Episode 10: Just Say No to the Kids Menu: Interview with Maryanne Tranter

Respectful ParentingInfantParental Mental HealthSelf-CareToddler

May 12

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This week I interviewed Maryanne Tranter with The Healthy Child Concierge! In today’s episode Maryanne and I are going to provide strategies on how to get kids to eat healthy at home and on the go.

Maryanne Tranter, PhD, APN has 25 years of experience in pediatric primary and urgent care settings with families from multiple different cultures and backgrounds in an elite hospital in the country. She specializes in caring for infants and children and is the creator of The Healthy Child Concierge. Maryanne’s mission is to walk parents from panic to peace by providing current research and accurate information to empower parents to raise a healthy child.

The best way to get kids to eat healthy is to model healthy eating habits!!!

Introducing solids to babies
- Breastfeeding and formula recommendations
  - AAP and WHO recommendation is to exclusively breastfeed baby until they are 6 months old
- Signals that baby is ready for solids
  - Holding their head steady while sitting up
  - Double birth weight
  - Eyeing and reaching for food
  - Tongue-thrust reflex disappears
- Introduce high-allergen foods before babies are 12 months old
  - Introduce new foods one at a time every 3-5 days
You can make your own baby food!
- You do not need to feed your kids store-bought purees
- It is easy and not very time consuming to make purees out of food that you are already making for the rest of the family for dinner
- Make large batches of purees and freeze them in 1-2oz portions
  - Silicone baby food tray
Getting your child to eat
- Offer repeatedly; 5-15 times
- Do not pressure, gentle encouragement is best
- Model behavior
- Make mealtime a time of attention
Some children struggle with texture
- Hire a feeding specialist if needed
- Check for a tongue-tie as well if there are eating issues
A great place to read how much and what types of food to feed your kids is: Myplate.gov
- Whole foods are best/the less processed the better!
- Kids do not need anything added to their food!
- Keep in mind that kids’ portions are really small!
Eating at restaurants
- The options on the kid menu have very few nutrients
- Right now while we are at home, let’s practice eating at the table with kids to stretch their patience
- Restaurant strategy
  - Share portions with kids
    - Order from side menu
  - Bring steamed veggies from home to eat while they wait for their food
    - Don’t give bread
    - Don’t let them get too hungry that they are melting down
  - Distract with crayons, books, or a screen as a last-ditch effort