Question About Pediasure-type Products ...

Hi W.,

I focus on maternal and child health and can offer you tons of great ideas to help get your toddler to eat more of a variety of foods. Honestly, pediasure is a waste of money. You can make your own "shake" buy purchasing a rice protein powder by Nutribiotics..it is organic and enzymatically processed means nothing has been destroyed during the "powder" making process. It is $20 for a tub and you only need a tsp per 3oz...I still give this to my daughter who is 19m. This will last you months. Just put it in their milk.

If he likes mashed potatoes, you can take away a potato and add some pureed cauliflower and pureed parsnips. You can add a sweet potato for some vitamin a and a natural buttery (and sweet) flavor. It takes kids 10-15 times before they will try a new food after it has been introduced...so you have to be persistant and consistant. It took one month before my daughter would finally eat some zucchini. Last night, my daughter did not like dinner...I refuse to give in and make something else, they'll get hungry enough they'll eat what you put on their plate..kids are intuitive eaters, so they really do eat when they are hungry, this tends to subside when they are about 3yrs old...it is up to us to help them explore their palate.

Have you tried hummus or avocados? White beans? There are options, you can mash white beans in with the mashed potatoes too for some fiber and protein. The ideas are endless. :)

I have a handout on ideas, email me your email address and I will email it to you.

J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Consultant

PS: I will add that I did not let my daughter go to bed hungry..she was given fruit and her milk with the protein powder in it, but she is also getting her pointer teeth, so she will not eat well when teething. You do have to do what is best for your child, you know them the best! :)

You as the mom need to get your son to eat more than just chicken nuggets and potatoes. His body is not getting the nourishment it needs. He needs to eat vegtables and fruits too. I know it's not fun but you are going to have to work with him to get him to eat new things. You are setting him up to have problems as an adult if you don't teach him what he needs to eat. I had one son who didn't like anything but now that he's grown the only thing that he still hates to eat is cooked celery...but he will eat it raw. So figure out new ways of gettin your son interested in real food. Supplements don't work the same as the real thing.

W., you've got some tough but very good advice here. It's hard sometimes but you are in control and the others are right about this product. It's not good and although it my be a vitamin, it is not as nutritional as you may think.

Powdered vitamins are great to put into juices or a water bottle and probiotics are even better. But consistent exposure to good foods in a fun way (may take some creativity on your part) is necessary. Are you eating the types of foods that you want him to eat? Cutting up cucumbers into bite size pieces along with apples and melons.

Since he likes mashed potatoes, you could put the powdered probitics in there (it will color it green) but at least you are getting a truly fortified potato! I can assist you in the types of things my family uses that we get online. If you would like more information, please give me your email address. No one said that motherhood was easy! Keep asking good questions and just keep reinforcing new foods. Finger foods of all kinds can be made with a little patience on your part. If he's really hungry, he will eat it. Good luck to you.

K.
Wellness Consultant

My son,22 months, has been drinking Pediasure for 6 months a couple times a day. He only eats cheese, rice, cheerios, pizza, chips and sometimes a fruit. Our pediatrician recommended it, it is helping with the added healthy calories, but I hope he starts eating because it sure gets expensive and I don't like the added sugar. I also dislike all the 8 ounce bottles, at least they get put in our recycle bin. I would talk to your pediatrician, or try a vitamin/mineral supplement. I rep one, but I don't want this to sound like I'm being a salesperson, check out my site, www.gopillfree.com, the product is Body Balance.
Anyway, I think I'm going to get him off the Pediasure and go the more natural, less sugar approach.
good luck with whatever you decide!

Hi,

After reading these responses, I feel I have to respond. My daughter has been a problem eater since she was born. She is currently taking a feeding class through Arlington Pediatric Therapy to help her become more willing to try/eat different foods. According to some of the material the therapists have given us, "It is a MYTH that if a child is hungry enough, he/she will eat and not starve themselves. This is true for 94-96% of the pediatric population. For the other 4-6% of the pediatric population who have feeding problems, they will "starve" themselves (usually inadvertently however). For the majority of these children, feeding doesn't work and/or it hurts, and no amount of hunger is going to overcome that fact. Children are organized simply; if it hurts, don't do it. If it doesn't work; cry and/or run away. For children who have skill or medical problems with eating, their appetite often becomes suppressed over time, such that they no longer respond correctly to appetite as a cue to eat sufficiently."

Rather than giving your child Pediasure, I would recommend getting your child into a program like the one my daughter is in. It's called the SOS feeding program. If you would like more info, please send me a personal message.

M.

My son is also picky eater due to texture adversions. He really loves the vanilla flavor. I give him nutritional supplement drinks from time to time to make sure he is getting what he needs. They are all pretty much the same, so you may want to go with price rather than brand.

Just an fyi, these drinks are soy-based so don't give them to your child if he has soy or nut allergies. They also seem to help relieve any constipation my son might have, which has led to a few blow outs in our house.

My daughter buys them for my 6 years old grandson. His favorite one is chocolate milk.

Our doctor put our daughter on this at maybe 15 months old and she is still on it (almost 3). Our daughter is a terrible eater (we actually see a specialist that put her on medication for this), but this allows her to get the meal she needs even when she won't eat it. It does get expensive though. We have found the generic/store brands are almost exactly the same, but maybe with a bit more fat, which is probably a good thing. Hope that helps.

Hi W.! Is this your 3yr/or 14 mon old? I found from experience that your children will eat what is offered to them. I always made a point to introduce everything to my son. I had a neighbor that always allowed her kids to choose what they wanted....and of coarse they always chose junk. This is because they do not know any better and need to be taught. She only introduced the chicken nuggets too and this was all he would eat.She gave in everytime. If you want your child to eat/try something different then you need to introduce these foods and eliminate the easy wants. Don't worry they will not starve....they may fuss....but they will eat what you give them. You have to be strong and hold your guard and DON'T give in whatever you do. I opted not to ever use nutritional supplements because this is an easy out for both parent and child. Be patient...you can do it. Good luck to you! =)

They only eat what you give them! First, certain ages show different reatctions to food, most toddlers can be picky. Second, it may take 10 times of introducing a new food before they start to eat it, keep trying! Third, if he's okay with the weight gain I wouldn't give Pediasure. And finally, I would talk to your doctor.
Good luck!

Hello! I too have a picky eater on my hands. I have used Pedissure in the past, and like the product. Her favorite is strawberry. She has never had a problem with her weight and height and the PED says she is thriving just fine. Remember that toddlers are picky, and they will go through phases. I have found a very helpful way to get my daughter to eat a variety of things. They are called Betty Crockers food cloring pens, and you can get them in the bAKING AISLE. I draw happy faceds on sandwhiches, and they work on just about anything. I have also found(as annoying as it may be) that if I allow her to help plan and make the meal, she is much more apt to eating it! Also-remember a serving of fruits and veggies for a little one is really only like a tablespoon or two. If you look at it like that, it is not so scary:) One last thing that would really help, is really eliminate all sugary treats and popsicles. If they are used to getting those, they will "hold out" for them, insteas of trying soemthing new. When you give a popsicle, try Edyts fruit bars- made with real fruit. They are so good, and have a full serving of fruit:)

My daughter was on Pediasure and now we have switched to Resource 1.5/Boost for kids. My daughter is 2 and has been on it sine about 13 months. She is on it for medical reasons as she doesn't gain weight/eat or drink enough. I will warn you it is kinda pricey. Off brands are usually comparable for less money. Have you considered trying vitamins instead? They are alot less expensive. Also another thing they suggest when insurance doesn't want to pay is carnation instant breakfast. It is way cheaper and comparable. That is as long as it is not the child's only source of intake. I would try the vitamins or carnation first but that's just me.

Good Luck!
T.
www.JaslynParker.com

It's been said that it can take up to 14 times for a child to like a particular food. I will try to provide a variety of different foods for my kids, and when I try something new, I call it *adding it to the rotation*--I'll make that food every 5 days or so, to make it familiar. More times than not, they grow to like it.

As for meal supplements, I would not use something like Pediasure--they have artificial flavors, and the first 2 ingredients listed are water and sugar. I have trusted Shaklee products with my kids now, so if anything, I'd have used their Meal Shakes. But if your son is not underweight, I would just continue to introduce a variety of healthy foods, and make sure he's taking a quality multivitamin (We like Shaklee's Ocean Wonders chewable).

Best of luck!

I agree with the advice the wellness consultants gave you. If he has no medical or special needs that are lending into that pickiness, then it takes persistance on your part to expand your son's palate and give him the well rounded diet that he should have. Pediasure and other drinks like this are not meant as constant meal replacement/supplements. How is your diet? Children will open up and try new things when their parents consistently eat a variety of foods. You received some good suggestiions as far as starting out with the things he likes (mashed potatoes) and putting in cauliflower. If you do that, make sure to put a little of the actual veggie NOT mashed so he can experience and be aware of the food so we aren't always "sneaking" it in like it's bad. Children will eat if they get hungry enough. They (ON AVERAGE) won't starve themselves (therefore it's not a "myth." A child with no special needs won't starve themselves out of stubbornness.) The only way for your kid to get chicken nuggets and the like is if you give it to him. Think about what people did when they didn't have all these marketing ploys like pediasure to assist in children's pickiness. Kids ate what they were given. Don't lend into his pickiness, slowly work him out of it. Good luck.

Our doctor suggested switching one cup a milk a day with Pediasure but with our kids it was because of height/weight issues. We did find that they enjoyed it too much. I agree that it's pricey but the off-brands are just as good. As a side comment, we did find Pediasure a great help when traveling because it doesn't have to be refrigerated like milk does.

My son is the same way, and each time I think I am so creative, he is pushing food away. Unless of course its pb&j, macncheese, or some sort of potato! My son didn't like Pediasure. Plus I think there is quite a bit of sugar in there to make it taste good. I now give him Arbonne's Smart Nutrition Hybrid Power Punch for Kids. Its fruit flavored and can be added to water and juices. A box of 30 runs about $22. I have to say, my kids haven't been to the doctor but maybe once each all winter, compared to last year, for us is a miracle. Don't know if it's the powder or what, maybe its just in my head! You can purchase it right off the website at arbonne.com, I did become a rep so that I could receive personal discounts, but am not very active since I really just buy things for myself and for gifts. Their nutritional products are amazing, loaded with whole food fruits and veggies, and of course key vitamins and minerals. The best part is there is no artificial ingredients! They also offer supplements for moms and dads too!!https://www.arbonne.com/products/weight_loss/hybrids/kids...

I give my son Peadiasure because he is not gaining weight. We go next month to see if it is helping but he loves them. Target seems to have then cheaper then anyone else. I've tried the generic and name brand and he likes them both. I do notice there is a difference in his BM when he drinks the name brand vs. the regular. My older daughter eats the same way as your son and my ped. told me as long as you give them a daily vitamin then that should take care of any nutritional needs they have.