*Please keep in mind that the information on this site does not constitute medical advice. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult your child's doctor. - Is it true that children who eat breakfast do better in school? What is a good breakfast?It has been proven that children who eat breakfast do better in school, among other benefits. In a review article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association published in 2005, Registered Dietitian and researcher Gail Rampersaud and her colleagues noted that children who eat breakfast also have better school attendance, behavior and energy levels, and eating breakfast may be associated with less risk of becoming overweight. A healthy breakfast includes several food groups, such as whole grains, protein and fruit to start kids’ days with a nutrient-dense, satisfying meal.
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Kat Brown, MS RD LDN RYT is a registered dietitian and yoga teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, serving pediatric and adolescent populations at Children’s Hospital Boston as well as in her private practice. She is passionate in her work with children of all age groups with Down Syndrome, special healthcare needs, food allergies, celiac disease, obesity and eating disorders. Kat weaves principles of innate body wisdom and intuitive eating into patient and student interactions. Most recently, Kat was elected to the Massachusetts Dietetic Association’s Board of Directors as Director of Career Pathways and Awards, a position which oversees student dietetics, mentorship programs and recognizes excellence in the field of dietetics in Massachusetts. In her free time, Kat loves to practice yoga and cook, especially with foods from her garden.
*Please keep in mind that the information on this site does not constitute medical advice. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult your child's doctor. - Is it true that foods might trigger a food allergy with my child? Can delaying the introduction of solid foods decrease the likelihood of food allergies?For years the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics was to hold off on offering certain highly allergenic foods such as milk, eggs, nuts, fish and shellfish. While it isn’t recommended to give children cow’s milk until age 1, (it can limit iron absorption and doesn’t have proper nutrient ratios for infants) at this point, professionals are re-thinking their beliefs about introducing other foods. The most current scientific literature suggests that if a child is going to have an allergy to a food, they will develop the allergy whenever the food is introduced. And waiting to introduce certain foods may increase the risk of having more severe reactions! Currently the only food that has been studied extensively enough to recommend timing is wheat. The best time to introduce wheat in the form of infant cereal is between 4-6 months to possibly decrease the risk of having sensitivities to wheat later in life. Other foods, as long as the texture is right, can be introduced as you feel comfortable.
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Kat Brown, MS RD LDN RYT is a registered dietitian and yoga teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, serving pediatric and adolescent populations at Children’s Hospital Boston as well as in her private practice. She is passionate in her work with children of all age groups with Down Syndrome, special healthcare needs, food allergies, celiac disease, obesity and eating disorders. Kat weaves principles of innate body wisdom and intuitive eating into patient and student interactions. Most recently, Kat was elected to the Massachusetts Dietetic Association’s Board of Directors as Director of Career Pathways and Awards, a position which oversees student dietetics, mentorship programs and recognizes excellence in the field of dietetics in Massachusetts. In her free time, Kat loves to practice yoga and cook, especially with foods from her garden.
*Please keep in mind that the information on this site does not constitute medical advice. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult your child's doctor. - How do I know if my child has a food allergy?Allergic responses can differ- they can be immediate or latent, mild or severe in nature. The best way to know if your child has a reaction to a particular food is by only offering 1 new food each 4-7 days. Symptoms can vary- they may manifest as a rash or irritability or stool changes or be as extreme as breathing difficulties (which are quite rare, but serious and require immediate medical attention). If you have a personal or family history of food allergies and want more specific answers, ask your child’s pediatrician or get a referral to an allergist._________________________
Kat Brown, MS RD LDN RYT is a registered dietitian and yoga teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, serving pediatric and adolescent populations at Children’s Hospital Boston as well as in her private practice. She is passionate in her work with children of all age groups with Down Syndrome, special healthcare needs, food allergies, celiac disease, obesity and eating disorders. Kat weaves principles of innate body wisdom and intuitive eating into patient and student interactions. Most recently, Kat was elected to the Massachusetts Dietetic Association’s Board of Directors as Director of Career Pathways and Awards, a position which oversees student dietetics, mentorship programs and recognizes excellence in the field of dietetics in Massachusetts. In her free time, Kat loves to practice yoga and cook, especially with foods from her garden.
*Please keep in mind that the information on this site does not constitute medical advice. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult your child's doctor.