To answer this and more pressing questions that parents of picky eaters commonly ask, we spoke with pediatric specialist Murray Clarke, D.Hom, N.D., whose 20 years of clinical experience in children’s nutrition led him to found Childlife Essentials in 2000 and formulate the first complete line of nutritional supplements for infants and children. Being choosy with their snacks in between meals allows kids to build up an appetite for healthy foods. “If they want something sweet, avoid high-sugar or processed snacks, and try fruit instead. Or maybe it’s cheese, turkey jerky, nuts, or some sort of protein,” he adds. “That way it won’t disrupt their blood sugar.” “If they start eating clean foods at 6, 7 months, then you’re going to get a longer time period before they start getting picky,” Clarke explains. “You see a lot of kids starting to get picky in their first year, but you can prevent that up until 4 years so that they’re open to trying new foods regularly.” Supplementing can be a way to ensure that they’re getting all the nutrients they need. Based on over two decades of pediatric nutrition research and clinical work, Clarke identified four key nutrients for growing children and formulated Childlife Essentials’ Core 4, all of which are non-GMO; made without any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners; and are free of the top eight allergens: “Some parents ask, should I deny my kid dessert if she won’t eat her dinner? That’s a slippery slope because then you’ll start bribing them for everything. If they learn they can manipulate you there, they’ll manipulate you in other ways, not related to diet!” These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
