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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that vitamins will give my toddler energy?

28 replies

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:33

My daughter is nearly 3. She's such a fussy eater. She doesn't eat red meat at all, doesn't eat potatoes, rice, spaghetti, pasta, rarely eats bread. She does eat all her fruit and veg, fish and chicken though with no problems. But lately she's been complaining of being tired, I'm assuming it's because she's not getting enough nutrients. Would multi vitimins help? She sleeps 7-7 and still has an 1 and half nap in the afternoon, she always has so i dont think it's because she's actually tied.

Thanks

OP posts:

RestingGrinchFace · 13/12/2017 15:38

I would imagine that it's because she isn't getting enough calories. Does she eat any carbohydrates at all?

catkind · 13/12/2017 15:43

Feeling tired could be vit D deficiency, particularly at this time of year where we're not getting any from sunlight. Which isn't really connected to diet but it's often recommended we all take a supplement in UK climate.

She doesn't eat much starchy there which would be slow release energy and vitamins won't help, that's literally energy not trace nutrients.

How's her iron intake? Do you eat spinach and stuff?

But could just be general dark evenings & Christmas excitement (is she at preschool or anything to be end of term tiredness?)

I'd probably try vitamins, ptic vit D, but if she keeps being tired maybe speak to your GP?

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:43

She eats bread some mornings. For dinner she will eat chips, hash browns or them breaded crumb things with potatoe in. Perhaps you're right though, not enough calories, will look into high energy foods, thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:46

Catkind

She's not at preschool yet. I've not tried her with spinach will give it ago thank you.

OP posts:

00100001 · 13/12/2017 15:47

Will she eat high carb veggies like sweet potatoes, squashes or peas?

Will she eat other form of carbohydrate, crackers, cracker bread, bread sticks, cous cous, lentils?

I'd really try and get her back on to pasta - call it something different and a shape she has never seen before etc She will struggle in life not eating pasta as akid as she will be served it a LOT

MyOtherProfile · 13/12/2017 15:50

Sounds like she is getting the vits she needs in her fruit and veg. Would she eat nuts and pulses?

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:51

She does eat peas, crackers and breadsticks so that's something.

I did see some paw patrol pasta shapes so I think I'll buy them and give it ago she's paw patrol obsessed

Thanks

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 15:52

How come her diet is so restrictive?

Was she ill when she was younger or did she have allergies at all?

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 15:53

Her diet is not very varied.

Could you ask your GP for a referral to the dietician.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 13/12/2017 15:54

Sounds like she needs more fat as well as carbs.

Chaosofcalm · 13/12/2017 15:56

NHS recommends all children between 6 months and 5 years who have less than 17oz of formula a day have vitamins.

If you are worried about her eating than contact the HV. In our area they would arrange for a nursery to support you with it.

Chaosofcalm · 13/12/2017 15:56

Does she get her 3 portions of calcium a day?

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:57

PersianCatLady

What do you mean by restrictive?

She has been ill but nothing that stopped her from eating. She's just not that interested in food. She is open to trying new foods which we do with her, but I would never make her eat food she doesn't like (as long as she tried it first) especially when she happily eats all veg, fruit, fish ect

OP posts:

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 15:58

She has 9oz of milk a day, normally a yoghurt and sometimes cereal with milk

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 16:00

Why isn't she eating proper meals as such??

All of the things she eats are more like snack foods.

specialsubject · 13/12/2017 16:00

Small kids are in the group recommended to have vitamin supplements . ask at your gp for advice.

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 16:02

PersianCatLady She does eat proper meals. Fish pieces with veg and potatoe courgettes is a meal?

OP posts:

Chaosofcalm · 13/12/2017 16:03

You are measuring milk in oz, 9 is quite a lot. Does she still have a bottle?

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 16:04

What do you mean by restrictive?
Sorry the word I should have used is restricted but what I mean is there isn't much variety in it.

My diet is very restricted, I won't eat meat (except some fish), I won't eat cheese and I don't like hot and highly flavoured food.

There are also a few other things I won't eat either.

It is hard, if you don't like something, you don't want to eat it.

I was wondering if there is a reason why she doesn't have more different things, I thought if she had been ill then it would explain her lack of variety. Maybe??

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 16:05

Yes, of an evening before bed. We've taken her dummy away so she isn't ready yet to lose that as well though we are slowly cutting it down

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 16:06

Fish pieces with veg and potatoe courgettes is a meal?
That sounds good, you didn't mention it before or I missed it. Sorry.

Could you try fish pieces with other vegetables or different types of potato?

Could you try more basic versions of what you eat?

Spaghetti with tomato sauce (not ketchup, like bolognese)

Shepherd's pie

Chicken and vegetables

RatherBeRiding · 13/12/2017 16:06

Persian - she's a FUSSY EATER . Some young children are. Some children have real problems with textures, tastes etc. She eats chicken, fish and vegetables - hardly "snacks".

However, OP, yes she is probably lacking carbs and fats. The problem is that encouraging her to eat things she doesn't want to eat could well lead to food becoming a battle which is simply counter-productive. The last thing you want is good becoming an issue.

There's a world of good advice on fussy eaters out there - try a quick Google search.

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 16:09

Could you keep a diary for a fortnight of what she eats and what you offer that she doesn't like as well as her general energy levels??

If you are still worried after Christmas, you could see either the HV, GP or community dietician and ask their opinion.

That said, I don't think that taking the correct dose of vitamins ever hurts to be sure, I take them.

Try to make the vitamins a fail safe, so that you aim for her vitamins to come from her food but she has the vitamins just in case.

PersianCatLady · 13/12/2017 16:10

She eats chicken, fish and vegetables - hardly "snacks"
When I wrote about the snack foods it cross-posted with the update about the chicken, fish and vegetables, so I didn't know that then.

Original poster

Housequeen101 · 13/12/2017 16:11

PersianCatLady The only potatoe she eats is Chips, hash browns or potatoe courgettes. She will eat most vegetables that's not a problem at all. She won't eat any of meals you suggested, hates spaghetti, mince and actual mash potatoe. But regularly eats chicken and veg.

Ratherberiding dinner time is a struggle. Textures are her main problem I think. Will have a google, thanks

OP posts:

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