Friday, June 10, 2011

Potty Training Awareness Month
Preventing Constipation


June is Potty Training Awareness Month. Constipation in children is a common problem when potty training. Constipation is often characterized by infrequent bowel movements or hard, dry stools.

Causes of Constipation in Children

Toilet Training and Withholding. Your child may ignore the urge to have a bowel movement because of fear of the toilet or they don’t want to take a play break. Some children withhold when they are away from home because they are embarrassed to use a public bathroom. Withholding bowel movements sometimes results in a large painful mass of stool in the rectum called a fecal impaction. If it hurts to have a bowel movement, your child may try to avoid a repeat of the uncomfortable situation. If you begin toilet training too early, children may hold in there stools, which can quickly become an involuntary habit that's tough to break.

Dietary Changes. Lack of fruits and vegetables or fluid in your child's diet may cause constipation. For some children, too much milk and not enough water can lead to constipation.

Medication or Disease. Certain antacids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and various other drugs can contribute to constipation. Changes in your child's appetite or diet due to illness may have the same effect.

Emotional Pressure to use the toilet or to give up diapers.


Symptoms of constipation in children
*Fewer bowel movements than usual.
*The child is fidgeting, clenching buttocks muscles or other unusual dancelike behaviors.
*Experiencing Abdominal pain and cramping.
*Painful or difficult bowel movements.
*Hard, dry, or large stools.
*Feces in the child’s underwear.


Prevention of constipation in children

*Offer high-fiber foods. Include: Fruits and Vegetables; Beans and Lentils; Bran sprinkled on cereals or yogurt; Whole grain bread and cereal; Dried or soft fruit added to muffins or cereal; Fruit spread

If your child does not like vegetables, serve them hidden in casseroles, pastas or puree in soups. Ask your child to help out when preparing meals. Children are more willing to eat their food if they play a role in making their own meals.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following amounts of fiber needed per age and gender. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th ed. Elk Grove Village (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009
Age/Gender            Fiber (grams)
2 - 3 years                      19
4 – 8 years                      25
9 – 11 years (female)        26
9 – 11 years (male)          31

*Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best choice.
*Establish regular meal and snack times
*Promote physical activity. Regular physical activity helps stimulate normal bowel function.
*Create a toilet schedule. Set aside time after meals for your child to use the toilet.
*Remind your child to use the bathroom.
*Ask your doctor if your child is taking any medication that may cause constipation.

Treatment of Constipation in Children
*Follow the prevention instructions.
*Consult with the pediatrician or family doctor before using over-the-counter suppositories or laxatives.
*Contact the doctor if four or five days have passed without a bowel movement, or if constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting or fever.
*Consult a dietitian who can help create an appropriate food plan high in fiber.

Resouces
Foods to Boost Your Child’s Fiber, Nourish Interactive (pdf)
American Academy of Pediatrics
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders



This young child describes his concerns about Potty Training 

 Potty Training Tips from Parents TV - For Mom
 


Elmo and his Father show How
Potty Time Can Be Fun: Sesame Street
 
 


Get in the Groove! Pull-Ups® Training Pants presents,
"The Potty Dance"! 
 

















The information presented here does not constitute medical advice for any individual. Specific cases may vary. Dietitians-Online and Weighing-Success recommends readers consult a qualified health professional on an individual basis. All materials are provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.


Thursday, June 9, 2011

Dietitians are Talking About Dairy



Ellie Krieger on The Set of Her Milk Mustache Ad
Ellie Krieger, registered dietitian and host of Food Networks Healthy
Appetite discusses the health benefits of Vitamin D during her
Milk Moustache ad shoot.

On January 11, 2011 Elisa Zied, registered dietitian
appearred on Good Morning America in the
"Pour One More" campaign. Elisa is part of the Milk Street Team
whose goal is to give one million free milk samples across the USA.





How to "Milk" Your Diet
Elisa Zied gives tips from her book, Nutrition at Your Fingertips.


 Jill Jayne, MS, RD (Rockstar Nutritionist)
Performs with the New York Jets
in Support of Fuel Up to Play 60



Heart Smart® Grocery Store Tour - Milk
Darlene Zimmerman is the Heart Smart® Dietitian.
Join Darlene as she takes us to the milk and dairy aisle.

Got Milk? Spartan's got choices
Heather Leets, the dietitian for Family Fare and D&W
 walks Rachael (from eightWest) through
many milk choices aimed at meeting ones calcium needs,
but without worrying about lactose intolerance, allergies, or taste.


No Chocolate Milk?
Flavored milk could be a thing of the past as a
movement sweeps the nation's schools
.
Lori Mooney, RD, LD of the the Nationwide
Children's Hospital’s Center for Healthy
Weight and Nutrition says "Don't make milk the bad guy."

Articles

by Ellen Slotkin, RD, LDN , Contributing Writer

Angela Lemond, RD, CSP, LD Mommy Dietitian

Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD   Blog: The Dairy  Dish

Got milk? We're not talking about milk from cows. Are these dairy alternatives any healthier than traditional cow's milk? 
Rebecca Scritchfield, registered dietitian interviewed.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

June 5-11, 2011 National Headache Awareness Week

by Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

Elaine Magee lists Ten Food Steps to Free yourself from headaches. Some tell you what to avoid and others tell you what may help.
•Keep a headache and diet diary.
•Avoid skipping meals. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're comfortable.
•Limit caffeine to a moderate and consistent amount daily or eliminate it completely.
•Avoid eating a high-fat diet.
•Switch to plant and fish sources of omega-3s when possible.
•Find out if NutraSweet is not so sweet for your headaches.
•Limit tyramine-containing foods if you appear to be sensitive to it. (Link to a Low Tyramine Headache Diet (PDF) from the National Headache Foundation
•Avoid certain additives if sensitive (MSG, nitrate/nitrite).
•Beware of certain dehydrating beverages - those containing alcohol and caffeine. Stay hydrated as much as possible.
•Work a couple of magnesium-rich foods into your day if you have hormonal headaches. Examples of magnesium-rich foods: Almonds, whole-grain bagel , barley, black beans, black-eyed peas, bran cereal with raisins, Brazil nuts, 100% whole-grain bread, brown rice, bulgur, cashews, and Wheat Chex

Food Tips For Migraines
Registered Dietitian Kerri Glassman explains to
Julie Chen which foods hurt or help migraine headaches.
 


Foods Can Affect Headache Frequency
Teresa Beach, a registered dietitian talks about foods that may trigger headaches. Beach states, "The best thing to do is keep a headache journal. On the days you get a migraine, try to think of every single thing you ate to see if there is a connection.




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