Can a child still thrive?

Question

Is it likely that a child that consumes no fruit or vegetables will grow up to be a healthy and strong? I have a child in my daycare who refuses to eat any fruit or vegetables. When I explained this to the child's mother, she said she (the mother) doesn't like fruit or vegatables either so she doesn't make her child eat ANY!!! ("except fries cause she likes 'em"). She believes that a childrens vitamin supplement (Flintstone's) is adequate. Anybody know?? A source would be good.

I sneek in anything and everything...if she recognizes it, she won't eat it I even told her that tomato soup doesn't have any tomatoes in it, it's just ketchup!! she likes (not loves) it.

Answer 1

A vitamin supplement is just that, a supplement to be taken with a normal diet not one that lacks major food groups.

No, the child will not grow and thrive properly. A couple of my family members did something similar to their kids. They would not eat fruits for vegitables so neither would their kids. They fed the oldest, when she was a baby and toddler, lots of french fries(skip the chicken nuggets, go for the fries!) and cereal. She was given milk before the age of one because they couldn't "afford" formula. Many times she was just given milk for dinner if they were out someplace. Needless to say this child did not grow properly she was tiny, her coloring was off and she looked fragile, like she could break if you looked at her wrong.

Due to some family difficulties the mother and father gave her to an Aunt and Uncle to become guardians. This happened two years ago when the girl was 5. The first few months were tricky getting her to eat veggies and fruits. The more she ate the better she began to look and the better she began to feel. She grew FIVE inches the first year and has grew another TWO or THREE inches the second year. She now looks like a healthy 7 year old, she has color in her face and meat on her bones. Best of all she will eat fruit and veggies now. She will even try new ones, too.

I don't have a formal source, just real life. A nutritionist or dietitian would be able to help better and maybe give you some ideas on how to approach this with the childs parent.

Answer 2

My son won't eat vegetables and, for a while, would only eat bananas and apples for fruit. He wouldn't eat anything with color, or any meat. When I spoke with my pediatrician about it, he said that nutritionally, the vitamin content in fruits and vegetables can be replaced with a good multivitamin; parents just have to make sure that their child is getting adequate fiber from whole-grain breads and cereals (he was eating a lot of whole wheat bread and oatmeal, lol) and protein from peanut butter and eggs, as well. Eventually, he grew out of it but we're still dealing with meat and vegetable issues.

It is sad that the mother is deliberately limiting her child's diet this way, and it's great how you've stepped in. However, children thrive on much less in other, poorer countries.

Answer 3

NO NO NO. Eating FRESH fruit and veggies is the best way to get any vitamins or minerals. Why not bring in some V8 splash or get all the kids together to make "smoothies" with fresh and frozen fruit and veggies? The mother of that child should be hung by her toes! French fries have as much nutritional value as pop tarts. Try typing in "5 a day the healthy way" into yahoo.com. You will find lots of info there!! Good luck with that crazy lady..

Answer 4

I know this is frustrating for you and me as well. But you have to understand that the human body won't just shut down without some apparant warning first.

If it does affect the child, you will notice a difference in activity and behavior. Sometimes even becoming sick. Hopefully his/her parent will be questioned by the doctor about diet and nutrition and what could be causing these things. At that point hopefully she will take the medical advise given to her.

Other than that, people don't usually like to listen to someone that tells them what they should or shouldn't be doing especially if you've spoken to her about this before.

About the vitamins. Vitamins aren't usually absorbed as well with unhealthy food. It ususally takes vitamen enriched foods for the vitamens to fully absorb in the system.

Answer 5

Although she is not teaching her child proper eating habits she is giving the child vitamin supplements. She needs to feed the child veggies with iron in it to stave of anemia. Maybe you could incorporate sweet potato fries or sweet squash. Even tacos with lettuce and tomatoes would be good. At least you know he/she is getting veggies somewhere. Salsa is also good but prepare it fresh yourself. Introduce smoothies with fruit and a carrot in it. You could freeze the concoction and make freeze pops out of it. The child wouldn't even know.

Answer 6

I work at a daycare too. Supplements are good, but nothing like the real thing. try to make a game out of eating veggies.

Answer 7

try to hide it in her food then she eat it with out knowing then after she eats it tell her that it had frit or vegetables or make eatting frits and vegetables fun in a game like putting into grops then you eat a little bit of what she eatting but not form the same palte on your own if she see you eatting then ask her to show you what a big girl you are then she take a bit email me if you want more info at [e-mail]

Answer 8

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Answer 9

it is not teaching the child good eating habits

Answer 10

That is terribly sad. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it.