Food Allergy Living Blog Tagged Results

Our post today is a special guest blog entry from Dianne Lazer.Dianne is a speech language pathologist and certified orofacial myologist in Cherry Hill, New Jersey where she specializes in pediatric speech, language, swallowing and feeding disorders. She is also one of the authors of a series of four nutrition books for children: Ryan Fights the Green Monsters, Roneet and the Fairy Princess Who Helped Conquer Her Fears of the Green Monsters, Michael and the Birthday Party and What’s the Scoop on Poop. The books are designed to help children between four and eight years old change their eating habits. Today she is sharing her story of why she wrote the books. We would like to thank her for guest blogging for us!

Many of my patients were eating mostly processed foods high in sugar and limiting the food they did eat to mostly carbohydrates that allowed them to gain weight but were lacking in essential nutrients that would keep them healthy. Their parents were misinformed about what was included in a healthy meal. I found that many of my patients either had food allergies or where sensitive to many types of foods that caused them to have chronic illnesses like ear infections, congestion, eczema, constipation, etc. that interfered with their communication and feeding and swallowing skills. When I looked at what they were eating, it became clear that there was a big problem and helping them advance textures and varieties of solid foods and keeping them healthy could be changed very easily through educating them about healthy foods. If parents only knew that what they were feeding their children were empty calories and actually causing most of the common ailments their children were suffering, maybe they would look at things differently and offer them a better selection of foods at their meals.

I searched high and low for picture books for the 3-8+ age group and didn't find anything that would work. So, I decided to make up a story of my own with the help of a pediatric gastroenterologist and nutrition counselor that would teach both children and their parents about healthy eating. The books have been a lifesaver in therapy and have helped my patients and their parents learn what is involved in eating a healthy meal and why it is important not to eat too much "Sad Sugar and the Nasty Family Foods" because they can make people sick! The books start off the therapy process on the right foot and allow me to work on healthy foods right from the start. Children and parents have to learn why this is important and once they learn the facts, they try harder to like Molly Mellon's fruits, Mr. Green Bean's vegetables, Pat Protein's, Goody Grain's and Frieda Fat's foods.

Right now, we are also working on completing The Green Monster Game that will go with the Roneet and Ryan books and The Green Monster Healthy Recipe Book to help busy parents prepare meals for special diets with easy, fast and healthy recipes so they are not so overwhelmed when the doctor says their child has to go on a dairy and/or gluten free diet.

- Dianne Lazer, MA, CCC-SLP/COM, Lic.

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month^®? No joke! This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Get Your Plate in Shape.”


What is National Nutrition Month?

National Nutrition Month is a chance for Americans to set goals for healthy eating and ultimately develop positive habits for life. These healthy eating habits, along with regular physical activity, go a long way to reduce the risk of preventable diseases and illnesses and promote general wellness. Dietitians and other public health professionals often see March as the perfect time to host educational events and community activities that focus on healthy eating. Activities often support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, hence this year’s “Get Your Plate in Shape” theme, which supports the new MyPlate messages for healthy eating.


How can Neocate kids celebrate?

What does it mean for a child who’s on Neocate to get his or her plate in shape? Well, it really depends. For a child who is getting all of his or her nutrition from a Neocate formula, there’s nothing else to do! That’s because Neocate formulas are nutritionally complete, providing all of the essential nutrition that growing children need to be healthy. To celebrate National Nutrition Month with an all-Neocate diet, you might choose to focus on physical activity instead, since it’s such a key part of good health, along with nutrition. You could also talk about how Neocate contains all of the great vitamins and minerals that would ordinarily come from the major food groups.

For children who use Neocate in combination with other foods, you can work toward trying to meet some of the goals within each of the food groups that your child tolerates. For instance, look for foods, recipes, and dishes whose main ingredients are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. You could focus on foods from a different food group each week this month!

What will you do to celebrate National Nutrition Month?

- Rob

[Image: http://www.athensisd.net/]

Not only is March National Nutrition Month, but Wednesday, March 14^th is Registered Dietitian Day in the United States! (Wednesday, March 21^st is National Dietitians Day in Canada.) You’d almost think they planned it that way.


What do Registered Dietitians need a “Day?”

Registered Dietitian Day, or RD Day, is a chance to recognize RDs for the hard work they do throughout the year as food and nutrition experts. Many Neocate families have worked closely with a dietitian because of their little one’s medical conditions, so they may realize more than others how important dietitians are. Many RDs put in long hours doing difficult work to help others lead healthier lives. The majority of dietitians work in hospitals, clinics, or in the community. Having a day to thank them just makes sense! We at Nutricia are especially thankful for RDs. Our products are practically in a field of their own - specialized medical nutrition – and require the help of RDs. We also employ quite a lot of RDs, since they have such specialized medical nutrition knowledge.


How can we celebrate?

The best thing to do on RD day is to thank your RD! If you’re looking to do something more, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has some suggestions, such as a handwritten note or flowers. Maybe you have a family friend who is an RD? Take a few minutes to write them an email thanking them for their hard work. If your family has worked with an RD, this is the perfect time of year to thank them for all of their help. And, of course, if you can’t thank them on actual RD Day, just thank them the next time you see them!

Is there an RD you’ll thank who has been particularly helpful to your family?

- Rob

[Image: http://www.eatright.org/NNM/content.aspx?id=5189]