“Mom, I want chicken and rice!” This is the usual request I get from my now 5-year old. She’s a picky eater and mealtimes proves to be a challenge for us every day.
We always wanted the best for our kids. And sometimes the best does not equate to what they want. With picky-eaters, it is worrisome for us parents because not only do we want for them to eat the right amount of food, but we also wanted to give them variety so as to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need for optimal growth and development.
What are the indicators of healthy growth?
According to Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Abbott Nutrition’s Medical Doctor, “there are three signs of healthy growth: weight, height, and immunity. But height is a more important measure of a child’s growth than weight.” It is always recommended that you consult your child’s pediatrician if height and weight are on its normal course, lagging behind or within expected.
To help encourage parents to properly measure their children in order to recognize the signs of nutritional inadequacy and keep their growth on track, Abbott launched Pediasure Plus #OhMyGrowth (OMG) Park across a number of locations in the Philippines. The park offers a fun and interactive experience for parents and children over three years old. The park officially kicked off its first park at Festival Mall in Alabang last November 17-18, 2018. It is scheduled to open at SM City Pampanga and SM Southmall, Las Piñas on December 8-9 and December 15-16, respectively.
What can I do to ensure healthy growth?
The first five years is a critical window in a child’s life for bone growth, with 60% of a child’s adult height attributed to growth at this stage. “The best gift for your child is by providing the right nutrition in the first few years of life. Pag mali ang simula, medyo mahihirapan na siya later on in life.” Dr. Dimaano stressed.
It is important to ensure that a child is getting a complete and balanced nutrition during this five-year window so that a child can stay on track in achieving his full growth potential.
What if I’m dealing with a picky eater?
My daughter’s pedia introduced us to the 20-minute rule. It’s one way of training our children to eat within a certain period of time. Another way is by giving an oral nutritional supplement like PediaSure® Plus.
Dr. Dimaano says, “To support the overall growth and development, children require complete and balanced nutrition. Pediasure Plus provides essential macronutrients and micronutrients needed by a child to stay healthy and well-nourished. Its consistent use helps children to meet their dietary requirements of key nutrients for growth. This is especially important because many Filipinos are deficient in nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin A and C – all needed to support the optimal growth of children”.
What is PediaSure® Plus?
PediaSure® Plus is the only clinically proven and nutritional supplement with 37 growth nutrients and Triple Protein Complex providing complete and balanced nutrition for children 3 years and above.
What are the benefits?
Height. It has Triple Protein Complex specially formulated form three sources of protein – milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate. This scientifically balanced blend provides all the essential amino acids to support growth and development and helps the child achieve the optimal maximum height for his age.
Weight. It helps provide 40% more energy than regular milk. It has a blend of tree carbohydrate sources of hydrolyzed cornstarch, sucrose and FOS (frustooligosaccharides) that promote maximum digestion and absorption. This supports the child’s growth to achieve the optimal weight for his age.
Immunity. It has a unique synbiotic blend, a combination of prebiotics FOS, prebiotics of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus (good bacteria), and 28 vitamins and minerals to promote a stronger immunity. This supports the child immunity and reduced number of sick days.
Whom is PediaSure® Plus For?
It is the #1 Child Nutritional Supplement formulated to help fill in the nutritional gaps in children above 3 years old who have growth and picky-eating concerns. It helps meet or exceeds the 100% Required Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) of children above 3 years old at 2-3 servings per day.
It is suitable for children
- who require help for catch up growth
- who are hesitant to try new foods
- who prefer playing to eating
- who accept/eat only a few types of food (picky eater)
- who eat few fruits and vegetables
- who are physically active
It can be used as a meal replacement and is lactose and gluten-free. It is also certified halal.
How to prepare?
For full benefits, give your child 2 to 3 servings per day. Mix five (5) scoops of PediaSure® Plus in 190 ml water. When mixed as directed, one (1) serving provides 225 calories.
Where is it available?
PediaSure® Plus comes in vanilla and chocolate flavors. Available in 150g, 400g, 850g, 1.2 kg, 1.6 kg and 1.8 kg; while the chocolate flavor comes in 400g, 850g and 1.6 kg pack size. You may order on Lazada and all major drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.