Show MEDICALLY Y c 1 SPEAKING j By Dr David Evans Vernal Family Health Center The child who wont won't eat Perhaps the most common problem which brings children to the doctor between 15 months and eight years is Doctor what's the matter with Ith Suzie she wont won't eat Feeding Instructions for lor the Child with a Poor Appetite 1 1 Do not force or coax your child to eat cat Keep regular but not rigid feeding schedule 2 Try not to even comment on what is eaten and what isn't this is hard we know 3 Keep mealtime pleasant 4 Make portions small 5 Offer a varied diet Protein is particularly important for growing children and can be found in meats fish eggs eggs milk cheese peas beans and some cereals Allow some choice in foods 6 Remember that few children eat a completely bal balanced diet every day and that food dislikes must be respected Remember also th that t teven even fewer young children eat three square meals a day with nothing in between meals 7 Snacks at regular times such at 10 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon not only are ale but may may even be desirable Recent animal ex experiments experiments experiments' ex- ex x- x have made some scientists question the validity of the long cherished American idea that people sh should uld obtain their nourishment only by eating a few big meals ea each h day Of course these between meal feedings should consist of such nutritious foods as lean meat skim milk raw fruits and vegetables or unsweetened fruit Juices rather than sweets candy and carbonated beverages which should not compose a part of the childs child's daily dally diet They fill him up replacing mere more nutritious body bodybuilding bodybuilding bodybuilding building foods A compromise solution that may work if not abused is establish a treat day once a week at which time sweets may be offered 8 Dont Don't use food as a reward or punishment Comment The appetite problem is a peculiarly American in In- In It rarely exists in countries where there is an insufficient food supply In such countries children eagerly eat cat anything they can find In America an over-abundant over food supply plus an overly zealous and conscientious parent can can easily create a feeding problem unless common common common com com- mon sense nutritional and psychological principles are understood and followed Dr Evans will witt answer questions of general interest through this column If you have any questions or comments comments comments com com- ments please send them to the Vernal Express |