If you have a child who is a picky eater it’s likely that you’ve already tried every trick in the book and found that nothing works.  Family and friends will ask you if you have “tried cutting the sandwiches into fun shapes”, have you “tried making sure nothing is touching anything else on the plate”, have you tried “sneaking vegetables into the pasta sauce”, have you tried “telling them there’s nothing else and letting them go hungry?” (Eek!) How about if I tell you that picky eating often isn’t actually about the food?  Typical picky eating is a combination of our mistaken expec ..read more

Baby led weaning muffins are perfect finger foods made with a variety of fillings and baked in a muffin tin. They can be highly nutritious, easy for babies to pick up and eat independently and a useful way to introduce new flavours (or hide foods babies don’t like!) In this blog I’ll give you my top tips on how to make them, serve them and 35 fabulous combinations to try with your little one. Benefits of Homemade Muffins for BLW Muffins are a perfect early finger food for babies. Why? Their bite-sized nature is easy for tiny hands to grasp, and their soft texture ensures they are gentle on t ..read more

Picky eating is a common phase that children go through so in this blog here are 55 ‘dietitian approved’ healthy foods for picky eaters that ensure your child gets great nutrition no matter how fussy they are. Snacks and Quick Bites for fussy eaters Fruit Kabobs: Skewer pieces of strawberries, grapes, melon, and banana on a stick. Kids love the fun presentation! Make sure to chop any circular foods to protect against choking.  Serve this with a dip made of full fat greek yoghurt mixed with peanut butter. Yogurt Parfaits: Layer natural yoghurt with fresh berries and a sprinkle of cereal ..read more

Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in babies and young children affecting 2-3% of the population. But the symptoms of CMPA are sometimes missed or mistaken for ‘just an unsettled’ baby. In this blog I’ll take you through the symptoms of CMPA so that you know what to look for and also when to seek the support of a healthcare professional if you are unsure of what to do. What is Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) Cow’s milk naturally contains a variety of nutrients, including protein and when some babies consume it, their bodies react to these proteins triggering a ..read more

Most parents share the common goal of wanting their children to eat more vegetables for kids to ensure a balanced and healthy diet. I was interviewed for The Guardian newspaper who asked me for my 5 top tips to help kids eat veggies and my suggestions came as a bit of a surprise! They expected me to talk about making sauces packed full of blitzed up veggies, hiding veggies in mashed potato or stuffing veggies into bite size egg muffins…. but that’s not my style. Yes they get nutrients but no it doesn’t help them like more vegetables for kids. Let me explain why. Why do kids tend to disli ..read more

Toddler foods with fiber are needed in their diets. It helps them poop regularly avoiding both constipation and diarrhoea and it’s even good for their long term health and immunity. But children are children, they can be fussy with foods so in this blog I’ll give you my best suggestions for incorporating toddler foods with fiber into their diet or supplementing them if necessary. Importance of toddler foods with fiber Fiber for toddlers, is an important nutrient. It promotes gut health by supporting healthy digestion and encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (probiotics).  ..read more

“Is feeding therapy warranted for my child’s fussy eating?” is a question I’m often asked. Many parents come to me ‘tearing their hair out’ with frustration about their child’s fussy eating. They’ve scoured the internet, attended courses and workshops led by nutritionists or dietitians, read books and taken advice from friends… And found that none of the strategies work. And that’s because fussy eating or picky eating as it’s sometimes called is hugely misunderstood. Even by health professionals. Yes, all toddlers go through a picky phase, it’s part of their brain development and asserting ..read more

Gluten free dairy free snacks can be hard to come by, which can make life boring when the same foods are being offered on repeat.  Sometimes it’s just because parents have run out of ideas, other times it’s because your child knows what they like, and don’t want to try anything new, thank you very much! But offering the same gluten free dairy free snacks on repeat can actually result in fussy eating, or make fussy eating a whole lot worse! In this blog we’ve got 65 gluten free dairy free snack ideas for you to keep boredom at bay, and also some top tips to prevent monotony setting in i ..read more

Flax seeds for kids have recently gained popularity as a superfood yet they have been a staple in diets for centuries.  If you are a parent looking for nutritious options for your children, read on to fully understand the benefits of flaxseed. Flax seeds, also known as linseeds or alsi seeds, come in two main varieties: brown and golden. Both are packed with nutrients, making them an excellent addition to your child’s diet.  Ground flaxseed looks like a fine, nutty powder that can be easily mixed into various foods. Nutritional Benefits of Flax Seeds for kids Flax seeds, often con ..read more

Chickpeas are a cheap plant based protein and very healthy food for your baby to enjoy.  But coming up with ideas for chick peas baby can enjoy can stop you from being adventurous in the kitchen. In this blog you’ll find 20 different recipes for you to try, all suitable for weaning babies, and quite tasty for parents too! Enjoy! This blog contains affiliate links Nutritional Benefits of Chickpeas Chickpeas, sometimes called garbanzo beans belong to the legume family which also includes beans, peas and lentils.  They contain a whole host of nutrients that benefit the whole family in ..read more