Blog - Feeding Made Easy

My Toddler Won’t Eat Meat!

Last Updated On: September 13, 2023

toddler won't eat bowl of food in front of her

Believe it or not this is one of the most common complaints I hear from parents. It’s super common for toddlers to suddenly reject eating meat, even if they ate meat totally fine as a baby. There can be many reasons that your toddler won’t eat meat, but most of the time, it’s not something that you need to stress too much about.
If your family is vegetarian or vegan, there is no reason that you NEED to serve your child meat (or any food). This is more for families who usually eat meat, but are finding that their child has been rejecting it.

Dairy Free Watermelon Sorbet

Last Updated On: August 30, 2023

Is there any fruit that better encapsulates summer than a watermelon? They are so juicy and refreshing, making them the perfect snack for kids (especially if your kid isn’t a big fan of drinking water).

Watermelons are actually a type of berry called a pepo (1). You can actually eat the rind of the watermelon, if you cook it. Watermelons were originally grown for their high water content and were stored as a water source.

Vitamin A for Kids

Last Updated On: August 22, 2023

foods that contain vitamin A with a chalkboard in the middle that says vitamin A

Vitamin A is actually the name for a group nutrients called carotenoids as well as preformed vitamin A. When we think of vitamin A, we generally think of the beta carotene in carrots and how it will help our vision. Vitamin A is so much more than that though!

When Your Toddler Prefers Milk Over Solids

Last Updated On: August 11, 2023

Toddler preferences are a part of parenting. One common concern parents face is that their toddler prefers milk over solid foods. Whether it’s breastmilk, cow’s milk, or a milk alternative, a toddler needs more than just milk to meet all of their nutritional needs. While breastmilk and/or formula make up the bulk of your child’s nutrition prior to age one, after age one, milk should become more of a supplement.

Phosphorus for Kids

Last Updated On: July 26, 2023

the word phosphorus in blocks plus foods containing phosphorus around it

Phosphorus is a crucial nutrient for bone health, which is why we worry about it for kids. It’s also used in our genes and for energy. Luckily, most people in the US get enough phosphorus in their diet without trying too hard.

Eating the Rainbow

Last Updated On: July 24, 2023

fruits and vegetables in all the colors of the rainbow

I don’t often recommend talking about nutrition with kids. It tends to put pressure on them to eat certain foods. That being said, there are certain kids that are going to be naturally curious about what they are eating and may ask about what different foods do in their bodies. They may have been told in school that “eating the rainbow” helps them to get all the nutrients that they need, but they may not understand exactly what that means.

ALL foods provide something to our bodies. Even if that something is just energy. It’s important to keep in mind that food is more than just nutrients and energy, it’s also part of our culture, family, and heritage. Many times foods provide comfort. These things are just as important as the nutrition that the food provides.

While this article will be focusing specifically on different colored foods and what they bring to the table nutritionally, one way to help keep foods off of a pedestal is to talk about the nutrients in all foods. Chocolate, for example, contains magnesium. Many candies may just provide energy and that’s ok! Kids need a lot of energy. Try not to focus on just foods that have traditionally been labeled as “healthy” or “good.”

Sensory Play for Picky Eating

Last Updated On: July 14, 2023

picky eater pushing away food and looking disgusted

You were probably told many times to not play with your food as a child, so you may find it very surprising that I am recommending food play to help with picky eating. Sensory play in particular can be incredibly helpful for picky eating. Many picky eaters are hypo-or hyper-sensitive to different sensory experiences, so exploring them during play can help get them more comfortable.

Checking Food Labels for Allergens

Last Updated On: July 13, 2023

contains statement from a food label for multiple food allergens

One of the first tips you’ll hear when your child is diagnosed with a food allergy is to get in the habit of always checking food labels for allergens. Companies in the US are required to list their ingredients and so you can get a good idea of what is in a product and whether or not your child’s allergen is present just by checking the food label.
That being said, not every ingredient is required to be on labels. Companies can change their ingredients without notifying consumers. It can be a lot more work than it sounds.

Magnesium for Kids

Last Updated On: July 10, 2023

magnesium containing foods around a chalkboard with Mg

Magnesium is a nutrient that is important for bone health, making it an important nutrient for kids. While true deficiency is rare, many people in the US are not consuming adequate amounts of magnesium. It has become a more popular supplement in recent years, possibly helping with blood pressure, diabetes, and migraines. Most kids will not need a magnesium supplement, but can meet their needs through a diet with lots of variety.