Introducing solid foods to your baby marks an exciting milestone. Instead of sticking to plain flavors, why not explore the vibrant world of spices and herbs for babies? Babies’ taste buds are highly receptive, and exposing them to a variety of foods and flavors can... The post Spices and Herbs for Babies appeared first on First Step Nutrition ..read more

Curious if your baby is ready to eat zucchini? Get expert tips from a dietitian about how to serve zucchini during baby-led weaning! Zucchini is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be a great addition to your baby’s diet during baby-led weaning (BLW). Whether... The post How to Prepare Zucchini for Baby-Led Weaning appeared first on First Step Nutrition ..read more

Curious if your baby is ready to eat pears? Get expert tips from a dietitian about how to serve pears during baby-led weaning! Introducing solid foods to your baby is an exciting milestone, and baby-led weaning (BLW) can be a fantastic way to encourage independence... The post How to Prepare Pears for Baby-Led Weaning appeared first on First Step Nutrition ..read more

Worried that your kiddo isn’t getting enough protein? In this blog, a dietitian shares her top high protein foods for picky eaters. This post is sponsored by Naked Nutrition. All thoughts an opinions are my own. Are you worried that your carb-loving child doesn’t get enough protein? Join the club! As a pediatric dietitian, I often get questions about high protein foods for picky eaters. And as a mom of three, I understand the concern that your picky eater might not meet their nutrient needs.  In this blog, I’ll discuss how much protein your child needs and the protein-rich food sources th ..read more

If you have an autistic child, you’re probably familiar with eating challenges and food aversion. There are many reasons why autistic children struggle with trying new foods. Maybe you’ve been attempting food play, the division of responsibility or rewards – with zero luck. I’m here to help! From the perspective of a dietitian, in this blog, I’ll share why children with autism are picky eaters, nutrients of concern, supplements, and diets to consider. I’ll also share eight tips to help your child learn to try new foods. What is Food Aversion? Food Aversion is when a specific food repulses you ..read more

Are you breastfeeding and wondering if your shakes are still safe? Our dietitian shares options for the best protein powder while breastfeeding. This post contains Amazon affiliate links to some of my favourite products. I remember that constant knawing hunger of being a breastfeeding mom. As a dietitian, I know that postpartum is a necessary time to refuel your nutrient stores and support your baby’s growth with your milk. But as a mom of three, I also remember the new-mom fog and fatigue. It’s not always easy to fuel yourself with enough nutritious food during this challenging time. It can b ..read more

This is a guest post from Beatrice, who is a RDN, CHWC, CPT, & PCES and owner of Bea Well Nutrition where she specializes in Women’s Health, Mindful Eating and Eating Disorders. She is a mom of 4 who loves to run and be active with her kids. I recently watched an Instagram reel where a mom was trying to pour water into “her” cup (an analogy for filling her needs). But she was utterly failing because her cup had holes in it! So her water leaked into everyone else’s cup, and her cup was always empty. The caption read: “We are trying, but like, it’s hard!” Sound familiar?! It’s true – it’s no ..read more

Are you raising plant-based kids? That’s great! Plant foods are rich in vitamins and minerals and high in fibre. There are lots of health benefits to this eating style. But it is important that you focus on certain nutrients for plant-based (especially vegan) kiddos, including Vitamin B12, iron, calcium and omega-3. Fellow dietitian Sarah shares how to ensure your kids get enough essential nutrients here. Read on if you’re looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet or are fully plant-based. This blog is a recipe roundup of 24 breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack recipes from dietitians ..read more

This is a guest post from Sarah Whipkey, RD at The Plant Potential. She is raising her two and four-year-old children on a plant-based diet! It seems that plant-based everything is gaining popularity today. And largely for good reason. Following a plant-based lifestyle can have numerous benefits for human, animal, and environmental health. While your particular reasons for being interested in following a plant-based diet may vary, my practice focuses on the health effects. Parents often ask me if it’s safe and healthy to raise fully plant-based kids – and how. The short answer: yes, they can ..read more

This is a guest post from Terri Finblow, RD. Terri focuses on nutrition for mental health at www.dailygrindnutrition.com Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of development that help build the foundation for good physical and mental health throughout the lifespan. Yet, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, 70 percent of those with a mental illness see the onset of their symptoms before age 18. Mental illness affects approximately 1.2 million Canadian children and youth and by the age of 25. Promotion, prevention, and early intervention initiatives show positive outcome ..read more