PediaSure-Yes Or No?

My daughter was put on it at an early age because she was a premie and needed something more than milk. It has definetly helped her with her nutrition. You may want to consult with a doctor before buying this expensive drink mix (for a 6 pack of these 8 oz bottles its almost $13.00) and before giving it to her because of the extra vitamins and such in it.

I'd suggest offering her only a variety of whole nutritious foods throughout the day and not making a big deal out of it (if there's any power struggle, back off). If she's eating junk food at all, that could spoil her appetite for good food. But if you only offer her good food, she will eventually eat it. Lots of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains etc. I personally wouldn't supplement unless she's showing signs of malnutrition.

The fruit smoothy is a great idea. My friend makes hers with peanut butter for protein and honey for sweetner, which has many health benefits. It's like a PBJ only with milk and ice and fruit blended into a milkshake. MMMMMMMmm

If she is underweight, sure. If not, it's not necessary. It's basically sugar, milk and vitamins. You'd probably be better off to give her a fruit smoothie (made with milk and real fruit - like frozen berries), and a vitamin/mineral supplement. Have her "help" with the grocery shopping and cooking; that might encourage her to also take a more active role in eating the food. Also, if you give her too many snacks, she may not be hungry for meals. It's good to let them get hungry for meals. If I want my kids to be good eaters in a restaurant for dinner (instead of just making a ruckus) I don't give them any snacks after lunch, then they are eager to sit down and eat. If she is eating healthy foods without added sugar, her blood glucose is not spiking and dropping all day, which is what often makes us feel hungry anyway. We sometimes have cravings when our bodies are deficient in certain nutrients, so if she doesn't have a big appetite she may just be getting what she needs. So many kids are overweight and addicted to sugar these days, I wouldn't worry about her. Kids tend to eat when they are hungry. She's a lot better off healthwise being on the thin side than on the heavy side. Also, it's best to not make a big deal of it, so she doesn't worry about food and her body image (it's amazing how young they can start worrying about that stuff). It sounds like you're doing a great job!

Pedia-sure is a very healthy supplement. If her body fat is too low, she would also benefit from added fat (milk fat, butter, oils, etc). You can still feed her her favorite meals, but with added fat. Fat is very important for her brain development.

It is more important that you teach her to expand her palate. If you cater too much to what she wants to eat, then you will raise a child that will only eat a few different things.

OMG Pedia Sure saved my life, well i guess it could be my sons, he got really sick and wouldn't eat anything, and pediasure saved the day. He wouldn't eat anything for a while after he was better too, but i used the pediasure to get him to try again, like take a bit of this and you can have your cocoamilk(that is what we call them) and it worked. I think as long as it is not for prolonged times (like ayear) without talking to your doctor it should be ok.

If you feel that she is not getting enough nutrients, then you should give it to her.

my son would not eat so woul dnot gain weight and pediasure or nutren jr is absolutely the way to go for health and adding calories!!

Yes, if she will drink it. My dd is 6 and has always been finicky. Not really what she will eat, but when. She gets headaches like me when she doesn't eat and with migraines running through the family, even in childhood, I was a little concerned. My husband started forcing her to drink choc. milk in the morning which didn't sit too well with the healthy eating I'd like to instill in my family, but she drank it for awhile, and the headaches dissipated, until she learned in Kindergarten that it wasn't healthy and she made sure to let Dad know it this morning. My Doctor's response......."Does she look like she's missing a meal?" Well no, but is it healthy? At this point all I can do is keep trying to encourage her to eat better. We have healthy dinners and she loves salad, so I just have to contend with the headaches by bringing healthy snacks when I pick her up from school. I hope this helps, as everyone keeps telling me that this too shall pass. I also make sure she takes a non-sugar vitamin that I got, at Whole Foods Store, at night before bed. It just eases my mind that she's getting some things she needs. Good luck, there are those that are right with you.

S.,
I used to be concerned about my children's diets too. I started buying the Nutripals because of the comercial promoting a healthy alternative snack. My kids each ate one of the snack bars and never ate any after that. My husband thought they tasted disgusting. To me they smelled like vitamins.
We also tried the chocolate drink which mixed well with our son's soy milk, but after a while he didn't like it anymore. Again, it smelled like vitamins.
My solution was to get a multivitamin. After about a year of that, our boys began to eat really good and no longer needed vitamins.
I still keep vitamins around just in case; although I don't give them to our boys. If they choose not to eat what I make, then I find something healthy that they will eat that is child appetizing.
Good luck.

Hi, I do not know about Pediasure as a method of supplementation. I would refer you to Dr. Christine Wood's books on getting your child to eat right. Her most well known book is called "How to Get Kids to Eat Great and Love It." I specialize in children's nutrition as a hobby, and would highly recommend that rather than pedialite, you consider a top grade supplement for children that can be chewed or ground up in applesauce or yogurt or something similar. This is what most specialists recommend. However, you must be very cautious about which children's supplements you choose because most are worthless and you are wasting your money. I would check at the library for Lyle MacWilliam's book, The Comparative Guide to Children's Nutritional Supplements" and you will see the story. The top vitamin listed with a score of 10 is by Usana Health Sciences "Usanimals." It is what Dr. Wood recommends. They are only sold through a distributor, and if you want to get them, you can get in touch with me and I can get them delivered directly to your house, or I can get them to you. The value of a supplement versus pedialite, is that your goal is to have your child eating real food and you can make smoothies with fruit and protein, etc. If you are interested in the vitamins, or a high quality protein shake mix, let me know. My name is Martha Greene. I live here in Portland. My e-mail address is ____@____.com luck!

Pediasure gives them electrolytes and sugar. What about juicing? You can make fresh juices - orange juice, fresh squeezed lemon juice that will give her a LOT more nutrition than pedialite. Plus it will have the enzymes that are not present in the juices you get off the grocery shelf - because it hasnt been pasturized.

Make sure you make creative snacks (you can even look online) that are nutritious such as pnut butter in celery sticks. I've served broccoli with ranch dressing and called them "trees". If she snacks, make sure it's with healthy foods, not things like chips, or "goldfish" crackers.

S., I also have a finicky 5 yr old. My doctor said Pedia sure was fine as long as it was only given in small amount. Of course trying to get the good food in was mandatory. But our doctor wasn't too worried. My daughter amazingly taste everything I make. She may not like and will nay many things, but try she will.

I started involving my daughter in the grocery shopping. She gets to suggest a menu for one or two nights meals. She helps make the list of only healthy foods(school has helped with this mind set). She is allowed one special treat which sometimes surprises me and is healthy. She goes shopping with me as long as she behaves. My five year old sometimes wonders. She loves to weigh everything in the produce department. It becames a learning experience as well. I am usually tired afterwards but it slowly and gradually is getting better.

We eat a lot quesadilla's(spelling), hotdogs(chicken or turkey), sandwiches, sausages, carrots, cucumbers, corn, artichokes, lettuce, asian foods, pizza(homemade and special frozen), meatballs from trader joes. I think with time and taste testing they will learn to love certain foods. I hated broccoli until I was 25 and now I can't be without it. Hang in there you will figure it out.

I would say no. My son was on Pediasure for about two years. But that was because he has genuine health problems. Yes, it's good for the nutrition in her, but it is a huge drain on your wallet! Whole milk and Carnation instant breakfast is MUCH cheaper and tastes SOOO much better! Good luck!!

Hi S.,
Well, pedia-sure seems to me like something that you could feed your child if they can not eat solids at all. Please be cautioned that it may contain healthy nutrients and vitamins, but what it contains most is sugar. These days, children consume way to much sugar as it is. This may make your finiky eater even more finiky if she gets used to the sweet taste and lack of solid foods. If I were you, I would try to limit snacks and try to introduce all kinds new fun foods to your child. You could both learn something new!

I also have a moderately picky eater and I use pediasure- the chocolate kind and the generic equivalent. My daughter has a "chocolate milk" as she calls it every other day sometimes depending on how she has been eating. She likes it and it gives me some peace of mind on those days. You might also add in a gummy vitamin if you haven't already. They taste much better than the chewables. Good luck!

My granddaaughter was the same way. The pediatrician recommended pediasure. It didn't change her eating habits but at least we knew she was getting the nutrician she needed. I say yes.

Hi S.! I would make sure that she is taking a good multi-vitamin. When my daughter is going through one of her phases where she is not eating as much, I'll throw about 1/2 scoop of Muscle Gain (~10g of protein powder) in her Dinasour Eggs (oatmeal) or chocolate milk. (I use the Muscle Gain because the protein is easier to digest than most on the market. I like the idea below about having her help with the shopping (maybe she can pich her own rainbow of foods). We sometimes like to pick a new friut to try as a family. Good luck:-)

I would if she is underweight and underheight. It wouldn't hurt her!

j

I'm interested to see what others have to say about this subject. I don't know any kids that aren't finicky personally! My daughter loves pedia sure, and from what I've read it does help her get nutrients since she doesn't eat much at all sometimes, too busy to stop and sit down! I think it tastes good too :)

I would say yes. When my son was 1 he was not gaining weight and putting him on that really turned things around and he loved the taste. It is chock full of vitamins and it can't hurt to try to balance things out if she is not getting enough daily nutrients.

I think most products like pediasure are laden with high fructose corn syrup which is terrible for the metabolism and over all health. Maybe a homemade shake with juice or fruit? The more you learn/read about high fructose corn syrup, the more you will avoid it!

I'm not sure, I think it has lots of sugar. How about multi-vitamins?

Ask your pediatrician. As the step parent of a young girl with "Atypical Anorexia" I can tell you what we were told. "A child won't starve themselves" Hogwash!
Don't give in a give her ice cream "because she needs the fat and the calories". Go with the healthy options. Banana is a great option. We were told that SlimFast has more nutrients in it.
My son doesn't eat much and is slow to gain weight. I hide carrots, zuccini and protien powder in muffins, cupcakes and smoothies. I feed him foods that are loaded with nutrients. No lettuce in our home, just spinach. IT's great on sandwiches too.
I'd check with a nutritionist and your pediatrician to find out what would be your best options.

I have a very picky eater and wondered the same thing about pediasure, but was told that it isn't a good idea. It will give your child a "full" feeling, and make it even more difficult to get them to try new foods. Don't worry, it sounds like you are doing everything right. Your child will eat when she is hungry. Just keep offering new stuff, and don't stress when she doesn't try it. As long as what she is eating is healthy, you are doing good!

I give my two year old one a day. You do not want to give it to them for every meal but I think one a day is good that way I know he is getting something good in his system. My friend did it as well with her daughter for a long time and she turned out okay!
SOme klids jsut do not eat well.
I do not see anything wrong with it!
Anything to get something good in them.
Good luck.
Lisa

Hi S.,

I'd say no. If she is healthy, and if you keep offered just nutritional food, she will grow happy and healthy. I am living proof of that. I'd go days without eating anything and then gorge for a while. My daughter is the same way. I was a normal weight and my daughter is on the slender as a reed side but she is quite healthy and eats great things like dried seaweed (doc recommended for the mineral content)! at 6 years. But my Mom (and I try) never offered anything but good-for-you food. Any vitamins that she does get is seriously outweighed by the other filler that is in pediasure. In my mind, it is junk food with a fancy label (great advertising, huh?). Keep up the healthy snacks and meals! Don't worry bout the rest.

Children are natural grazers so she may be eating just what she needs. Perhaps go with a children's multi-vitamin rather than the sugary supplements. Good luck!

NO NO NO!!

I have a friend that has a very picky eater and we have found a ton of alternatives. Pediasure is not all that good for them full of sugars! I would recommend Odwalla or Columbia Gorge protein shakes...they have a great "super green" that is full of protein and other good stuff. My Mom is a nurse and DOES NOT recommend Pediasure unless it is medically necessary.

NO! No! No! If you need to supplement, try a whole food liquid. Any time a supplement lists out the nutrient amounts you'll know that they are synthetic and isolated vitamins and minerals...these need to be coming from a food source, not something manufactured in a lab. Also, the second ingredient is sugar...something kids are getting too much of. We use Body Balance...a whole food with over 120 phytonutrients. My kids drink 1 ounce in the morning and I know they are getting the nutrients their body requires. Good luck, I know it can be frustrating to have a picky eater. :-)

I am a SAHM with a 3 1/2 boy and 6 1/2 year old girl who are delights. I have been married 12 years and work from home as a wellness coach.

my son has a pediasure everyday, he is a oral sensory child, and a vegan by choice since birth (seriously the child won't eat meat) he has grade 4 GERD and does not tolerate many foods (vomits) he also was born w/o the esaogueal sphincter muscle so we need to suppliment a lot, his ped says if your child is picky or does not like vitamins this is a great source, my ped writes me an RX for it and insurance rememburses me for the cost (80%) because it will become spenday,