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Picky Eating Help

My Top 5 Tips to Make Meal Times Easier!

My Top 5 Tips to Make Meal Times Easier!

November 27, 2011 // Leave a Comment

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Ok, so I don’t know about you, but grocery shopp

Ok, so I don’t know about you, but grocery shopping has become quite an expensive activity around here and… that can feel stressful! Food prices are on the rise and are expected to increase by 5-7% in 2023. Ugh 😣

But you know what one of my saving graces is? Potatoes! 🥔 🙌🏻

And for that reason, I’ve partnered with @canadasfoodisland to share the PEI potato love 💕

The Dietitian in me loves that this often underrated starchy vegetable is actually jam-packed full of nutrition, containing nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and folate.

In Canada, most of our potatoes come from Prince Edward Island, and thanks to their iron-rich soil, their potatoes some of the highest quality in the world. Canada’s Food Island (PEI) farmers have been growing potatoes for over 200 years (and they are world-renowned for their high quality) 👩‍🌾

The busy mom in me loves how budget-friendly and versatile potatoes are too 😉

One of our favourite dinners is the Baked Potato taco Bar! So when your kids get home from school, they can decorate their own potato with their favourite toppings, like lettuce, shredded chicken, salsa, guacamole, bacon and sour cream. Yum 🤤

Fun for them, super easy for me and economical too! I think that’s a triple win ;) 💃

To grab this recipe and learn more about the humble potato (nutritious, delicious AND affordable!) visit the Canada’s Food Island website: https://canadasfoodisland.ca/recipe/diy-baked-potato-taco-bar/

#CanadasFoodIsland #PEIPotatoes #madetoenjoy

First of all, give yourself a pat on the back for

First of all, give yourself a pat on the back for taking direct pressure off of your child at the dinner table if you have done so. That’s a big deal and you should be proud of yourself for that… cause it’s HARD.

Now I’m going to stir things up a bit and take it one step further 😬

When you go into a meal — whether you use direct pressure or not — with an agenda of “getting your child to eat”, they WILL feel pressure. Also, if you go in feeling stressed or anxious, your kids will soak those emotions up and begin to feel stress as well. You know what stress does in kids? Suppresses they’re appetite. 😐 This is hard work and takes time, self-compassion and patience. Awareness is the first step.

If you want to give further, please read this amazing blog post by @responsivefeedingpro —> https://responsivefeedingpro.com/we-tried-not-persuading-him-to-eat-and-it-didnt-work/ because it’s brilliant 😘

Want to come grocery shopping with me?! 🛒🙌🏻

As a dietitian mom, I’m both health-conscious but realistic too. This obviously wasn’t a full haul (I would usually buy a lot more whole/fresh fruits/veggies, some meat and likely more whole grains, but this will give you a good idea of what tend tend to always have on hand 😉

- Rolled Oats: love these for breakfast and use them in baking and smoothies
- eggs (they happen everyday)
- lentils (a staple—often use in baking or to bulk up meat dishes)
- @yourtaylorfarms salad mixes (lifesavers)
- canned tuna (easy protein and omega-3 for my lunches)
- frozen spinach + mango (smoothies and my daughter also loves mango chunks as a snack)
- popcorn (our fave snack — very high fibre too!)
- cheese strings (yep, it’s real cheese)
- @bobsredmill coconut flour (use in baking and for protein/energy bites)
- @manitobaharvest hemp hearts (throw these gems into everything, esp. smoothies)
- Sunbutter (for school-safe option)
- peanut butter (just, yum)
- @madegoodfoods bars — great for school lunches
- @madewithlocal bars (my fave)
- no-sugar-added fruit bars/sauces (kids loves these in their lunches)
- mini wheats cereal (lower sugar, higher fibre option that my kids like)
- @earthsown oat milk (my fave base for smoothies and oatmeal)
- bananas (we add to breakfast, in baking, in smoothies)
- tomato sauce (for pasta, base of pizzas etc)
- potatoes (one of our favourite starch options - rich in potassium, vit. C + fibre)

This reel is not sponsored - I just really love these brands and products!

Do you buy any of these? 👇🏻

Have you ever wondered about organic vs. Non-organ

Have you ever wondered about organic vs. Non-organic or the safety of pesticides or GMOs? What about the Dirty Dozen?? 🤯

Ian Affleck, VP of Biotechnology at CropLife Canada breaks this very complex science down for us in a really understanding non-intimidating way 🙌🏻

We cover:

- organic vs. conventional - is there a difference nutritionally?
- pesticides - are they harmful for us and our kids? How are the monitored/regulated for safety?
-What about glyphosate?
- What exactly are GMOs and what is gene editing? Are they safe for us? Why do we have this type of plant-science?
-And more!

Here’s more information too: https://www.sarahremmer.com/what-parents-need-to-know-about-pesticides-and-gmos-for-kids/

#plantscience #mythbusters #canadianfarmers #croplifecanada

Do you wonder whether you should buy organic (vs.

Do you wonder whether you should buy organic (vs. non-organic) foods for your family? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤯

I’m a dietitian mom, and I’m going to give it to you straight 😉

The truth is, the term “organic” isn’t a health claim. Organic is a method of farming, and doesn’t automatically mean that a food is “healthier”.

Organic also doesn’t mean “pesticide free”. Organic growers, like conventional growers, need to protect their crops, and have access to a range of approved pesticides. In fact, we have one of the most stringent regulatory systems in the world for pesticides 🌱

When comparing organic to non-organic foods, the nutrient content is largely the same. All farmers have the same end-goal: to grow or raise the best quality food. Both conventional and organic farmers have to follow strict government regulations and standards here in Canada for the products they use to grow their food 🌾

Now, some people think that organic produce tastes better than conventional, and if that’s the case for you, and you have access to and can afford organic produce, that’s totally a personal choice 🍎

And that’s really what it comes down to – personal choice. With food prices on the rise,people are feeling their grocery bills more than ever. . . So my advice? Choose foods that are both nutritious AND accessible and realistic for you and your family.

#cdnagriculture #plantscience #croplifecanada #canadianfarmers #nutritionforkids #dietitianapproved #mythbusting

The truth is, those “2 more bites” that you’

The truth is, those “2 more bites” that you’re so used to asking your child to eat, might be perpetuating issues instead of resolving them 😬

It might be worth reflecting on what those 2 more bites are about—what they mean to you. Because it’s impossible for you to know how many bites your child needs at any given time (only they know). And when you try to guess, you can inadvertently send messages such as “you can’t trust your body”, or “you need to eat past comfort to please us”.

Remember that it’s not your job to get your child to eat or decide how much they need — that’s totally up to them.

Focus on your jobs of deciding what, when and where food happens in your home, and most importantly creating a pressure-free, positive eating environment 😉

Link to learn more: https://www.sarahremmer.com/ultimate-guide-to-picky-eating/

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