What's for dinner? A food and nutrition guide for parents
Infants and toddlers
Breast milk is the best food source for newborn babies. Some mothers have questions about whether to breastfeed or to formula feed their babies. The Obstetrics and Gynecology specialists of the Royal Victoria Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) can provide information to new mothers and help them make the best choice for their families. +
Is your "picky eater" eating enough?
A picky eater can be frustrating, but it also raises concerns for the parent about whether the child is getting enough daily nutrients. +
Have a look at these practical suggestions to make sure you’re helping your child develop good eating habits. +
Preventing diabetes
In Canada, fifteen out of every 100,000 children develop type 1 diabetes every year. What causes the disease is unknown, but research is ongoing to determine the cause and to find a cure. +
How to Help Your Kids Avoid Type 2 Diabetes
Until recently, type 2 diabetes was also known as adult-onset diabetes. Now, the adult-onset prefix has been dropped because so many children are developing the condition -- the metabolic disorder that results when the body can't make enough or properly use insulin, the hormone that helps convert food into energy the body can use. +
Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood
You may have heard the old adage: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It is sage advice when it comes to heart disease. By teaching your kids to follow a healthy lifestyle, you can help reduce their risk for heart disease later in life. +
Eating disorders
Preventing Childhood Obesity
Baby fat is something children are supposed to outgrow, not grow in to. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), one in five children in the United States is overweight or obese. That's twice as many overweight children as 20 years ago. Extra pounds and too-big waistlines have serious consequences for children, including self-esteem and social problems and increased risk for chronic diseases. +
Obesity, a worrisome problem
Obesity among childen is on the rise in North America. In this dossier you will find an audio interview with an MCH specialist, learn about the risks of overwight, find prevention tips and useful resources to fight this epidemy. +
Anorexia and Bulimia
Parents have an important role to play in the physical and psychological development of their child. It’s important to have information on eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. +
Understanding Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a disorder in which food intake gets out of control. Having this eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to your doctor or another person you trust. You may find it’s a relief just to tell someone. Your doctor can also suggest treatments that may help. +
More Thin Kids Say, 'I'm Fat'
They say they weigh too much, but they don't. +
Consume less salt to avoid gaining weight
A study done by researchers at St. George’s, University of London, found a relation between salt intake in children and weight gain. +
MCH offers a helping hand on that road to wellness. +
Useful tips
11 Ways to Raise a Healthy Child
As a parent, you are an important teacher of health care and health information for your child. Here are 11 recommendations to help you succeed at this important job. +
If you're trying to watch them at the same time you cook, they can be a real pain in the neck. But if you let them in on the fun, they can be a joy to behold. +
When Children Do the Brussel Sprout Pout
When it comes time to eat vegetables, do your children do the brussel sprout pout? +
Most children don't get enough fiber in their diets, and that should change. +
Whole Grains in the Teen Diet
Better health for your teen could be as close as your breadbox. The more whole grains teenagers eat, the leaner they are and the less likely they are to develop diabetes, a recent University of Minnesota study found. With obesity and diabetes rising among children, that's a slice of good news. +
What Kids Drink Is Important too
If your children fill up on high-calorie fruit drinks and soft drinks, they may skip food containing essential nutrients -- and pack on extra pounds. That's what one recent study concluded about kids who drink a lot of juice and turn out shorter or heavier than average. +
What's for dinner?
Still sticking to peanut butter sandwiches for school lunches? They're a brown bagger's favorite, but today's markets offer lots of new options. +
Healthy Lunchbox Ideas
Packing a lunch day after day is challenging. You want to make sure your child enjoys a variety of good foods, but you also don’t want the lunch tossed out, traded away, or brought back home. Here some delicious ideas. +
Solving Battles at Mealtime
Mealtimes with young, finicky eaters can be difficult. Pediatricians and children’s diet experts say there are easy and effective ways to get your kids to eat well other than playing the food enforcer at every meal. +
You know that you and your kids need to eat right. But with your busy schedule, it seems tough some days to make sure everyone has nutritious meals and snacks. Fast food is tempting, but the key is to incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle. Here are some timesaving tips for preparing nutritious meals for the whole family. +
Food for thought
Food for thought
The Montreal Children's Hospital helps teens wise up about healthy eating. +
Find Nutrients for Children in Food, Not Pills
You want to make sure your child gets the right vitamins and minerals. Although that may seem as simple as choosing a multivitamin off the shelf, it's not always true. +
Healthy eating habits are especially important during childhood. Children learning and growing at a rapid rate use up lots of energy, and their bodies need healthy foods to provide that energy. Most parents are concerned about how they can get their children to eat nutritious foods. Mealtime can become stressful for the whole family when children won't eat what parents think they should. +
Helping Grandchildren Make Healthy Meal Choices
"There's a special bond between grandparents and grandkids," says Sue Moores, a registered dietitian and ADA spokeswoman. "Children learn by watching, and grandparents are special role models. That means they can bring a healthy perspective about food to a child's world." +
How to Get Your Kids in Shape
Have you been neglecting your children's fitness? Experts recommend children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days to maintain good health and fitness and for healthy weight during growth. +
Eight tips for a good night's sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for both kids and parents. Here are eight tips that will help everyone in your family wake up relaxed and refreshed. +
Hiccups
People of all ages can experience hiccups anytime, anywhere. Most people in the throes of hiccups have no idea what triggered them, here are some facts about hiccups. +
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) in Children
Heartburns are no fun. Here is what to do if your child suffers from it. +
Children and Diarrhea
Diarrhea is common in infants and young children. Diarrhea in children most often clears up on its own and requires little or no treatment. A parent's job is to watch the child with diarrhea closely and to make sure that the child gets enough liquids and lots of tender loving care. +
Children and Vomiting
Vomiting in children is common and usually is not cause for concern if it occurs infrequently. It is important to give enough fluids and lots of tender loving care until your child's stomach settles down. +
