Special Edition Spring 2023 Newsletter: National Nutrition Month

FEED TO SUCCEED UPDATES & NUTRITION NEWS

Hello Betsy,

Thank you for reading our Special Edition Spring Newsletter featuring National Nutrition Month and for being part of our Feed to Succeed community! Our team continues to offer excellent pediatric nutrition services based on the most current evidence-based pediatric nutrition therapy. Read our newsletter to learn more about what is new at Feed to Succeed.

Featured Nutrition Topics

National Nutrition Month®

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign focused on helping people make informed food choices and develop helpful feeding and physical activity habits. Started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 1973, this year is the 50th anniversary!

The theme of this year's campaign is "Fuel for the Future." This theme focuses on sustainability and eating with the environment in mind. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Feed to Succeed can help you create healthy habits that focus on sustainability. For more information, visit the Academy's Website at https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023.

How to Eat Sustainably during National Nutrition Month®

Incorporate "Meatless Mondays" into your regular rotation of family meals. Eating plant-based meals is not only healthy but also good for the environment.
Be aware of your plastic waste and choose reusable bags, paper bags, and refillable water bottles/coffee mugs.
When eating out, bring home your leftovers to make as a meal the next day.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables this month! Try something new!
Use your leftovers to create a new meal such as a salad or soup. Research recipes to use what you already have!
As spring comes around, consider visiting your local farmer's market.
Store foods in the pantry so that the oldest foods are in the front and the newest foods are in the back.
To prevent spoiling, practice good food safety. Make sure that foods that could spoil are in sight in the refrigerator or on the counter.
Plant a garden or grow herbs.
Try composting.
Be mindful of portion sizes to reduce food waste.

https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023

Academy Tip Sheet

National Nutrition Month Presentation

National Nutrition Month® Weekly Messages from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Week 1: Eat with the Environment in Mind

Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks
Purchase foods with minimal packaging
Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible
Start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home

Week 2: See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Learn how nutrient needs may change with age
Receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals
Click here to make an appointment with an RDN at Feed to Succeed

Week 3: Stay nourished and save money

Plan your meals and snacks
See what food you have at home before purchasing more
Use a grocery list and shop sales when purchasing food
Learn about community resources such as SNAP, WIC, and local food banks

Week 4: Eat a variety of foods from all food groups

Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions
Eat foods in various forms including fresh, frozen, canned, and dried
Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions
Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs

Week 5: Make tasty foods at home

Learn cooking and meal preparation skills
Try new flavors and foods from around the world
Find creative ways to use leftovers rather than tossing them
Create happy memories by eating with friends and family when possible

https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023

Below are some games to celebrate National Nutrition Month®! Click on the links to access the National Nutrition Month® Crossword Puzzle, Word Search, and Word Scramble!

Crossword Puzzle

Word Search

Word Scramble

Constipation

Rome IV Diagnostic criteria for constipation in children aged 4 years and younger

A child is defined as having functional constipation if he/she has two or more of the following for at least one month (in the absence of an organic pathology):

Less than or equal to 2 defecations per week
History of excessive stool retention
History of painful or hard bowel movements
Presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum
History of large diameter stools

In children who are toilet trained, the additional criteria may be used:

At least one episode per week of incontinence after the acquisition of toileting skills
History of large-diameter stools (may block the toilet)

How common is it? Constipation is a common problem in children. About 1 in every 20 doctor visits children make is due to constipation.

The most important aspect of pooping is its softness. See the chart below to assess your child's poop. The goal is to poop a type three or four on the scale.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Constipation.aspx

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20354242

Adapted from Benninga MA, et al.

What about Fiber Supplements?

Psyllium is an insoluble fiber that can be effective in treating constipation as it is the #1 recommended fiber for IBS. When looking at making dietary changes to improve constipation, we recommend increasing insoluble fiber in the diet.

General Tips for Children with Constipation

Aim to increase insoluble fiber, which helps work as a bulking agent to make your stool softer. Insoluble fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Increase fruit and vegetable intake. Try to aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Incorporate vegetables into meals that contain insoluble fiber such as zucchini, celery, dark leafy vegetables, and root vegetables. Fruits that contain insoluble fiber include pears, prunes, peaches, plums, and apples.

Drink plenty of water! Fiber needs to absorb water to work effectively and bulk up your stool!

What about Breakfast? Start the day with fiber by choosing a high-fiber cereal. Look for a cereal with 5g or more fiber per serving. Fiber One, All-Bran, Bran Flakes, and Shredded Wheat are good examples of high-fiber cereals.

Replace white bread, white rice, and white pasta with bread containing whole grains. Examples include whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole grain pasta.

Read the label and its ingredients. Many product labels say whole grain on the package but not in the ingredients. When looking for sliced bread, look for the words whole wheat or whole grain and make sure it contains at least 3g of fiber per serving.

When baking, use whole grain flour whenever possible in place of white flour.

Create a toilet routine such as going after school or meal time to help with constipation.

Work with a dietitian to determine if your child may benefit from using a probiotic and starting a laxative medication per GI doctor.

Movement and exercise can also be beneficial. Aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day per the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What are some common causes of constipation?

Witholding is one common cause of constipation in children. Withholding occurs when your child ignores the urge to have a bowel movement and holds it in. Witholding can happen for many reasons. These reasons may include fears of using a public bathroom, not wanting to take a break from playtime or go during school, or due to fear of using the toilet. It can also happen while your child is toilet training.

Your child's diet could also be contributing to their constipation. Not consuming enough fruits, vegetables, or fluid or consuming too many dairy-containing products (cheese or cow's milk) can cause constipation. Changes to your child's diet can also be the cause of constipation. One example of a change in diet that can cause constipation is going from an all-liquid diet to one with solid foods.

Changes in routine such as travel, stress, or changes in environment like starting school can also cause constipation. Medications, cow's milk allergy, family history, and other medical conditions may also contribute to constipation.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20354242

Feed to Succeed works with clients with Constipation. We work one-on-one with families and children to help support health and nutrition with Constipation. Click here to make an appointment.

Visit our Podcast on Feedtosucceed.com to Listen To Engaging Pediatric Nutrition Topics

Click to Visit our Feed to Succeed Blog

Podcast: Kids and Constipation

Most of us have struggled at one point or another, and many of our kids have struggled too with constipation. There are some basic things you can do to make things move more easily, and then you need to know when it’s time to take it to the next level. Don’t miss this great episode!

Blog: Ask the Dietitian Should I Buy Organic?

Ask the Dietitian: My kids are 1 and 3 years old. I am wondering about buying organic versus non-organic. Is it really necessary to buy organic? Find out more by clicking the blue button on the left.

Sports Nutrition Highlight

Read our sports nutrition highlight about eating plant-based proteins after training/practice.

Sports Nutrition helps athletes perform at their best both on and off the field. Feed to Succeed offers services in sports nutrition and can work one-on-one with your athlete.

Do you have a child with IBS? If so, check out our Flourishing with FODMAPs Course to learn how a low-FODMAP diet can end your child’s painful and embarrassing IBS symptoms

Click to go to the academy homepage to see all course offerings.

Follow Feed to Succeed on Social Media

Are you part of our social community? Be sure to follow us for daily updates on healthy kids' snack ideas, tips for healthy teens, recipes, and more!

We are active on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter! @feedtosucceed.

Work with Feed to Succeed

While many of our clients are referred to us by a pediatrician or specialist, many parents seek us out on their own when they have concerns about their child’s diet, eating habits, or weight when they aren’t getting the answers they need from other professionals. Whether it’s a picky eating phase, food allergies, or intensive nutrition therapy for a feeding tube, our dietitians want to work with you and your child to optimize a healthy lifestyle through nutrition.

Please review the screening questions below to assess potential nutrition concerns to see if your child would benefit from meeting with one of our registered dietitians.

Has your child unintentionally gained or lost weight recently?
Does your child have a feeding tube?
Does your child have a condition that requires a restricted or special diet?
Has your child had poor weight gain or height gain over the last few months?

Has your child been eating less recently?
Does your child have a food allergy or intolerance?
Does your child avoid multiple food groups?
Does your child complain of abdominal pain or discomfort at least three times per month?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above or if you have any general questions about your child’s nutrition, please contact us. If you know of a child or family who could benefit from working with a registered dietitian please share Feed to Succeed's contact information.

Submit a Patient Story

Nothing brings us more joy and satisfaction than when our clients heal and thrive. We want to share family stories because we cherish helping our patients succeed.

Click here to submit a patient story to be featured in our next newsletter.

Email us at info@feedtosucceed.com or call us at (847)724-8015 to schedule an appointment or receive answers to any nutrition questions you might have.