Chicago, IL – September 18, 2017 – American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference (Book Signing)

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Chicago, IL – September 18, 2017 – American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference (Book Signing)

Jun 1

Parents of picky eaters, this is one of the most helpful nutrition facts I’ve learned from an RDN 20 years ago...

When we think about constipation, we often hear, “Just give more fiber.”

But kids actually benefit from two different types of fiber:

✅ Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps support movement through the digestive tract.

✅ Soluble fiber absorbs water and helps soften the stool.

The good news? Most foods contain a mix of both types of fiber, which is one reason I’m always encouraging families to offer a variety of foods.

Here are a few easy ways to boost fiber intake:

🥄 Stir chia seeds into yogurt, oatmeal, or applesauce

🫘 Mash black beans into soups, dips, quesadillas, or taco meat

🥣 Use ground oats for muffins, pancakes, or meatballs

🌱 Blend flaxseed or chia seeds into smoothies (not both)

🍓 Continue offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds when developmentally appropriate

💩Remember, constipation isn’t always solved by adding one “magic” food. Variety matters because different foods provide different nutrients, textures, and types of fiber that help support healthy digestion.

Learning to eat a wide variety of foods can support gut health for years to come.

✨ Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years of feeding therapy, helping parents and therapists help kids find joy in food.

🥰Melanie

Melaniepotock / fiber for kids / toddler constipation / soluble fiber / insoluble fiber / picky eater tips / toddler nutrition / healthy digestion / gut health for kids / feeding development / vegetables for toddlers / constipation relief for kids ...

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Jun 1

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Kids who listen well at mealtimes often have parents who consistently do these three things:

✅ Get physically close before giving an instruction
Instead of calling across the room, move closer, make eye contact, and connect before you speak. If your at the table with them, even better.
✅ Give fewer instructions & allow a good 5 seconds before expecting a response.
Many children need a few extra moments to process what you’ve said before they can act on it.
✅ Follow through calmly, regardless of their response
Whether your child cooperates immediately, protests, or needs support, staying calm helps them learn what to expect.

😳Parents are often surprised when I make suggestions like this in feeding therapy. WHY would I? Because feeding your kid is about communication and connection. That’s how all good things come about.❤️

When mealtimes become a constant stream of directions, reminders, and negotiations, children often tune us out. But when we slow down, connect first, and stay consistent, kids are more likely to hear us.

Did this surprise you? Save this for your next challenging meal & share it with another parent who needs encouragement today.

🥰 Melanie
picky eating / picky eater tips / toddler behavior / mealtime struggles / parenting tips / feeding therapy / responsive feeding / family meals / child development / toddler meals ...

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May 31

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In 25+ years as a feeding therapist, I’ve seen how powerful food exposure can be before a child ever takes a bite.
📚 This isn’t just my observation. Research suggests that involving children in selecting and preparing fruits & vegetables may increase their interest in these foods and support more positive eating habits over time. I’ll place the citation in the comments if you’d like to take a closer look.

🛒Here are 3 reasons I encourage parents to bring young children along when shopping for produce:
🥕 1. Familiarity reduces fear
Children are more likely to try foods they’ve seen, touched, smelled, selected, and helped purchase.
🥬 2. It builds food curiosity
The produce section is full of opportunities to explore colors, shapes, textures, and names of foods without any pressure to eat them.
🍓 3. It creates ownership
When children help choose a fruit or vegetable, they’re often more interested in seeing it again at home, helping prepare it, and sometimes even tasting it.

🥦 Coach Mel Tip: Let your child choose one produce item each week.

And remember, you don’t have to buy the whole thing! Ask them to pick a single broccoli floret, one mushroom, one kiwi, or a few green beans. Most produce is sold by weight, making this an inexpensive way to build food curiosity without wasting food.
❌The goal isn’t to get them to eat it.
❤️The goal is to help them become comfortable around it.

Did this surprise you? Save this for your next grocery trip & share it with a parent who need motivation to take their child shopping.

✨ Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years of feeding therapy, helping parents and therapists help kids find joy in food.
🥰Coach Mel

Melanie Potock
grocery shopping with toddlers / picky eating / adventurous eaters / toddler nutrition / fruits & vegetables / feeding development / responsive feeding / food exposure / preschoolers / healthy eating habits / grocery store learning / raising adventurous eaters ...

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