Toddler Bistro

he Baby Bistro and Toddler Bistro books represent my passion and commitment to putting important information about feeding infants and toddlers into the hands of parents and caregivers. Of course you cannot be the perfect parent and know everything, but hopefully these books will empower you with the knowledge you’ll need to build a healthful foundation for your growing family that lasts a lifetime.

How to embrace the healthy bounty of fall foods with your family!

November is the month that ushers in our country’s favorite day of food festivities. We celebrate family traditions that reach back generations and recall special memories from our childhood Thanksgivings. As a nutritionist, I am thankful for the bounty of healthy foods the fall season brings and the opportunity to share how they can be

Excerpts from The Toddler Bistro

” ‘My baby used to love eating vegetables and now he won’t touch them!’ Yes, for some parents of toddlers those honeymoon days, when their sweet babies smile and happily swallow whatever baby food is waved in front of them, are now over. Toddlers will demand any food at the store that is brightly packaged with toys inside, whether or not it’s good for them. Some toddlers actually eat their fruits and vegetables enthusiastically while parents of less complaisant eaters stand by in amazement. What’s going on?”
“As a nutritionist, my worst fear is that parents learn too late about such things as giving their allergy-prone child peanut butter. With access to the correct information, these potential disasters could easily be avoided. I receive many questions from parents about which foods are allergenic or what types of fish are safe to serve to their family.”
“Now that your toddler has graduated to a sippy cup, what can you put in it? Some parents think that whatever traditional concoction they sipped as toddlers needs to be passed along to their children, but this is not always the case. Here’s how to make sure your beverage menu is aboveboard.”
“If only they just killed bugs. Unfortunately, pesticides may also block toddlers’ ability to absorb nutrients from foods, which interferes with normal weight gain and brain development. Pesticides have also been shown to decrease the normal vitamin and mineral content of some fruits and vegetables. “
“One to three years old is a fun stage when you get to introduce many new foods. Whether you plan to cook every meal at home or purchase foods at the store, your goal should be to put the baby food away and start offering your toddler kid-friendly versions of foods from the family meal.”
“Dinner is an important meal for toddlers, not only to expose them to more nutritious foods but to provide the opportunity to sit down together as a family. Even if your toddlers typically only eat about a quarter of the food on their plate, they still benefit from this time to interact and feel a part of the family dinner dynamic.”
“How do I know if my toddler is getting enough iron? Should I try to limit the amount of carbs he eats? My son won’t drink milk, so what are some other good sources of calcium? Whether your nutrition knowledge brain fog is temporary or full time, these are common questions that I’ve addressed in this section (A La Carte), starting with big nutrient groups and then diving into the small ones. “
“As a nutritionist, I always preach getting the bulk of nutrients from the actual food rather than using nutritional supplements as an excuse to eat candy and French fries. So, what about for your toddler? Is a multivitamin necessary?”