Diet & Nutrition, Babies and kids

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Eating throughout life

Babies and kids

The ever-growing problem of childhood obesity and lack of exercise among SA children is gaining media and expert attention.

But what can parents do to combat the problem? This section contains useful info on how kids should eat and how specific diet-related health problems should be addressed.

Diets for toddlers

The period in a child’s development between one and three years of age can often be a difficult one - particularly when it comes to eating. Here's some sound advice.

Fussy kid? Here's help

Jimmy flatly refuses to eat his greens. How can you convince him that it's worth it?

Diets for preschool children

Preschool children's diets should be aimed at ensuring adequate growth and preventing nutritional problems, such as vitamin deficiencies and overweight.

Menus for preschool kids

Mothers often find it difficult to translate lists of portions sizes and food groups into actual menus. DietDoc gives examples of menus for preschool children (aged 4-6 years).

Obesity: complications in kids

Globally, more than 22 million kids younger than five suffer from obesity. This not only has an impact on their quality of life, but also on their health - now and in future.

Fat kids run diabetes risk

A significant percentage of obese children and adolescents have a condition, called impaired glucose tolerance, that commonly leads to diabetes.

Make eating safer for kids

We often hear about the choking hazard in young children. But why are young children more at risk of choking and how can you prevent it from happening?

New dietary guidelines for kids

The new dietary guidelines for children, which have just been released by the American Heart Association (AHA), are geared towards combating the obesity epidemic.

The bumpy road to breastfeeding

What should you eat while you're breastfeeding? How can you increase your milk production? Why is it better to breastfeed? DietDoc answers a few crucial questions.

Obesity major health risk for kids

A recent study indicates that South African children show relatively high levels of being overweight and obese.

The other side of the obesity story

Think of obese South African kids. Junk food and no exercise the main problems? Not so, say researchers. There are kids in poor communities who are obese - and have stunted growth.

First foods for baby

Are you unsure of what to feed your baby when you start to wean her? DietDoc gives suggestions on when to introduce juice and semi-solid foods.

Breastmilk, good bugs thwart eczema

Eczema, asthma and allergies affect up to 40% of young children. Research shows, however, that breastfeeding and probiotics may help prevent these conditions.

SA kids remain undernourished

Stunting and underweight remain the most common nutritional disorders in SA, while obesity numbers are also still growing. During National Nutrition Week, we take stock.

Parents' guide to food labels

Making sense of food labels and matching them to the needs of family members can be a challenge. Here are some tips from dietician Megan Pentz-Kluyts.

What are school tuck shops serving?

The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) has launched a groundbreaking Tuck Shop Programme that challenges parents to examine what their children are being fed at school.

Kids 'like' crunchy veggies

For all those parents out there who struggle to feed their children vegetables, Dutch researchers have some advice: keep them crunchy by steaming or boiling them.

Top 10 health tips for kids

Children must eat a variety of foods to ensure the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth. Teach your child healthy eating habits now and lay a good foundation for life.

Get your kids to eat healthily

When it comes to teaching children healthy eating habits, it's important to remember that kids mirror their parents' eating patterns.

Nutrition in the 1st year of life

For how long should you breastfeed? When should you start introducing solid foods? And what should you know about milk formulae? Get the info here.

More on diets for toddlers

In this article, DietDoc takes a look at the problems associated with feeding toddlers who lose their appetite, who refuse to eat and kids that have to ‘catch-up’ after being ill.

Menus for toddlers (1-3 years)

“What and how much should I feed my toddler?”, is a question that is often asked. Dietician Dr Ingrid van Heerden gives useful advice to parents.

More diet tips for preschoolers

How much should your five-year-old eat and how would you know if the child's diet is balanced? Certain growth patterns can be used to judge if food intake is adequate.

What SA is doing about its fat kids

The ever-growing problem of childhood obesity and lack of exercise among South African children is gaining media and expert attention. DietDoc takes a look at this serious issue.

Experts caution against diet

With obesity levels among children higher than ever, experts caution against what would seem the logical solution: dieting.

Unhealthy eating habits in kids

Do you obsess about your weight? Well, it's time to stop, if not for your sake, then for that of your kids.

Healthy eating tips for children

It is difficult to overcome the temptation of giving your child all his favourites to eat. But how can you encourage your child to eat healthily?

Tooth decay and diet

Although the decline in tooth decay in many countries has been largely linked to fluoride exposure and improved dental hygiene, eating habits still affect the risk of tooth decay.

Breastfeeding? Avoid eating for two

You should definitely watch what you eat when you're breastfeeding, as everything is passed on to your baby. Just don't make the mistake of eating for two, DietDoc says.

Kids and health risks: take action

Our children have never before been exposed to more diet- and exercise-related health risks than right now. Parents, caregivers, teachers and doctors need to take action.

Do feeding schemes deliver?

The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a plan that was drawn up by government to feed learners from primary and high schools.

First 2 yrs determine health

How fast you grew when you were a toddler could determine your risk for certain chronic diseases, like diabetes. Find out why.

SA kids 5th-fattest in the world

Up to 5% of boys and a staggering 25% of girls in South Africa are obese or overweight. Is your child affected?

Teach your tot to eat healthily

Trace your eating habits back to their roots, and you'll probably note that your parents had a great influence. Now is the time to teach your kids the principles of good nutrition.

Get your kids to drink more water

Poor hydration can affect a child's concentration levels, memory and learning ability. Here are smart ideas that will make water more appealing to your kids.

Picky eaters - patience pays

Picky eating, mostly found in toddlers, is more common than you may think. Here are a few practical guidelines to help you put your child on the path to better nutrition.

Are you a salt savvy parent?

In today's fast paced fast food world the detrimental consequence is that children are eating far too much salt without their moms and dads even being aware of it.

Preschool diet in spotlight

It's National Nutrition Week. Did you know that stunting and being underweight are the most common nutritional disorders afflicting South Africa's preschool kids?

Healthy eating habits: start early

Good eating habits should start from a baby’s first mouthful of breastmilk, through the stages when solid foods are introduced, and then be maintained into the adult years.