Nutrition Archives - Nemours Blog

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Nutrition

Nutrition in Sickle Cell Disease

Keeping your child healthy and strong. Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have lower levels of certain vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients. That’s because their bodies turn over red blood cells so fast that nutrients are broken down faster than normal. When the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, it leads to malnourishment, anemia (low iron), frequent infections, poor growth and development, and other complications. At the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, our team incorporates nutrition into the overall treatment plan for kids with SCD. We know that good nutrition helps to support growth, restore energy, improve immunity and strengthen muscles and bones. Good nutrition can also reduce pain crisis and the side effects of certain treatments. This can help decrease the number of hospital visits and improve overall health as your child grows. Essential Vitamins and Minerals for SCD A child with SCD takes […]

Gluten: Ending Common Misconceptions

The gluten free diet has become a popular diet trend over recent years. The most common conditions that require a gluten free diet include celiac disease, wheat allergy, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia, and dermatitis herpetiformis. Some individuals may choose to adhere to a gluten free diet for other reasons. Gluten is the protein found in the grains wheat, rye, and barley. A gluten free diet requires avoidance of these grains. When foods are removed from the diet, it can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, so if gluten is removed from the diet it is important to do so with the guidance of  a Registered Dietitian. The purpose of this article is to clear up some common misconceptions surrounding gluten and the gluten free diet. Do I need to avoid all gluten if I have a wheat allergy? -No. Only the grain, wheat, needs […]

Learn to Love Your Vegetables

Help your child explore new flavors and learn to love their vegetables with these few simple tips! Increase Exposure• Increase exposure to different vegetables at meals and snacks multiple times a day• It can take 10-15 times trying a food before learning if you like it, so don’t get discouraged and stay persistent• Start with very small portions of new vegetables at first• Be a role model for your kids and eat your vegetables at meals and talk about how good they taste Get your kids involved• Ask your kids what vegetables they want to try or give them a choice between two vegetables• Have your kids pick the sauces, spices, or herbs for the dish• Have your kids describe the flavors and textures of the vegetables they try Experiment with cooking techniques• Try roasting vegetables to bring out their natural sweetness and make them crisp• Sauté or stir-fry vegetables […]

Let's Rethink How We Talk to Teens about Their Weight

Let’s Rethink How We Talk to Teens about Their Weight

Perhaps we need to rethink how we talk to our teenagers who have a weight issue. At the Nemours Eating Disorders Evaluation and Management Program, we see teenagers who pinpoint the onset of their eating disorder to comments made by well-intentioned doctors, coaches, or health teachers.

Eating the Rainbow

Eating the Rainbow

We know eating fruits and veggies can provide tons of health benefits and are an important part of a balanced diet. But why is it so important to “eat the rainbow?” Fruits and veggies are dense in phytochemicals and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – that our bodies need to function properly and grow, but not all fruits and veggies are equal. Depending on the color, different nutrients may be more abundant in some fruits and veggies than in others. Let’s explore how eating the rainbow can provide our bodies with different nutrients and what they can do for us!   Red Orange/Yellow Green Blue/Purple White/Brown Examples Raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell peppers, cranberries, and watermelon Oranges, orange bell peppers, carrots, mango, yellow bell peppers, yellow squash, lemons Leafy vegetables, broccoli, kale, kiwi, avocado, green grapes, cucumbers, peas, zucchini Blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, plums, purple cabbage, purple grapes Bananas, cauliflower, ginger, […]

Staying Healthy While Staying Home: Nutrition & Activity

Staying Healthy While Staying Home: Nutrition & Activity

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes and challenges. Adjusting to new routines and schedules can make it difficult to maintain healthy habits. Remote learning and working from home can impact structure around meals and other activities. While technology has made many things possible in this transition, it has led to increased screen time for many children and families. It’s time to think outside the box and find new and creative ways to unwind and spend time together at home. These strategies are great to keep in mind during colder months at home as well! Nutrition Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and protein help to boost your immune system and help your body fight against illness. Minimizing processed foods, high sugar, and fat can also help keep your immune system strong. Higher amounts of sugar and saturated fats (found in high-fat meats and dairy, […]

Holidays and the Pandemic: 5 Ways to Avoid a Recipe for Weight Gain

Holidays and the Pandemic: 5 Ways to Avoid a Recipe for Weight Gain

Kids tend to gain more weight during extended breaks from school, like over the summer. We’ve seen a similar trend when COVID-19 restrictions were in place. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed kids gained weight more quickly during the early months of the pandemic as compared to the previous year. There are many reasons why, but it seems without the structure of school many kids eat more and move less. The COVID-19 pandemic really messed up our daily routines. School closures, remote work, and stay-at-home orders meant going to bed later, eating at different times, snacking more, being less active, and spending more time in front of screens. This fall, things started to get back to normal as children returned to school and other activities. But just as we have gotten back into our routines, here come the holidays. Holiday weight gain is […]

Mindful Snacking

Mindful Snacking

When selecting a snack, it is important to think about a few key factors including timing, hunger level, portion size and nutritional value. Timing As a rule of thumb, it is helpful not to go more than about 4 hours without eating, even if it is something small. Long periods of time without eating can increase hunger later in the day, making it challenging to practice portion control when you finally get a chance to eat. It is also very challenging to make healthy choices when you are feeling extremely hungry. Snacks help to bridge the gap between meals and can help lessen hunger to an appropriate level prior to the next meal. Be cautious of grazing! Grazing is a term used to describe constant snacking. It is important to allow time (approximately 2-4 hours) between meals and snacks to give the digestive system a break. Most children should aim […]

Smoothie 101: Nutritious & Delicious!

Smoothie 101: Nutritious & Delicious!

Smoothies can be an easy and fun way to incorporate various foods into your child’s diet. Understanding the potential benefits of smoothies, how to prepare them, and when and how to incorporate them can make an enjoyable and healthy option for the whole family!      Benefits of Smoothies There are several reasons you may choose to incorporate smoothies into their child’s daily or weekly routine. A few nutritional benefits to smoothies can include: Increased variety of fruits and vegetables: Sometimes children will accept a wider variety of fruits and vegetables in a blended form more than they will in the whole food form. It is still important to continue to expose your child to the whole food form on a consistent basis even if they are consuming the fruit/vegetable in the smoothie. Boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants: Smoothies often combine several fruits and vegetables in one recipe giving a […]

A Healthy Spin on Comfort Food

A Healthy Spin on Comfort Food

As the fall and winter seasons are upon us, so are the celebrations and comfort food that follows. How can we add to our favorite comfort foods for a fun and balanced holiday season? Check out these helpful tips on how to get the most out of your favorite dishes. Include proteins into your favorite dishes. Try adding a protein source like pulled chicken or ground turkey to macaroni and cheese for added satisfaction and strong muscles. In substitution of sour cream, try Greek yogurt for added protein and calcium. Hidden veggies can keep our favorite foods enjoyable AND provide the micronutrients our bodies need to be strong. Try these recipes for your next holiday meal: Mix pureed cauliflower into mashed potatoes for a light and creamy side dish. Add shredded zucchini to a meatloaf mixture for a moist, flavorful slice. Incorporate whole grains into your favorite treats. Here are […]

Keeping Summer Meals on Schedule

Keeping Summer Meals on Schedule

Summertime – sometimes synonymous with camp, vacations, sleeping in, relaxing outside in the sun, spending time with friends and family, and having a break from school. During these months, sticking to a meal schedule can be difficult when a child’s day-to-day schedule may be changing. It may be a challenge to keep kids on a schedule and ensure they are fueling their bodies for all the summer activities they are interested in. Here are some tips and tricks that will keep your summer meals on schedule! Plan Ahead Every week or every other week sit down with the members of your household and brainstorm some meals for the coming weeks. This will get kids involved in meal choices and encourage trying new foods. Plus, organizing ahead of time will take some of the stress away from the person responsible for planning, shopping, and preparing food. Meal planning options: Keep cut […]

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