Growing Healthy

Drop added Sugars to less than 9 tsp/day

1 Soda or fruit juice contains 9-13 tsp sugar

Better Choice

Water contains 0 tsp sugar

1 Orange has 3 tsp natural sugar

Reduce Processed Foods

These are nutrient-depleted, high-calorie foods like

mac & cheese, fast food, pizza, goldfish

Better Choice

-Fresh vegetables and fruits like apples, bananas, broccoli, green beans

-Proteins like wild-caught fish, pastured chicken, grassfed beef

-Use real fats; butter, olive oil, coconut oil

-Minimize dressings & sauces with high added sugars

Studies show that Toddlerhood is the time where life long habits are formed. Toddlerhood can be critical in establishing nutritional habits that carry overall health into adulthood.⁷

Truly, as a parent it can get scary when you do not understand why your child is smaller or bigger, walking too fast or delayed. Basically, ranges exist to show the uniqueness of your child within a set of data. Click these terrific links available to guide you in assessing development opportunities with your child based on the placement within ranges of social, behavioral, and developmental markers. Certainly, nothing replaces an appointment with appropriately trained professionals, but these links could prepare you and equip you in working with your child and the pediatric professional you choose.

And remember to have fun! Life is all about the perspective you choose.

References

1. Smith BM, Sharma R, Das A, et al. Patient and family engagement strategies for children and adolescents with chronic diseases: A review of systematic reviews. Patient Educ Couns. 2021;104(9):2213-2223. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.026

2. Ogden, C.L., Carroll, M., Curtin, L., Lamb, M., Flegal, K. (2010). Prevalence of High Body mass Index in Us Children and Adolescents 2007- 2008. Journal of American Medical Association, 3030(3), 242-249

3. *U.S. Department of Agriculture. National Agriculture Library. DRI Calculator for Healthcare Professionals.

4. Riley LK, Rupert J, Boucher O. Nutrition in Toddlers. Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(4):227-233.

5. Grosso G, Galvano F, Marventano S, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and depression: scientific evidence and biological mechanisms. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014;2014:313570. doi:10.1155/2014/313570

6. White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President. Retrieved August 29, 2010. http://www.letsmove.gov/pdf/TaskForce_on_Childhood _Obesity_May2010_FullReport.pdf

7. National Lipid Association. Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Triglycerides. 2020.

8. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Assessment of Young Children. Last updated 2023. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Member_Resources/AACAP_Committees/Infant_and_Preschool_Committee/Assessment_of_Young_Children.aspx

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Mandy

Mandy is the force behind the nonprofit advocacy portal Real Food Recovery. Seeing the need for children at risk to have better foods and education to handle their trauma, Mandy founded a nonprofit organization using real food, real discussion, and encouragement. A Wife, Mom of birth and adopted children, author, BSc., Functional Nutritional Therapy Practice, Mandy shares simple food tips online and volunteers at local Group and Orphanage Homes.

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