Tag Archive for: nutritional counseling

What is Failure to Thrive and What Can Be Done About It? | Pediatric Therapy Tv

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In today’s Webisode, a Registered Dietitian discusses Failure to Thrive and how you can help.

In this video you will learn:

  • The causes of Failure to Thrive
  • Steps and measures to take when your child shows signs of Failure to Thrive
  • How a dietitian and a doctor can help when your child has Failure to Thrive

Video Transcription:

Announcer: From Chicago’s leading experts in pediatrics to a worldwide
audience, this is Pediatric Therapy TV where we provide experience and
innovation to maximize your child’s potential. Now your host, here’s Robyn.

Robyn: Hello, and welcome to Pediatric Therapy TV. I’m your host, Robyn
Ackerman. I’m standing here today with a registered dietician, Stephanie
Wells. Stephanie, can you tell us what failure to thrive is and what can be
done about it?

Stephanie: Sure. Failure to thrive is diagnosed in children that are less
than two years old when their weight for length is less than the fifth
percentile on the growth chart and for kids that are over two years old, if
their BMI is less than the fifth percentile on the growth chart.

So in terms of what can be done, first a doctor and a registered dietician
can assess if there are any medical factors that are causing the failure to
thrive and then address those medical issues if that’s necessary. Second,
then a dietician can meet with the parent and the child and put together a
high calorie, high protein diet that includes three meals and two to three
snacks per day. Third, often these children need to be on some sort of a
high calorie, high protein formula or oral supplement beverage which the
dietician can recommend and get a prescription for, if needed. And then
from there, the dietician and doctor will closely monitor the child’s
weight and growth to make sure that they’re moving in the right direction
and meeting the goals that the dietician has made for the child.

Robyn: All right. Thank you, Stephanie, for that explanation and thank you
to our viewers. And remember, keep on blossoming.

Announcer: This has been Pediatric Therapy TV, where we bring peace of mind
to your family with the best in educational programming. To subscribe to
our broadcast, read our blogs, or learn more, visit our website at
learnmore.me. That’s learnmore.me.

Food as Medicine

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The seasons are about to change, school has resumed, and it’s only a matter of time before kids start getting sick. You can do your best to try to shave off those dreaded illnesses by ensuring proper nutrition and rest every day. But there’s just no avoiding it sometimes. Try not to get too stressed if your child has decreased intake when he or she is ill. It’s normal, and likely they will rebound after and make up for it by eating more of what they need for re-nourishment. Drinking adequate fluids is very important, however, as dehydration can have serious consequences. Also, adequate hydration helps the body “flush out” the bacteria, viruses, and immune factors causing symptoms.

sick child eating

For the following illnesses, here are some nutrition considerations:

Sore Throat. Eating and drinking can obviously be painful. Focus on cold, liquid foods.

  • Applesauce. Stir in quinoa for extra protein. Just cook the quinoa, let it cool, refrigerate, and stir into applesauce when your child is interested in eating.
  • Yogurt
  • Smoothies, made with yogurt, frozen fruit, and baby spinach leaves.
  • Gazpacho
  • Frozen bananas
  • Frozen fruit puree popsicles
  • Pediasure, especially if your child is on the low end of the growth chart, has other chronic medical issues, or otherwise has poor nutrition.

Diarrhea and/or Vomiting.

Gastrointestinal illnesses can occur for a variety of reasons. Likely eating or drinking will induce nausea. Hydration and electrolyte balance/replenishment are important with prolonged diarrhea and vomiting. Call the pediatrician if the vomiting or diarrhea persists longer than 24 hours. Seek medical care immediately if you see blood in the stool or emesis, and also if your child seems dehydrated. Some signs of dehydration are decreased urine output, darker colored urine, urine with a strong odor, dark circles under the eyes, lack of tears when crying, “tenting” of the skin (when you pull it up it doesn’t retract quickly), dry mouth, and lethargy. The best you can do is to encourage drinking fluids and eating small amounts as able. Focus on easily digested foods that are low in fat.

  • The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). These foods are easily digested, and the bananas and applesauce contain soluble fiber, which absorbs fluids in the gut and promotes a bulkier, more formed stool. This counteracts loose, watery diarrhea.
  • Congee is used to treat diarrhea, and versions of it are used in African, Indian, and Asian cultures. It’s basically rice that has been cooked for a long time with extra water so that it boils into a soupy mixture that is easily digestible .
  • Offer electrolyte replacement beverages, such as those discussed in my exercise hydration post. A great, natural option is called Recharge and can be found at Whole Foods and other natural grocery stores.
  • Some studies have shown improvement in duration of gastrointestinal symptoms with taking probiotics. See my probiotics blog for more recommendations.

Common cold or flu. Warming, soothing foods are usually best accepted.

  • Soups or stews. Take advantage of the opportunity to get some quality nutrition in these meals. Butternut squash soup is a good source of vitamin A, tomato soup is a good source of vitamin C, potato soup is a good source of potassium, and beef or chicken stew provides good protein.
  • Bone broth. This traditional soup is made by actually boiling bones for a prolonged time, which creates a broth full of the nutrients stored in bones. You can use bones from a whole chicken after cooking it and using the meat for another meal. Put them in a crock pot on low over night or simmer on the stove for 8-12 hours. Use the broth to make soups, noodles, congee, or drink it warmed.
  • Offer good vitamin C sources such as fresh citrus fruits.

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Healthy Barbecue for Parents and Kids

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Grilling season is going to be wrapping up in the next few months, but not before one of the biggest grill-out holidays of the season:  Labor Day! Summer barbecues are a time to celebrate with good food. You can still have good food and be healthy at your barbecue.

Parents with both of their children sharing food at the Barbecue

Here are some healthy barbecue pointers that I follow for myself and my family:

Choose organic meats. My picks:

  • Organic chicken breast or drumsticks (the drumsticks are only $3.00-$4.00 for 5 large pieces at Trader Joe’s)
  • Organic, local, grass fed ground beef from Fruitful Yield (at about $5.00 per pound, it doesn’t cost much more than non-organic)
  • Trader Joe’s 100% beef, nitrate- & nitrite-free hot dogs
  • Applegate brand organic hot dogs, which can be found in many grocery stores

Choose whole grain or 100% whole wheat hot dog and hamburger buns

You can find these at any grocery store, and really, they don’t taste different. Especially with all the yummy grill flavor coming through, and of course condiments.

Choose produce from the farmers market

Add some veggies to your grilling repertoire. Right now in season there is plentiful corn on the cob, eggplant, yellow and green zucchini, onions, potatoes, fennel, all colored peppers, mushrooms, and more. If your kids are old enough, ask them to help wash and even chop some of the veggies for you into large pieces. Toss the veggies in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill them, turning them once. After removing from the grill, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over them and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve in a large dish- beautiful with all the colors!

Make fruit skewers with yogurt dip

Again, get your kids involved by having them help wash, portion, and skewer a variety of fruits. Be creative and make a rainbow of colors with different fruits. You can make a simple fruit dip with vanilla yogurt (or any fruit flavored yogurt really).

Try pasta salad instead of traditional potato salad

You can make a delicious, healthier version of pasta salad by using whole wheat pasta or quinoa, an olive oil and vinegar dressing, and plenty of veggies, olives, fresh herbs and spices to flavor it.

Manage portions

Of course, there will likely be a variety of not-so-healthy food choices at any barbecue. Make just one plate of food, and make it reflect the Healthy Plate Model:  half of the plate filled with fruit and veggies, the other half split between whole grains and protein. Have a small dessert and drink water instead of soda.

Very important

Avoid over-cooking or charring foods on the grill, as this results in formation of cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). You can avoid these by cooking on lower flame for longer, pre-cook the meat a bit to decrease time needed on the grill, and trim off any charred pieces you do get.

Happy grilling!

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Tips to Get a Child to Try a New Food | Pediatric Therapy Tv

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In today’s Webisode, a registered dietitian provides strategies to help your child to try new foods.

In this video you will learn:

  • When is it recommended to offer a child a new food
  • How many exposures to a new food before we expect a child to eat it
  • How to make a child feel comfortable with trying new foods

Video Transcription:

Announcer: From Chicago’s leading experts in pediatrics to a worldwide
audience, this is Pediatric Therapy TV, where we provide experience and
innovation to maximize your child’s potential. Now, your host, here’s
Robyn.

Robyn: Hello, and welcome to Pediatric Therapy TV. I’m your host, Robyn
Ackerman, and I’m standing here today with Stephanie Wells, a Pediatric
Registered Dietician. Stephanie, can you give us three tips on how to get a
child to try a new food?

Stephanie: Sure. The first tip would be that you want to offer the new
foods in a low pressure situation. Offer them foods at the table or on
their high chair, and consistently offer them a new food, maybe once per
week. Don’t pressure them to try the new food, but just offer it to them
and encourage them to try it, and let them sort of come around to it. Just
remember that research shows that it takes a child 8 to 15 exposures to a
new food before they might actually eat it.

The second tip would be to have them help pick out a new food that they
might want to try. And they can do that at the grocery store or the farmers
market. And also get them involved in actually preparing the food.

The third tip would be to be a good role model for your children, in terms
of eating the types of foods that you would like them to eat. It can also
be really effective if they eat in a setting with their peers. So if they
have cousins or a play group where they can eat together, and if they see
other kids eating those types of foods, then they will be more likely to
want to eat it themselves.

Robyn: All right. Well, thank you so much for the tips. And thank you to
our viewers for watching. And remember, keep on blossoming.

Announcer: This has been Pediatric Therapy TV, where we bring peace of mind
to your family with the best in educational programming. To subscribe to
our broadcast, read our blogs, or learn more, visit our website at
learnmore.me. That’s learnmore.me.

Probiotics: What are they and Why are they Important?

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Probiotics is the term for food and supplements that contain microorganisms that can colonize the gut, specifically the small and large intestines. We actually have billions of bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tract. We now know that these bacteria have important roles in the body. They are involved in digestion, prevent infection by other disease-causing bacteria, and maintain the lining of the digestive tract. These bacteria can be killed off by antibiotics, and up to 30% of people taking antibiotics experience the side-effect known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (1). Some research has shown benefits to ingesting probiotics during and after a course of antibiotics to prevent diarrhea, to prevent pathogenic bacteria such a Clostridium difficile (C. diff) from inhabiting the gut and causing illness, and to maintain the lining of the gut. It is especially important for infants and children to have healthy gut bacteria, as they can be particularly susceptible to these side effects. It is also important that infants and children have a strong gut barrier as they constantly put things in their mouths and are still developing their gut-associated immune system. 70% of the human body’s immune system actually lines the gastrointestinal tract, and probiotics can help develop that.

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” (2). The supplement industry, which includes probiotics supplements, is not tightly regulated in the United States. Therefore, it is wise to ask a doctor or registered dietitian for recommendations of brands of probiotics if you or your child needs to take them in supplement form.

Probiotics are found naturally occurring in fermented foods such as:

  • Yogurt
  • Sour cream
  • Acidophilus Milk
  • Kefir
  • Tempeh
  • Sauerkraut
  • Kimchi

Including some of these foods in you and your child’s weekly diet can help ensure healthy gut bacteria and optimal digestion. For more information on probiotics in foods or supplements, and when to use probiotics, contact a dietitian at North Shore Pediatric Therapy.

References

  1. Mack DR. Probiotics. Can Fam Physician. 2005 November 10; 51(11): 1455–1457.
  2. Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Consultation. Evaluation of health and nutritional properties of powder milk and live lactic acid bacteria. Córdoba, Argentina: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization; 2001. [cited 2005 September 8]. Available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/probio_report_en.pdf.

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Exercise Hydration: What is the Right Beverage for my Child?

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With so many sports beverage and enhanced water products on the market, it’s good to know when they are actually useful. Many of these products have an ingredient list quite similar to soda, which is not something you typically would give your child or athlete after a workout. However, there are circumstances where nutrient and electrolyte replacement is very important for children and teens.

Child drinking a glass of water

Carbohydrates are an important nutrient to replenish because glycogen is the fuel which gets used up from muscle and liver stores during physical activity. Electrolytes, specifically sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate are important for nerve conduction and respiration. Some amounts are expired through sweat and given off with heavy breathing that comes with intense physical activity. For these reasons, carbohydrates and electrolytes need to be “replaced” after intense, continuous workouts lasting longer than 60 minutes, and can be achieved with electrolyte replacement beverages. This would apply to long distance runners, college or elite athletes in training, and swimmers, soccer, or basketball players who are doing continuous intense cardio training for more than an hour during workouts.

However, for most people hitting the gym for an hour or so, or kids playing in team sports or outside at the playground, nutrient and electrolyte replacement can be achieved from eating a normal, well-rounded diet. Eating a balanced meal or snack within an hour after physical activity is sufficient in this case. Drinking additional sports drinks will only provide extra calories and sugar (or diet sweeteners), and often artificial food coloring.

Use this table as a guide:

Commercial (or homemade*) electrolyte replacement beverage

  • Intense continuous physical activity lasting an hour or more such as running; drink 16-32 ounces of electrolyte replacement beverage. 30 grams of carb should be consumed for every 60 minutes of intense continuous cardio, within 30 minutes of activity. Electrolyte replacement is important if intense physical activity is in extreme heat, when sweating is excessive.

Chocolate milk (carb + pro + electrolytes)

  • College or elite athletes in training for several hours per day who need a quick, small meal + electrolyte replacement during or after long workouts lasting several hours. These athletes should consult with a dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition.

Coconut water

  • Natural electrolyte replacement beverage; high in potassium and lower in sodium and sugar than commercial electrolyte replacement beverages. Appropriate for moderate-high physical activity with sweating, such as spinning class, kickboxing, “boot camps”, outdoor sports in heat with continuous cardio 30-60 minutes, etc.

Water + well-rounded diet

  • As needed during and after any level of physical activity. This is all that is necessary for low or moderate physical activity such as playing outside, playing team sports, hitting the gym for 30-60 minutes, etc. A rule of thumb is 1 oz water for every 2 lbs body wt (50 oz/day for 100 lb person) daily. Increase as needed in heat or more strenuous activity.

*Recipe for homemade electrolyte replacement beverage, from Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup orange juice (not concentrate) plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 1/2 cups cold water

  1. In the bottom of a pitcher, dissolve the sugar and salt in the hot water.
  2. Add the juice and the remaining water; chill.

Recipe makes 1 quart.
Per 8 ounce serving, recipe provides: 50 calories, 12 grams carbohydrate, 110 mg sodium, 43 mg potassium.
Compared to original Gatorade per 8 ounce serving: 50 calories, 14 g carbohydrate, 110 mg sodium, 30 mg potassium.

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Is My Child Getting Enough Protein?

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Parents often tell me they are concerned that their infant, toddler, or child isn’t getting enough protein. Protein is critical for human growth, particularly during times of rapid growth- infancy and puberty. If your child is seemingly not eating enough protein, you may be concerned.

The good news is that kids can meet their daily protein needs more easily than you might think!

Infant Protein Needs:

Infants need more protein per kilogram of body weight than any other stage of life. However, breastmilk and infant formulas provide adequate protein, given that your child is taking enough volume. You will know that they are taking enough volume if they are growing within normal limits on the growth chart at pediatrician visits. Children eating protein foodsPreemies who need “catch-up growth” or infants who have special health care needs have especially high protein needs, and should be managed by a pediatric dietitian as well as their doctor.

When solids are introduced, offer a variety of pureed meats and/or beans at 8-9 months. You can make your own baby food by simmering meat in a crock pot (with enough water to cover it) for 8-12 hours or until very tender. Then once the meat has cooled, blend it in a food processor, adding liquid such as breastmilk, formula, or water as needed to make a smoother consistency. Infants over 8-9 months can also pick up and eat soft beans such as black beans. Make sure they are soft enough to mash easily in their mouth and watch closely for choking. You can mash them a little with a fork before putting them on their tray to make them easier to eat.

Toddler Protein Needs: 

Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 years need 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, if your child weighs 30 lbs, or about 14 kg, he or she needs about 16 grams of protein every day. Here is how your child can achieve this:

8 ounces, or 1 cup, of 2% milk has 8 grams of protein.
1 egg, prepared any way, has 7 grams of protein.

Your toddler practically met the entire day’s protein requirements in breakfast alone!

Adolescence Protein Needs:

During adolescence, kids need 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. So for example, a child who weighs 100 lbs needs about 45 grams of protein. Adolescents typically have a good appetite, so eating enough protein is usually not a problem. If your teen is skipping meals, restricting food, or losing weight suddenly, you should talk to your pediatrician or registered dietitian to make sure they get the nutrition they need.

Alternatives to meat that provide protein*

Cottage cheese – ¼ cup has 7 grams protein
Yogurt – ½ cup has about 5.5 grams protein
100% whole wheat bread – 1 slice has 5 grams protein
100% whole wheat pasta – ½ cup has about 4 grams protein
Quinoa – ½ cup has about 4 grams protein
Black beans – ¼ cup has 4 grams protein
Peanut butter – 1 tablespoon has 4 grams protein
Sunflower seed butter – 1 tablespoon has about 3 grams protein
Hummus – 1 tablespoon has about 1 gram of protein

*protein amounts may vary by brand

If you or your pediatrician have concerns about your child’s nutrition intake or growth, contact a pediatric registered dietitian for a nutrition assessment and recommendations. The dietitian can get your child back on track and help alleviate any stress you have as a parent regarding your child’s nutrition.

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Signs Your Child May Have an Eating Disorder

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There are different types of eating disorders which present in both girls and boys, although more commonly in girls. Anorexia nervosa involves restricting eating to induce weight loss. Bulimia nervosa involves purging, which can be in the form of vomiting and/or excessive exercising. anorexia scaleAnother eating disorder is binge eating without purging, which often results in weight gain. Sometimes, there is a combination of these behaviors occurring.

Eating disorders often develop in response to stress in one’s life. In other words, the child may use the eating disorder as a coping mechanism. In other cases, the child develops an eating disorder when they are striving for an extreme body image. In my experience, people with eating disorders are also usually depressed, using the eating disorder to deal with (or distract themselves from) much bigger problems in their lives. They have a very difficult time coming to terms with and truly letting go of the eating disorder behaviors. For these reasons, eating disorders should be treated by a multidisciplinary team to address the medical, nutritional, and psychological/behavioral issues. This approach promotes health and recovery more effectively than any of these treatments alone.

Here are some signs to look for that may indicate your child is struggling with an eating disorder:

  • Rigid rules about foods your child will or will not eat
  • Unwillingness to eat around others
  • Leaving after meals and going to the bathroom
  • Excuses about not wanting to eat
  • Fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and depression
  • Wearing baggy clothing to conceal weight loss
  • Hair starts thinning and becoming brittle
  • Callouses or scabs on the fingers/knuckles from inducing vomiting by sticking fingers down the throat
  • Finding laxatives in their possession that have not been prescribed for a reason
  • Moving food around the plate, cutting it, playing with it, but not actually eating much of it
  • Excuses about not wanting to eat in your presence (other plans, not feeling well, already ate, etc)
  • Making food for others but not eating any of it themselves
  • A covering of fine, short hair over neck and body
  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Drastic weight loss or gain
  • Hiding food
  • Missing periods
  • Eating in the middle of the night
  • Judgments of self, others, or of certain foods as good or bad in terms of eating, weight or body image.
  • Eating large amounts of food but not gaining weight.

Be aware that people with eating disorders usually do not want anyone to know that they are engaging in these behaviors. This is because they may be ashamed and/or not want to give up this coping mechanism. In this way, I have seen eating disorders become almost addictive to those really struggling with recovery. Discuss eating disorder concerns with your child’s pediatrician or schedule a meeting with a professional right away. For more information, refer to the National Eating Disorders Association website: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or, the Eating Disorders Resource Center website: www.edrcsv.org.

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Rising Development of Prediabetes and Diabetes in Teens, According to Recent Pediatrics Study

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A new study published in the May 21 issue of Pediatrics shows a rise in prevalence of a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among teens based on NHANES data from 1999-2008. One risk factor that was examined was pre-diabetes and diabetes, Diabetes diagramwhich had a prevalence of 23% in 2007-2008 data, based on 8 hour fasting blood glucose tests of teens ages 12-19. This is up from 9% in 1999-2000 data. The study warns that the result should be interpreted with caution as single blood glucose tests in children can be inaccurate. In any case, the upward trend of prevalence of diabetes is alarming, as this medical condition has serious consequences.

There are two types of diabetes seen in children and teens, which have different etiologies. Type 1 Diabetes is a genetic, autoimmune disorder in which a child’s pancreas cannot produce insulin. Type 2 Diabetes involves insufficient insulin production and/or insulin resistance at the cells related to overweight status, poor quality of diet, and inadequate physical activity.

Overview of Physiology of Type 2 Diabetes:

In human physiology and digestion, carbohydrates are consumed, digested and broken down to simple sugar molecules. These are then absorbed from the gut to the blood stream, and circulated throughout the entire body to all the organs and tissues, to be used as a primary source of energy. In response to sugar in the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin is the critical hormone needed to “open” all cells in the body so that the cells can uptake and utilize sugar from the blood stream for energy.

In Type 2 Diabetes, either the pancreas is no longer able to produce enough insulin to manage all of the sugar in the bloodstream, and/or the cells throughout the body are no longer responding to the insulin knocking at the door. In both cases, sugar is not being utilized properly by the cells and is circulating in higher than normal levels in the bloodstream. This elevated blood sugar level is how diabetes is diagnosed, and is what causes the complications of diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can cause damage to the lining of the blood vessels, or cause “congestion” in the blood vessels. If blood is not flowing properly, then tissues are not being nourished or oxygenated well. If these tissues are in the brain or heart, this can cause stroke or heart attack. In the feet or hands, this causes poor circulation which can cause neuropathy, or tingling and numbness, and eventually circulation can be so poor that amputation is necessary.

Diet and exercise are directly related to both the development and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Over time, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to keep up with the body’s demands of chronically high blood sugar levels. In addition, cells in the body stop responding to the insulin accompanying high blood sugar levels, also known as “insulin resistance”. Type 2 Diabetes used to be called “adult-onset” diabetes, as it was formerly diagnosed later in life, when metabolism slowed and organ function declined with age. The fact that it is now seen in kids and teenagers is a huge indicator of poor quality of diet and lack of exercise, as seen in the NHANES population sample of the Pediatrics study. It is also directly correlated with the rise of obesity and overweight in kids and teens.

Conclusion

The bigger message of this study is that overweight teenagers may face a difficult road of health problems, if changes to their diet and lifestyle are not made today. Type 2 Diabetes is preventable and often can be managed with diet and lifestyle changes, under medical supervision. Studies have shown that even 10% weight loss (of total body weight) lowers blood sugar levels. Also, exercise directly stimulates the cells to uptake sugar from the blood stream, improving the issue of insulin resistance. If your child or teen is overweight, obese, or has been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, do not delay addressing the issue. Meet with a registered dietitian to make a plan to prevent or manage diabetes.

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Why Meet with a Registered Dietitian?

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At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, our registered dietitian, Stephanie Wells, MS RD LD, specializes in pediatric nutrition, and works with kids of all ages- preemies through adolescents. She is passionate about kids’ nutrition, and aims to alleviate parents’ concerns for their child’s nutrition status. Her background includes working in the pediatric ICU as well as a pediatric outpatient gastrointestinal clinic. Stephanie’s areas of expertise include food allergies, underweight or difficulty gaining weight, feeding difficulties, picky eating issues, specialized diets, constipation and diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, overweight or obesity, nutrition for children with special healthcare needs, and managing gastrostomy tube feedings.Registered dietitian

Nutrition Facts:

As stated on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website (www.eatright.org), “Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts, translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. The expertise, training and credentials that back a registered dietitian are vital for promoting positive lifestyle choices. Registered dietitians draw on their experience to develop a personalized nutrition plan for individuals of all ages.”

Stephanie will spend quality time listening to what your family’s unique needs are, and then together, will create a nutrition plan that works for you. She can provide meal ideas, handouts, special diet materials, samples, and any tools or resources you need for you and your child to be successful in moving toward health.

Nutrition is a hot topic these days, especially childhood obesity. In an article published by USA Today on May 7, 2012, researchers report the country’s obesity rate will reach 42% by the year 2030 if current trends continue. Even more compelling- “ ‘If the obesity rate stays at 2010 levels instead of rising to 42% as predicted, then the country could save more than $549.5 billion in weight-related medical expenditures from now till 2030,’ says study co-author Trogdon.”* Of course, the monetary costs are not the only costs at stake with children dealing with obesity. There are also serious health consequences that can arise such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as the emotional effects.
Nutrition-related health issues such as obesity are often a result of daily habits over time. You may think, “My family’s diet isn’t perfect. But we are just too busy right now. Maybe next week we will make a change.” Make this week the week you meet with a registered dietitian to help make a change in your family’s diet.
*To read the full article on obesity in USA Today, go to http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-07/obesity-projections-adults/54791430/1


schedule-a-nutrition-assessment



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