How to be a nutritional detective

Chronic ailments among children are on the rise, but the solution may be as easy as adjusting their diets. Nutritionist Kelly Dorfman’s book What’s Eating Your Child? gives parents the tools they need to be nutritional detectives and help their children thrive. Here are some of her tips:

Think outside the box.

When something is making your child sick, it might not be your first instinct to assume it’s the food he’s eating. But diet can affect several aspects of your child’s health. Talk to a doctor, nutritionist, psychotherapist and whomever else you may need to decipher the symptoms and find a cause.

Set your priorities.

The average doctor’s appointment lasts about 15 minutes. It’s not likely that you’ll get the chance to address all of your concerns. Instead of trying to tackle everything in one visit, prioritize your concerns and stick to one or two major questions.

Take small steps.

If you have a picky eater on your hands, recognize that the problem could be more than your child not wanting to try new things. To identify the foods that work for your child, try introducing those choices slowly, one by one.

Follow your instincts.

Don’t talk yourself out of getting help for your child because doctors say it’s nothing. If you think it’s something, keep searching until you find a professional who agrees.

The cause could be chemistry.

Acting out could be a result of pure biology. Sugar and other potential irritants or deficiencies can affect biochemical processes and account for your child’s behavior.