There are many signs that can let you know if your child is malnourished or nutrient deficient. Some common signs include being over or underweight. A child can be eating vegetables but lack a good source of protein that is required to give the body proper nutrition for growing. When children eat foods that do not provide proper nutrition, their bodies will still have a feeling of being hungry. As a result, the child will continue to eat foods, causing them to gain weight. To help prevent this, teaching your child to eat a healthy well-balanced diet that provides them with the correct amount of nutrition will help maintain them from becoming obese.
If your child displays signs of fatigue or inability to focus (forgetfulness), you should look into their diet. Studies have shown that children who display these types of behaviors need to eat more iron-rich foods such as seeds, nuts, legumes, dry fruits, and meats.
The children I have worked with have an underlying concern with digestion. They usually have constipation and require treatments from adding prune juice to the child's milk to having to go get medications to help move things along. Children tend to drink milk but too much milk can cause a child to become constipated. Food to improve constipation includes adding fresh fruits such as making veggies and smoothies to help your child digest the nutrients.
If you practice good dental hygiene and you notice your child has dental concerns, that is a sign that your child is not receiving proper nutrition and should be seen by a Pediatric Dentist and Pediatrician. This way they can make a plan as to what your child should be eating and which foods they should be avoiding.
Dry skin can be a result of your child not being hydrated or they are not receiving proper nutrition. If you make sure your child receives sufficient amounts of fluid to drink, and no amount of lotion is soothing them, that can be a sign of poor nutrition. Speak to your child's Pediatrician regarding skin dryness.
If you have made changes to your child's diet and still do not see any improvements make an appointment with your child's Pediatrician. Show them the changes you have implemented and discuss a plan. Your doctor might suggest vitamins, or supplements to assist your child. It is very important that your child receives proper nutrition as it helps prevent long-term health concerns as well as develop proper healthy habits early on.
You are not alone in this. Millions of parents are feeling the frustration of having a child who is a “picky” eater or a ”fussy” eater. I share a ton of free resources here on my blog to help parents find solutions for many of these problems. Follow along!