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Charmaine Dominguez is a plant-based online dietitian nutritionist with seven years of experience. She has her own online nutrition practice. Charmaine is currently living in LA, California in the US, and pursuing Masters of Public Health at California State University, Long Beach. She has completed her Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics at California State University, Long Beach. Charmaine is passionate about helping others regain control over their health and turn their lives around. She helps people lose weight, reverse and prevent diabetes, and manage gestational diabetes with a plant-based approach.
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A child’s linear growth depends on their genetic makeup. Hence, they can only attain a certain height no matter how much they try. However, it is often said that some foods can help increase a child’s height. So are there any foods to increase height in kids? Well, there are no foods that can increase your child’s height beyond their genetic potential. However, adding certain foods to your child's well-balanced diet can help them reach their full potential height with ease. Besides, these foods can offer nutrients to promote a child’s overall development. So, read on as we give you an insight into foods that can help children grow taller and reasons for children to not grow in height. [mj-toc] Can A Child’s Height Be Increased? A child’s height mostly depends on the height of their parents and other close relatives. Children grow at their own pace, and the rate of their height growth can significantly increase during puberty. After...
If your baby has been transitioning from breastmilk to solid foods, a 7-month-baby food chart can be a helpful guide. During the first six months of life, babies drink breast milk or formula milk to get their complete nutrition. However, after six months, their needs can increase, and it is time to introduce solid foods. Keeping the transformation slow and introducing foods one by one is essential. Try offering easily digestible, cooked, and mashed food first, then move toward blends. Keep the quantity small and be cautious about choking hazards. This post provides detailed information on what to feed your 7-month baby and what quantities. It also provides a food chart with some interesting recipes. [mj-toc] How Much Food Should A 7-Month-Baby Eat? AAP recommends mothers to continue breastfeeding their baby for at least up to 12 months. Offering nutrient-dense foods like pureed meats, iron-fortified cereals, and cooked vegetables can help support your 7-month-old baby's growth and development. To ensure...
The benefits of fruits and vegetables for kids are numerous as they provide vital nutrients to support their growth and development. Additionally, sufficient intake reduces the risk of major chronic diseases, such as [simple_tooltip text="type-2 diabetes" tooltip="A condition where the body cannot use insulin properly." ] and hypertension. However, feeding children adequate amounts of fruits and veggies is a challenge since children tend to be picky eaters. But first, we must be aware of how much fruits and veggies children need daily. Keep reading to understand how you can encourage children to eat fruits and veggies, their possible health benefits, and some interesting facts about these food groups that your child will love to know. [mj-toc] Why Are Fruits And Vegetables Important For Kids? [caption id="attachment_881572" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] Fruits and vegetables help provide several nutrients necessary for the rapid growth and development of children. Foods from these two groups help in: Enhancing the immune system and thus fighting-off...
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a common kitchen ingredient known worldwide for its peculiar aroma and pungent taste. Besides adding flavor to food, it possesses certain medicinal properties that benefit health. Several mothers consume garlic when breastfeeding to reap its [simple_tooltip text="lactogenic" tooltip="A property of inducing or triggering the production of breast milk" ] effects. But is garlic safe for lactating mothers? Does its ingestion help increase breast milk supply or affect breast milk composition and milk quality? We answer all your queries and tell you more about the possible health benefits of garlic for nursing mothers, its side effects, and ways to include garlic in your breastfeeding diet. [mj-toc] Is Garlic Safe For Lactating Mothers? [caption id="attachment_885306" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized garlic as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) during lactation (1). Therefore, you can use garlic in your diet regularly in moderate amounts. However, stay cautious if your baby is known...
Generally, eggs during breastfeeding make for a well-balanced maternal diet. Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and essential lipids to help you meet your nutritional needs during nursing. But since they also fall under allergenic foods, you may feel apprehensive about eating eggs while you are breastfeeding. However, you need to follow some precautions to ensure the safe ingestion of eggs during lactation. Read on as we tell you more about the safe intake of eggs during lactation, their possible health benefits, and their side effects. [mj-toc] Can Breastfeeding Moms Eat Eggs? [caption id="attachment_888379" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Nursing moms can eat well-cooked eggs. It is to be hard-boiled. Under cooked or raw eggs have a risk of salmonella contamination that can cause food poisoning. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) recommends using pasteurized eggs as much as possible (1). However, you may also buy eggs stored in a refrigerator, provided they are clean and the...
Losing extra weight after delivery is important for a nursing mother’s health. Hence, several mothers try losing their pregnancy weight with a healthy diet, exercise, and sometimes, herbal supplements, such as Garcinia. However, you might want to know if it is safe to take Garcinia cambogia during breastfeeding. The use of herbal supplements for weight loss has been prevalent for ages. However, clinical studies supporting their safety and efficacy for pregnant women are sparse. Thus, using herbal remedies or supplements may pose health risks for the mother and her nursing baby. Read on as we give you an insight into the safety of Garcinia cambogia for lactating women and the reasons you should avoid its use when nursing. [mj-toc] What is Garcinia Cambogia? Garcinia cambogia is a plant that belongs to the family of Clusiaceae. The fruit rind of the garcinia plant is mainly used to make medicine or supplements. Various researches that have been carried out on the plant...
Once your baby reaches six months of age, you need to reduce the share of breast milk and gradually introduce solids in their diet. A fruit puree for babies is a great way to start this transition. Breast milk is a great source of nutrition, and hence the substitute foods should be highly nutritious to fulfill the baby's needs for healthy, all-round growth. In addition, the baby will not be able to consume foods that are difficult to gulp or digest. Fruit purees are easy to prepare. They are tasty and packed with essential vitamins and other nutrients. Read on the post for some simple fruit puree recipes that your baby will love eating. We have also added some tips on making purees and introducing them to your little ones. [mj-toc] 5 Tips To Make Fruit Puree For Babies Knowing a few ways to puree the fruits will make your task easier: Steam the fruits as it preserves the nutrients...
Echinacea is the name of a species of flowering plant belonging to the daisy group and is known to have medicinal value (1). If you plan to use Echinacea while breastfeeding, read the post for more information. The leaves and roots of the Echinacea plants are used for medicinal purposes. It is a common herbal ingredient in cold, flu, skin infections, and inflammation medicines. Read on for more information on Echinacea, its uses, benefits, safety during breastfeeding, and side effects. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Have Echinacea While Breastfeeding? There is little scientific data about the safety and efficacy of echinacea during lactation. Yet, its use under expert guidance in recommended doses is not considered harmful while nursing (2). There is limited evidence to suggest that compounds found in echinacea pass into breast milk. Echinacea is available as herbal and traditional medicine products like herbal tea, juice, extracts, capsules, and tablets, and dietary supplements. If you want to use any...
If you are looking for some easy-to-make zucchini recipes for toddlers that are simple yet delectable, you have clicked on the right post. Zucchini or courgette is a nutritious vegetable that’s botanically a fruit. You can add this fiber-rich food to your toddler’s diet along with other healthy snacks for a complete nutritious meal. Your munchkin can relish them across meals as sumptuous dishes. But before you try any recipe, let’s take a quick look at some of the possible health benefits that zucchini can provide when consumed as a part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. [mj-toc] Health Benefits Of Zucchini For Toddlers Zucchini is considered helpful in prevention of some chronic conditions (1). This property of zucchini is attributed to its nutritional composition. The regular consumption of zucchini can provide the following health benefits to your toddler. Immunity: Zucchini has bioactive compounds such as lutein and beta-carotene. These components are believed to have potential antioxidant properties that help boost...
Probiotics are living microorganisms similar to healthy bacteria normally present in the human gut. These microorganisms have several health benefits and therefore have become a popular dietary supplement in recent times. However, the health benefits of probiotics for breastfeeding mothers and their babies are yet to be explored and established. So, can breastfeeding mothers add probiotics to their regular diet? We have compiled information about the safety, facts, health benefits, side effects, and natural sources of probiotics for breastfeeding mothers. Read on to know more. [mj-toc] Are Probiotics Safe When Breastfeeding? Probiotics are safe to take when breastfeeding. When used orally or as a vaginal suppository, they are generally well-tolerated and are considered safe (1). Research suggests that their persistent use could enhance the [simple_tooltip text="immunoprotective" tooltip="The ability of a substance to boost the immune system and protect against diseases and infections" ] potential of breast milk (2). However, you need to talk to a doctor or lactation expert before...
Indulging in all foods you crave may be problematic when lactating as most of what you consume may reach your baby through breastmilk. The caffeine present in that hot cup of tea or coffee is the reason why these beverages are so sought after. However, caffeine and breastfeeding do not go well, and you may need to cut down your daily intake of caffeine while breastfeeding. Caffeine is consumed daily in many households, but its safety in lactating mothers is still debated. It is categorized under Lactation Risk Category L2 (safer) as per the Medications and Mother’s Milk guidelines. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics classifies it as a ‘Maternal Medication Usually Compatible with Breastfeeding.’ Read this post as we help you understand the association between caffeine and breastfeeding and how much of it you can safely consume. [mj-toc]Does Caffeine Affect Breast Milk? Yes, caffeine gets into breast milk! Once you drink a cup of coffee, the caffeine is rapidly...
[mj-toc] Holiday season and forever hungry kids! Pretty common, right? If it is the holiday season, children expect you to make cookies, cupcakes, and what not! As annoying as it may be, they are hungry for yummy treats and snacks all day. And, you end up spending more time than you’d like in the kitchen. Well, you don’t have to. Children love one thing more than eating cookies or cakes. And that is baking with you! Children, young and small, love to cook and want to be a part of something that their parents do. This post has gathered some of the easiest baking recipes for children that you can try during the holidays. Note: Do not let children aged below ten years handle the oven or the stove on their own. If the use of cooking or electrical appliances is involved, adult supervision is recommended. Chocolate Baking Recipes For Children Chocolate is like “manna” for children (and adults too)....