Do lactogenic foods really help?

oatmeal raisin cookies, the lactogenic foods used in the study

Not having enough milk for your baby is a top concern of many breastfeeding parents. Because of this, there is a whole market for galactagogues, or lactogenic foods, that claim to help boost milk supply. Do they really work?
Until recently, most of our evidence was anecdotal, based on claims people were making with very little science to support it. At best, there were some theories on how these foods *may* work. At worst, claims were completely unsubstantiated.

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Protein for Kids

the word protein on a chalkboard with protein containing foods around it

It is not uncommon for toddlers to go through a picky eating phase where they want nothing to do with meat. During this phase, many parents wonder if their child is getting enough protein. The answer most of the time is yes. Protein needs for kids are very low, which is why it’s not often a nutrient of concern.

If you are focusing on other nutrients, like iron, you will probably be able to help your child meet their protein needs. Many iron containing foods also contain protein, which is why I don’t list protein as a nutrient in my balanced plate.

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Vegetables for Picky Eaters

picky eater staring at plate of vegetables untouched

I am often asked “what are the best vegetables for picky eaters” or “how can I get my kid to eat veggies?” I wish I could just print out a list of vegetables for parents and send them on their way, but as with most parenting things, it’s not that simple. Most of my advice is very personalized depending on the preferences of the picky eater themself.

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Choline for Kids

a variety of foods that contain choline

You may never have heard of choline in your health classes or prior to the last few years. It’s only been recently that it’s been getting a lot of buzz. It’s used in a lot of processes in the body, one of which is early brain development, making it very important for babies and kids.

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Plant Based Infant Formula

infant formula, baby bottle, rattle

With plant based eating becoming more popular, it’s no surprise that parents are looking for plant based formula. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to avoid animal products, there are several options available to you.

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Your Child Has a Food Allergy: Now What?

child scratching their head while holding nuts indicating a food allergy

If you went through the process of introducing the top 9 allergens to your child and found that they have a food allergy (or multiple allergies), you may be wondering what to do. Of course the simple answer is avoid the allergen, but real life is often way more complicated.

Like with many of the food allergy articles I write, I will be focusing on IgE-mediated allergies. Some of the principles will apply to non-IgE mediated allergies, like FPIES, but certain aspects, like reactions may vary.

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Hiding Veggies in Food

kid with magnifying glass over eye looking shocked implying that he has found the hidden veggies

Whether or not their child is eating enough veggies is one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents of picky eaters. First and foremost, there is no food that your child NEEDS to eat. It’s totally possible for them to meet their nutrition needs without eating a plateful of veggies. That being said, many parents wonder if hiding veggies in their kids food is a good way to give their kids a little nutrient boost.

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