Do you have questions about your children’s diet and nutrition?

[CeriMumsnet]

THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED. YOU CAN VIEW DR ZOE'S ANSWERS HERE

We all want our children to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet but with so much information out there it can be hard to know how best to support your child’s nutrition. This coupled with fussy eating and a busy lifestyle can make it feel impossible! That’s why Bupa has invited Dr Zoe Williams to answer your questions about children’s nutrition.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw.
• One Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher.
• Dr Zoe’s answers will be shared as videos on this thread in mid-December

About the expert:
DR Zoe Williams MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP graduated from medical school in 2007. She has gained experience in many specialist fields within medicine and currently practices as an NHS General Practitioner in London and outside of the surgery is a National Advisor of Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and has served as a clinical advisor to the RCGP. Zoe is one of the resident Doctors on ITV’s This Morning, and has featured as an expert on the BBC’s The One Show, Horizon and Trust Me I’m a Doctor.

Here’s what Bupa has to say:
"Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We do this by providing a broad range of healthcare services, support and advice to people throughout their lives. In the UK Bupa are leading healthcare specialists. People are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we make health happen."

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ
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How would you make meals more flavoursome for toddlers without adding salt ? My purees taste so bland - I know I would not eat them - but I don't want to use too much salt or pepper - I am thinking about herbs - but not sure if i should be doing this

I made a dreaded mistake of taking my DS to Mac (you know who's) for a happy meal - and it's all he talks about wanting - I want to keep them as a treat - and a rare one at that - any tips on how to get him off this obsession and wanting 'normal' food again. I have tried home made burgers and air fried wedges but only after lots of encouragement will it be eaten

I scrub my vegetables and chop without peeling, and air fry or boil - as I was led to believe the skin has the most vitamins in - is this good practice ? Would you peel ?

How much should an active 14yo teen lad eat? Into sports/gym and has cereal and sometimes a small protein shake with milk for brekkie, packed lunch is wrap with cheese and ham, crisps, fruit piece, cereal bar. Dinner is normal home food -spag bol (Brown pasta), curry n brown rice, Shep pie, jackets tuna etc. Eats a good range of all foods but starving when home from school. His Dad (ex) won't let him take more lunch, I think at least an extra wrap would be better but dad says it's too much food. Eats nuts and extra cereal fro snacks but is bored of that and would rather feel more full at lunch.

What is the best way to get iron into a child's diet - (one who hates 'greens')

My ten year old boy has never been very interested in food or eating. He eats a limited range of foods, is reluctant to try new food and goes off food he previously liked regularly. He’s unusually small for his age.

Do you have any advice?

I have a 10 year old who does vast amounts of sport in a week. It's absolutely the thing that makes them happiest in the world but they are often very tired. At this age should I be pushing protein etc? Or sticking with as balanced a diet as I can get into a fussy 10 year old!

They have also been asked to start weight training due to an elite sport pathway. Again, should I be encouraging a high protein diet or just stick with normal food?

DD used to get diarrhoea a lot. She tested negative for coeliac and all other blood tests were normal. We removed gluten from her diet and the diarrhoea stopped 😃

But, she often feels nauseous. Like a LOT. Usually it is in the morning but gets better through the day. It is not anxiety she has an epic life and gets it through holidays too. She is also always very pale, if she was someone else’s kid I’d say she was ill. Energy and weight are good.

Do you think she has another food intolerance I haven’t identified yet?!

Is there an alternative to GCSEs for a 14 year old and how do you go about applying for this if you decide to homeschool your child?

I tend to eat from our allotment when we can - so there is a lot of cabbage, sprouts and green beans around at the moment - and sprouts to come. They are difficult to 'hide' in other foods like I can carrots and peppers - any advice ok cooking (Stir fries are working - with sauces and chicken) but cannot encourage them enough - other than very small portions - I know this is sooo good for them !

I’m worried my 6 year old doesn’t get enough protein as he’s not a big fan of meat but also quite funny with unusual textures - so things like tofu are a no-go. What are some good alternatives I could offer?

Are vitamins during winter worth it - do they actually help boost the immune system - or are boosting with antioxidants better for our immunity

How much fluid should a child age 7 drink each day, I often feel he does not drink enough and is often consipated - diet is good on the whole with a good quantity of vegetables, but he only drinks a glass of milk and juice - very little at school.

My DC are vegetarian, they eat well but should I still supplement with vitamins and minerals to make sure everything is covered?

My almost 2yo is completely veg averse - for now I do hidden veg sauce and keep offering veg/salad with every meal in the hopes he'll start eating it. Am I doing enough? or is there a point at which I should start withholding dessert (fruit/yog mainly, occasional custard/biscuit) until he's eaten some.

My DS is autistic and has never eaten wet or moist food apart from when he was a baby, why isn't his body lacking in vitamins? He has regular blood test and seen several dietician who all have said he's not lacking anything from his diet. He's just started a multi vitamin but because his siblings are on them but medical he apparently doesn't need them

would you recommend peeling vegetables or scrubbing them - I have heard that's where most of the nutrients are ?

How many portions of fish would you recommend - trying home made fish cakes. Can children have oily fish - and if so how much per week ?

At what age can you give a child brown or wholegrain bread ? Is their digestive system able to adjust to this.

What are your thoughts on tinned and canned baby food in terms of nutrition and additives. I thought they were way too bland and when they went onto our food (we eat healthily and I cook from scratch) I found it was hard to get them to adjust

Do you think buying organic fruit and vegetables is worth it - and is there much difference between the non-organic in terms of nutrition and vitamins

What are your best nutrition tips for a mum with a very small food budget - what should I make sure I prioritise each week when shopping ?

Can I give my child a soft boiled egg and soldiers, when I get them from my neighbour ? (fresh as can be - or would you just stick to egg mayo sandwiches)

Can you recommend any recipe books for fussy eaters -that way they can cook and prepare and chop with me, and see if it can make a difference - DS will eat raw carrot, but not cooked, and will eat peppers raw -with a garlic dip - but I want to get them to try more - and think cooking together MAY help

What's the best oil to use in an airfryer - I've heard positive and negatives about olive oil and vegetable oil