Dr. Carole Keim talks all about picky eaters in this episode. Is it normal when your toddler reaches a point of only eating five beige foods? Yes. Dr. Keim covers this and everything to do with development, child nutrition, tempting picky eaters, and when to see a doctor about food concerns.

Dr. Keim also addresses why the old food pyramid is out of date and explains the actual nutrients your child needs and which foods they appear in. She shares why eating an actual apple is healthier than processed apple sauce, why processed foods aren’t good for kids, and how to keep kids interested in trying new things. Toddler palates and pickiness are de-mystified in this episode. 

In this episode:

• Normal development
• Macronutrients
• Micronutrients
• Food pyramid
• Green/yellow/red light foods
• Talking with children about nutrition 
• Tips for new foods 
• When to see the doctor 

Normal development 00:25

• 0-6 mos: only eat one thing 
• 6-12 mos: they only eat what you give them, simple palate (1-3 ingredients, no spices)
• 12-24 mos: tend to be great eaters and willing to try most things 
• Around age 2-3 they go through a phase of eating 5 foods
• Eating pattern: eat one meal, pick at one meal, skip one meal
• Most outgrow this within a year

Macronutrients 03:03

• Carbohydrates
• Protein / complete proteins (9 essential AAs)
• Fat

Micronutrients 07:12

• vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K
• Iron and other minerals
• Omegas 
• Probiotics and prebiotics 
• Fruits and veggies 

Food pyramid 11:20

• outdated; developed in 1992 
• became my plate in 2011 
• 2020 guidelines focus on limiting processed foods, increasing nutrient-dense foods, and limiting added sugar to <10% of daily calories, Saturated fat to <10%, sodium to less than 2.3g, and alcohol to 2/day for men and 1/day for women

Green/yellow/red light foods 13:55

• another way to think about it; easy for kids to understand
• Still puts food into the “good vs. bad” spectrum 

Talking about nutrition with young children 16:49

• Focus on benefits - fiber, vitamins, nutrients, keeps you full, fuels your body, helps you grow strong, etc.
• Talk about flavors and textures - fresh fruit and veggies often crunch
• Eat the rainbow; color = vitamins/nutrients
• Put all food on the plate at the same time (including treats)
• Don’t use dessert as a reward, or other 
• Avoid the “clean plate club” - puts a lot of stress on children.  Can let children serve themselves or tell you how much they want.  

Tips for trying new foods 21:03 

• Eat together as a family
• You provide the food, they decide whether to eat it
• No pressure to taste new foods
• Keep offering 
• Offer a variety
• Make it look fun / fun utensils
• Let kids help with shopping and meal planning
• Let kids help prep food
• Once your child likes a new food, offer similar foods
• Pair new foods with preferred foods
• Use “we” statements 

When to see the doctor 24:55

• Poor weight gain or weight loss 
• Lack of variety longer than 1 year 
• Avoidance of certain textures
• Gagging or vomiting after eating
• Stomachaches associated with food 
• Chronic abnormal poops 

This guide will help you navigate nutrition for your toddler, letting you know what’s normal pickiness and when to worry. For additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers, follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels. Her book, “The Baby Manual”, covers the first year of baby life and is the subject of Season One of this podcast. Remember it is always okay to call your doctor or emergency services if you have concerns about your child’s health.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Baby Manual - Available on Amazon

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Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram