Pediasure for fussy eaters?

[hermione]

My kids are beyond fussy eaters, and I'm really worried about their nutritional intake, sometime I wonder how my 2 yr old is even alive!

I've been thinking about supplementing with pediasure, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with it? It's about 3 times the cost of Regular Ensure and Boost, and from reading the ingredients, I don't see much of a difference. I'm thinking of adding a bit of regular ensure to their milk before bed, and gradually upping it to about 1/2 ensure 1/2 milk. I'm not sure though, and I'd appreciate any advice or opinions on this

[CSK'sMom]

A far cheaper option is Carnation Instant Breakfast. It's what our ped. recommended for our DD who isn't a picky eater but a slow grower/weight gainer. The vanilla flavour can be mixed into their milk on their cereal/oats without them noticing. It also comes in chocolate and strawberry flavours as well. Mixed with milk it will add another 300 calories to their diet along with all the vitamins and minerals.

[dealerguy]

Pediasure is a good option but it affected my brother's son's teeth and they were all full of cavities. So make sure that the kid brushes the teeth regularly

[pimom]

A friend gave her 4 year old son Ensure regularily for a year when he wouldn't eat and was losing weight. She then finally owned up to the fact that he ate just fine at his grandmothers and she had made meals into a power struggle. Things are fine now.

[RunnerForDeals]

I would offer up that you try and find out why they are picky/fussy eaters as apposed to putting something else that is processed in their diet. Kids won't starve themselves to death, they will eventually eat.

Also talk to your doctor, if they feel the weight is an issue discuss the supplements with them. If they don't then I wouldn't do it, kids will eat, just try and stay away from processed foods as they are too good tasting and chemically designed to hook people in to eating them. I am not saying you are using processed foods, just offer advice if you are.

[bltman]

Whatever supplement you use (ensure, boost, Pediasure, etc) you should feed it in the morning. Gives them better energy for the day and won’t be digesting at bed time.

You can also try either one or both of the "Sneaky Chef" or "Deceptively Deliscious" cookbooks. These books give great ideas on how to make foods that kids prefer healthier. Our family likes the spice cake recipe from one of the books (it’s essentially broccoli bread) and we had fun hiding peas puree in my sons chocolate pudding. Both of these cookbooks are based on creating vegetable purees and then including them in other foods. (If you don’t have time to make the purees, you can save time by buying frozen organic baby food or even jarred baby food.) Check them out at the library before buying.

[AnnaBanana]

You can also try either one or both of the "Sneaky Chef" or "Deceptively Deliscious" cookbooks. These books give great ideas on how to make foods that kids prefer healthier. Our family likes the spice cake recipe from one of the books (it’s essentially broccoli bread) and we had fun hiding peas puree in my sons chocolate pudding. Both of these cookbooks are based on creating vegetable purees and then including them in other foods. (If you don’t have time to make the purees, you can save time by buying frozen organic baby food or even jarred baby food.) Check them out at the library before buying.

+1
i love those books! you can also just google recipes that have hidden nutrition in them... because what is better? processed chemicals in a can, or a piece of spice cake (loaded with veggies and nutrients), or muffins (loaded with beta caroteen), or spaghetti sauce (in which you puree every veggie in the fridge, but don't tell them!). it's AMAZING what you can get in kids (even school aged kids) without telling them what they're eating...

Also, STICK WITH IT. giving them 'drinks' will just fill them up, and make them want EVEN LESS to try new things.... good luck!!