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

[EllieMumsnet]

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

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[BringItIn]

How can I make sure my son gets enough iron and calcium? He's vegan by choice and ears a varied diet but I worry it's not enough.

[kidsmakesomuchwashing]

I've read that factor 50 children's suncream is contributing to vit d deficiency. It seems to be a lose lose situation. I give my 3yo son multivitamins in addition to his meals. He also still has a cup of age 3+ cow and gate formula milk. Do you think this is enough for ensuring his vitamin and mineral intake?

[Summergarden]

Is it worth spending extra money on organic produce? I often wonder whether there are enough extra nutrients in organic versions to justify the extra cost.

Perhaps for particular fruits and vegetables it is worth it but not so much for others?

[bertdynamite]

My 15 year old daughter has just become vegetarian. What things should she absolutely be eating to ensure she gets a balanced diet?

[PrincessTiggerlily]

I love homemade soup. It usually includes celery, leek, onion, carrot, potato, lentils. It is therefore full of veg but I wonder, if it is simmered for half an hour, sometimes longer for the lentils, how much actual goodness is in it after cooking?

[JanuarySun]

Is the fuss about vitamin D over done? My family and I are fair, don't dress 'modestly' and spend plenty of time outdoors, do we need vitamin D supplements?

[cannotmakemymindup]

How much fish is okay for a 5 year old to have portion wise? Should I be worrying about mercury content in White Fish or just Tuna?

[pushchairprincess]

For vegetables - peel on or peeled ? I have heard some of the nutrition is in the peel, but given potential contaminants what would you suggest ? I scrub jacket potatoes but peel carrots and take the top layer off leeks

[GetTickledGETTICKLEDbyspiders]

I feel overwhelmed with all the advice from different places and all the fads with diets. I would love a basic break down of what we really should and shouldn’t eat and even some basic go-to recipes.

[Smilingsophie85]

What food sources of vitamin d are there?

[Number3or4]

My boys like diffrent foods and fuits, is this due to:

1. Personal preference
   
2. Their body signalling which foods, they need or contains certain vitamins it needs

[dadshere]

We are trying to switch the whole family to a vegan lifestyle- but our dd seems very tired and not interested in the food. What can I serve to perk her up?

[OrdinarySnowflake]

How much milk/calcium should a 5 year old be having?

[AgeingDurannie]

What are good non dairy sources of calcium and vit D?

[Sofasurfingsally]

I have been advised by my doctor to work on lowering my cholesterol, which is 6.3. She suggests a very low fat diet. But isn't some good fat a better idea? I know that doctors aren't always up to date in terms of dietary advice, and aren't taught it much.

[ZiggyZagZog]

Is a vegan diet actually healthy and if so what could they to ensure enough calcium?

[lotusbell]

My 12 year old has decided to be pescatarian. He has never been a big meat eater but equally, never ate much fish. He is being quite sensible and mature about it and willing to try new things but I am concerned he won't get all the nutrients he needs. He doesn't have the biggest appetite as it is but he does want to be a bit healthier. How much protein etc should he be getting at his age and how can I incorporate a wide variety?

[Dizzywizz]

We don’t really eat much red meat, but we eat white meat and fish, also lots of veggies and fruit. Will my children (and me!) be low on iron? Should we take a supplement?

[AutumnCrow]

Have you ever used the phrase 'Paleolithic diet'?

[impossible]

My 19 year old daughter has found she is intolerant to dairy. Without it her life is much more comfortable.

Can she easily get sufficient calcium from non-dairy foods (she is a student with a less than ideal kitchen) and/or should she take supplements? If so how much should she take and in what form and are there other vitamins she should be taking (vit D perhaps)?

Many thanks

[foxessocks]

How many bananas is too many in a day?!

[Hopezibah]

Which vitamins are crucial to supplement? eg is it true that Vitamin D is hard to get enough of from food? Can you explain the different types of omega oils and which we need to supplement and which are readily accessible through food?

[ThenOutCameTheSunshine]

1. NHS recommends that we have two portions of fish a week and one of those must be oily. If we aren't keen on oily fish what can we substitute this with to gain a similar level of required nutrients?
   
   
2. As another PP says, does soup hold it's nutritional content after being simmered until soft? When I make it I add enough water to just cover the vegetables so I won't have to pour any away when it's time to blend but I'm still curious?
   
   Thanks!

[Chocolate50]

My daughter is vegetarian by choice & also doesn't like cows milk. She (get this) doesn't like vegetables but does eat a lot of fruit, pasta, quard. What would you think is the best way of making sure she gets the nutrients that she needs?

[purplepandas]

Any ideas for a fussy veg avoiding 7 year old? Fruit is fine but pretty much all veg is hated.