Dietitian to Help DS Lose Weight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do see a nutritionist if it will help, but you can also find a lot of useful materials on-line. Don't encourage DS to skip meals. That is not a healthy way to do it. Healthy food choices and reasonable portion sizes, 3 meals a day, are the way to go. Don't keep junk food in the house. Encourage him to be active, perhaps starting small with a daily walk or easy bike ride together. Present it as a lifestyle change for the whole family. It's good that you're intervening now, OP. Good luck!

Google Web MD Safe Weight Loss for Overweight Kids. Helpful suggestions there!

Understood. But I want a health professional speaks to him and answers his questions. He might've been googling on his own and came up with the 'plan' he has now, which is not helpful. I think he's entitled to working with a dietitian or nutritionist.

Sure, but the point is you'll need to provide support, including healthy food options and physical activity.

and how do you know we aren't already?

Because no child becomes heavily overweight, barring an endocrinological problem, unless the parents enable him or her by supporting unhealthy food consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. I see children with many different kinds of builds, but active children rarely gain to the point of obesity. Are you providing plenty of fruit and vegetables in lieu of processed snacks? Does your DC get any exercise?

[Anonymous]

Geez people, someone asks for a dietitian recommendation and suddenly you're acting like the parents are laying him on a bed of chocolate bars and telling him not to move. I'm sure OP knows about healthy choices and exercise.

OP, I don't have a recommendation, but I think seeing a dietitian is a good idea. Many times kids take instruction better from adults who aren't their parents (e.g., coaches, teachers) and maybe seeing a dietitian will help DS' mindset . Also having a concrete plan helps a lot of kids, rather than a vague, "eat better, get exercise."

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I also can't believe the blame here. Not super helpful. Though i would enjoy a bed of chocolate bars.

Our pediatrician has someone who specializes in nutrition on staff (Capitol Medical Group in MD). I plan on having this discussion at the next visit (which is scheduled for October).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also can't believe the blame here. Not super helpful. Though i would enjoy a bed of chocolate bars.

Our pediatrician has someone who specializes in nutrition on staff (Capitol Medical Group in MD). I plan on having this discussion at the next visit (which is scheduled for October).

You're right, it's a quick judgement without the facts but this is an anonymous message board - kind of expect that. I see both sides - don't know the full story BUT in most of these cases it's because the parents do not promote a healthy eating environment by cooking healthy meals, etc. I'm not saying this is the OP, but I have found most often than not, the parents had a big part in the issue.

[Anonymous]

You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez people, someone asks for a dietitian recommendation and suddenly you're acting like the parents are laying him on a bed of chocolate bars and telling him not to move. I'm sure OP knows about healthy choices and exercise.

OP, I don't have a recommendation, but I think seeing a dietitian is a good idea. Many times kids take instruction better from adults who aren't their parents (e.g., coaches, teachers) and maybe seeing a dietitian will help DS' mindset . Also having a concrete plan helps a lot of kids, rather than a vague, "eat better, get exercise."

Good luck!

+1 million Some kids are genetically predisposed to gaining weight. OP is asking for expert advice and some stupid judgy parents just want to blame for for everything she's doing wrong without knowing any facts. I also don't have any, but would ask your ped or call around at Children's National or Johns Hopkins peds who hopefully has nutritionists on staff, most of the other hospitals do for adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

There's nothing wrong with seeking expert advice. And weight loss issues are not "easy." If they were, half our country wouldn't be obese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

There's nothing wrong with seeking expert advice. And weight loss issues are not "easy." If they were, half our country wouldn't be obese.

It's certainly not "easy" but the playbook to lose weight is "easy" - it's the execution of it that is super hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

There's nothing wrong with seeking expert advice. And weight loss issues are not "easy." If they were, half our country wouldn't be obese.

It's certainly not "easy" but the playbook to lose weight is "easy" - it's the execution of it that is super hard.

+2 A nutritionist consult is not a silver bullet. Family culture will likely have to change as well. I think that's what some PPs are getting at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

examples of non processed snacks other than carrots/fruits etc. ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

examples of non processed snacks other than carrots/fruits etc. ?

Semi-processed but healthy: string cheese, low-sugar yogurt (my kids like vanilla Siggis--I buy it by the tub), a little peanut butter with apples

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

examples of non processed snacks other than carrots/fruits etc. ?

Semi-processed but healthy: string cheese, low-sugar yogurt (my kids like vanilla Siggis--I buy it by the tub), a little peanut butter with apples

If DC is resistant to fresh fruit at first, bananas and grapes usually work well. Clementine oranges. But, yes, adding some protein makes the snack or meal more filling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

examples of non processed snacks other than carrots/fruits etc. ?

Semi-processed but healthy: string cheese, low-sugar yogurt (my kids like vanilla Siggis--I buy it by the tub), a little peanut butter with apples

If DC is resistant to fresh fruit at first, bananas and grapes usually work well. Clementine oranges. But, yes, adding some protein makes the snack or meal more filling.

are those really that much better than a, say, protein bar or natural valley bar? serious question.

[Anonymous]

OP, as you know, you want a registered dietitian for real help with this. Go to the web site of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (www.eatright.org), put in your zip code, and you will find RDNs who specialize in pediatrics in your area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need to see a ped or nutritionist for this. This problem can be easily solved:

1- No processed snack of any kind in house,
2- no soda or sugar drink in the house,
3- have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner with strict calories intake everyday. Those meals should have healthy contents and lot of fruit and vegetable. this should be a lifetime goal,
4- hire a personal trainer to help him with his everyday work out. this should be a lifetime goal

examples of non processed snacks other than carrots/fruits etc. ?

Semi-processed but healthy: string cheese, low-sugar yogurt (my kids like vanilla Siggis--I buy it by the tub), a little peanut butter with apples

If DC is resistant to fresh fruit at first, bananas and grapes usually work well. Clementine oranges. But, yes, adding some protein makes the snack or meal more filling.

are those really that much better than a, say, protein bar or natural valley bar? serious question.

Because of the difference in sugar content, usually yes. Protein bars are often intended as a meal substitute and therefore high in calories, granola bars usually have a lot of added sugar as well. People often don't realized how much sugar they consume. It helps to start looking at labels with an eye to sugar in particular, and added chemicals in general. There are low- or no-sugar options for lots of things now.