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See what users would like to know about getting the nutrients they need from the food they eat

100 replies

EllieMumsnet · 21/05/2019 14:20

This thread is now closed for questions

As parents we always want our family to have the best and most nutritious food to help fuel our bodies. With so much information out there on nutrition it can be difficult to get through to the best advice for a balanced diet for you and your children. Dr Catherine Birch, who is working with Noluma on the issue of light-protection, is here to help and will be answering any questions you have around your family’s nutrition, vitamins, balanced diets and more!

Here’s a bit more information about Dr. Birch: "Here’s a bit more information about Dr. Birch: “An expert in food and nutrition, Dr. Catherine works at Newcastle University researching factors that impact food such as climate change, shopping behaviours and new technologies. She recently co-authored a report on the nutritional value of milk and the impact light can have on its essential nutrients. She is passionate about ensuring we all eat healthy food, food waste is minimised and your food stays fresher for longer.”

Do you know your Vitamin A from your Vitamin B2 and D? Do you know why it matters to you and your kids? Do you know which foods help fuel kids growth? Maybe you’d like more information on the best before date, what packaging keeps food fresher longer, and/or how to prevent your food from spoiling so quickly.

Whatever questions you have on these or other subjects, ask them on the thread below and we’ll choose 10-12 for Dr. Catherine to answer. Everyone who posts a question will be entered into a prize draw where 3 MNers will each win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw.
MNHQ

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See what users would like to know about getting the nutrients they need from the food they eat
OP posts:
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BristolMum96 · 21/05/2019 17:05

What's the best alternative to eating meat? My toddler isn't vegetarian by force, but she utterly refuses all meat and fish. What foods are best as a replacement or what content should I be looking for to replace?

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sharond101 · 21/05/2019 17:40

My Daughter is 4 and has a dairy allergy. How can I make sure she gets enough calcium and vitamin D?

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NeverTwerkNaked · 21/05/2019 19:17

Similar to the previous poster, my children are severely allergic to dairy and egg. What are the best foods to replace the nutrients they might be missing out on?

Also, one of my children has a lot of phobias around food. He will only eat a very limited number of vegetables- sweetcorn, peas, carrots and parsnip. I worry about the lack of variety.

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sarat1 · 21/05/2019 19:18

All of my friends give their 18 month olds snacks like wotsits etc but I am paranoid about salt and sugar and additives. When can I start relaxing about the sorts of food my toddler eats?

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flowerycurtain · 21/05/2019 19:19

Have you got any good suggestions for oily fish recipes please

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user1496959500 · 21/05/2019 20:17

There are treats everywhere - cakes, ice creams, biscuits etc - and I feel like I’m always saying no. What’s the recommended weekly allowance for such sugary things for a toddler?

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Theimpossiblegirl · 21/05/2019 20:34

How many portions of fruit and veg should my children (and us) be eating? How big is a portion and do they really all have to be different?

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newmummalion · 21/05/2019 21:42

My 18 month old is really not very interested in food at all. How much should a child his age realistically be eating? He is still breastfed so I take comfort in the fact he's goodness from that at least!

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OnePotMeal · 21/05/2019 22:00

We're a family of tea drinkers, but we all drink different sorts:

  • my husband drinks builders' tea with milk and sugar;
  • my eldest, who's an adult now, drinks green tea;
  • my teenager drinks earl grey;
  • my preteen drinks fruit teas;
  • and I drink turmeric teabags or weak earl grey with no milk.


I've read that some teas are really good for you because the antioxidants act to block carcinogens, but I've also read that teas can block the absorption of other nutrients - the one I think I'm thinking of is ordinary tea interfering with iron absorption.

Complicating matters, I don't eat dairy products and I'm prone to iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies, the green tea drinker is vegetarian, and the fruit tea drinker is just a fussy eater!

What can you tell us about how different types of tea interact with nutrients, and is there a better sort of tea to be drinking or a better time to be drinking it to maximise good health?
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fishnships · 21/05/2019 22:10

Is it okay to give children a fizzy vitamin tablet daily or should I be making more effort to ensure they eat healthily (not always possible!)?

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calpoppincalpol · 21/05/2019 23:17

We are all good. No nutrition problems at all Smile

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BlackeyedGruesome · 22/05/2019 00:59

Iodine for vegetarian non milk drinking, ( eats small amounts of cooked cheese, just started cooked milk) allergic to eggs and nuts DD?

And how long have I got to find a palatable solution before they start to suffer health wise?

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Tanaqui · 22/05/2019 05:32

For vitamin D, is milk from outdoor cows a better source and how can you make sure the cows are actually outside?

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starpatch · 22/05/2019 06:46

My seven year old usually manages only two portions of protein a week Quorn and pork sausages. But he also drinks average half a pint of cow's milk a day. Is this adequate?

Also any suggestions for reducing food waste with very fussy eater?

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DaisyDando · 22/05/2019 06:52

Food is becoming more expensive, and our childcare costs have been increasing slowly, so we are making more of an effort to buy thriftily. This includes buying wonky fruit and veg and freezing what we don’t use straight away. Are we better off buying frozen fruit and veg in the first place? It’s often cheaper and quite handy.

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jacqui5366 · 22/05/2019 07:51

What is the best way to keep vitamins in food when cooking and freezing, - is there a way of cooking to keep more vitamins in ? Thank you

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Holibobsing · 22/05/2019 08:34

My 12 year old, dispite taking the sun well and having a balanced diet ,had a vitamin D deficiency. I think it could be an absorption problem. What is the most effective way of keeping her topped up in vitamins ?

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ButterflyOfFreedom · 22/05/2019 12:55

As a family we're trying to cut down on red meat though I know this is a good source of iron. What other iron rich foods are there which will ensure we get enough?
Thank you.

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Danascully2 · 22/05/2019 13:40

I struggle to combine everyone's different needs - I have a wheat intolerance, kids aren't bad eaters but usual wariness of unfamiliar things, and husband prefers shop bought food to home made, also won't eat fish. He is quite happy to feed himself but it would be a pretty poor diet so my main challenge is finding things that work for everyone and that I can cook with two small children around. I would like to know though whether just vitamin D supplements are enough for my 1 year old or whether a multivitamin would be better?

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HoumiLoomi · 22/05/2019 13:47

My DS is 2.5 and never seems full at meal times. Some days he eats as much as I do. He just polished off a whole cheese and tomato toastie for lunch for example. Is this okay? He is a healthy weight and very active.

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Freshstart40 · 22/05/2019 14:17

Hello... after persistent headaches my 5 year old (after blood tests) has recently been diagnosed as having low iron. Aside from Shredies and baked beans please can you advise some iron rich suitable foods for a fussy eater?

Thank you

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lemonjam · 22/05/2019 17:55

What are your thoughts on soya milk, yogurt etc? I’m vegan, kids aren’t but are starting to prefer my stuff!

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MrsFrTedCrilly · 22/05/2019 18:58

Do children really need multivitamins? Or can re really get everything we need from our diet?

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TheClitterati · 22/05/2019 19:18

Would you feed your children small amounts of processed meats? Ie ham sandwich or cooked breakfast with bacon? Sausages on bbq?

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Pushpull · 22/05/2019 19:28

What do you think about juicing for fussy eaters - good because they get vitamins or bad because theres no fibre?

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