MS, RDN, LDN
Jennifer Swallow has 14 years of experience with the plant-based diet. She has studied nutrition and with a dietetics license from the state of Florida, she works as a clinical and wellness dietitian. Jennifer graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Bowling Green State University with a Masters in Nutrition. In 2009, she became a Certified Personal Trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). For years, she has helped people reach their weight loss goals.
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Constipation in children is seldom an alarming concern. Parents use different foods to relieve constipation in kids most of the time. It typically results from irregular passing of stool, which causes pain due to its dry and hard texture when it does pass (1). Statistically, constipation is the reason behind one out of every 20 pediatric visits, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2). So changing to a balanced diet with fiber-rich foods along with high magnesium content can help cure the condition. Besides, intake of plenty of water or coconut water has also been shown to help with constipation. This post will tell you about the different foods you can give your children to cope with constipation. [mj-toc] 26 Foods To Help Relieve Constipation In Children According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “fiber keeps things moving in the digestive tract.” A diet with adequate fiber helps in smooth bowel function and avoidance of constipation...
Sabudana for babies can be an excellent solid food choice due to its carbohydrate-dense nutritional profile. Sabudana is also known as tapioca pearls, and these are tiny starchy balls prepared from the starch of the cassava root. You may recognize them from the popular tea drink called bubble tea. Tapioca pearls are used in various foods and beverages due to their neutral flavor and tendency to gel. Many parents consider including it in their infant\'s diets once they are ready to eat solid foods. This post discusses the benefits of sabudana for babies, precautions to consider when feeding, and some tasty sabudana recipes to try. [mj-toc] When Can Babies Consume Sabudana? Cassava is a common weaning food for babies (1) (2). Therefore, babies can consume sabudana from the age of six months, when they are ready to consume other solid foods. You can begin by feeding with two to three teaspoons of sabudana water (not whole sabudana) in a day....
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed caffeinated beverages worldwide. Adults enjoy it because of its taste, pleasant aroma, and tendency to improve attentiveness. However, coffee for kids is generally not advised. The caffeine component in coffee is a major health concern for children since too much of this stimulant might lead to adverse consequences. Read this post to know about children’s coffee intake, including its side effects and health benefits, to assist children and parents in making educated decisions. [mj-toc] Can Children Drink Coffee? [caption id="attachment_892970" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, for children up to five years of age (1). Older children and teens should preferably avoid or at least limit coffee intake (2) (3). The sweetened coffee drinks that children and adolescents usually like (as plain black coffee is bitter) have zero nutritional value. Besides, they are usually high in calories due to sugar and...
The benefits of iron-rich foods for toddlers are numerous as iron plays a key role in vital physiological functions. Most full-term babies have adequate iron levels from birth until four to six months (1). After that, their iron stores start to deplete as they grow, and weaning helps them meet their iron needs. Food sources contain two types of iron – heme and non-heme iron. Plant-based sources such as legumes, vegetables, and iron-fortified cereals provide non-heme iron, and animal sources such as meat, seafood, and pantry add heme iron to a toddler’s diet. The iron requirements of most babies are met by eating a well-balanced diet. However, consult a pediatrician if you are concerned about iron deficiency in your toddler. Read on to know more about the iron requirements for toddlers, functions of iron, iron-rich foods for toddlers, and a few iron-rich recipes to try. [mj-toc] How Much Iron Do Toddlers Need? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),...
If you are looking for foods to include in your little one’s weaning diet, one of the most popular vegetables that most parents consider is potatoes for babies. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables (also included in the same family are eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and chilies) and are consumed worldwide for their high nutritional value (1). White potato is believed to have higher levels of the essential mineral potassium compared to bananas or sweet potatoes. Want to know some interesting recipes and age-appropriate age ways to include potatoes in your baby’s diet? Then read on. [mj-toc] When To Give Potatoes To Babies? Infants can eat cooked potatoes from the age of six to seven months (2) (3). You can begin feeding steamed or boiled potatoes as a puree or mash to let your baby develop taste and digestibility. As the baby grows older, you can mix mashed or pureed potatoes with other pureed veggies and fruits. Babies older...
Once your baby is on a solid diet, you may consider adding several food items to their meals. Nutmeg for babies may be considered to improve the meals\' flavors, but is it safe? Nutmeg is also called Jaiphal and is an aromatic spice obtained by powdering the dried seeds from the fruits of Myristica trees. The spice is known for its sweet taste and rich aroma. Additionally, it is considered to have some potential health-promoting properties. Read this post to know the safety of nutmeg for infants, the right age to include nutmeg in your baby\'s diet, its possible uses, and precautions to take while feeding it to babies. [mj-toc]Is Nutmeg (Jaiphal) Safe For Babies? According to the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), nutmeg is generally recognized as safe to use as a food ingredient (1). However, there are no specific recommendations about its safety for infants. Therefore, consult a pediatrician before adding nutmeg to your baby’s diet. When...
Although unfamiliar to many, making nutritious recipes with breast milk is possible. Breastmilk is packed with proteins, vitamins, fats, antibodies, minerals, probiotics, and everything a baby needs for optimal growth and development (1) (2). It is recommended to consider continuing breastfeeding even after initiating complementary feeding due to its benefits (3). It is safe to add breastmilk into baby purees and other recipes. However, avoid boiling breastmilk since heat may destroy many nutrients. Read on to learn some nutritious recipes with breast milk that you can add to your weaning baby’s diet. [mj-toc]10 Nutritious Breast Milk Recipes You can try these interesting breast milk recipes to feed babies and toddlers. 1. Breast milk and avocado puree [caption id="attachment_685859" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] You will need: ¼ cup avocado mash ½ cup breast milk How to prepare: Put avocado mash and breast milk into a blender and blend into a smooth puree. Ensure the puree is lump-free and has a smooth...
Dalia for babies can be an excellent choice for preparing healthy snacks and breakfast preparations. Dalia is another name for broken wheat or cracked wheat, which is a whole-wheat breakfast cereal often used to prepare wheat porridge. The cereal is suitable for infants on solids due to its smooth texture and easy digestibility. Dalia also contains fiber and various nutrients that could benefit the baby\'s long-term health (1). Read on to learn about when to feed dalia to babies and how to make nutritious dalia dishes for babies and toddlers. [mj-toc]When Can Babies Eat Dalia? Babies can consume dalia from the age of six months, the age when they can consume wheat and wheat-containing products (2). The USDA with WIC recommends starting solids if appropriate and approved by a doctor. The introduction of complementary foods should be done alongside breastfeeding if possible until 12 months. You can make sweet or savory dalia preparations with ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts,...