Proper nutrition in the early years of childhood development sets the foundation for a healthy adult life. With almost 25% of Australian children being diagnosed as overweight or obese¹, as well as the increasing number with diabetes, it is critical that we educate our children in good eating habits.

The ‘Solids Starter Kit’ allows you to prepare simple, nutritious and economical food at home to support the optimal growth and development of your baby.

INFANT NUTRITION

‘Nutrition, particularly in infancy and in childhood will also have long-term influences on adult health. Blood pressure, cholesterol levels and breathing tests in adulthood are not only influenced by birth weight, but also how children are fed in infancy and their growth in the first year of life. Most of the diseases [obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or atherosclerosis] … are less likely in adults who were breast-fed. How an infant is fed also affects how they grow.’ Kids Food Health 1, Eve Reed & Dr Patricia McVeagh.

INTRODUCING SOLIDS

‘During the second half of the first year, babies go through a major transition in feeding - from a diet consisting only of human milk or commercial infant formula to learning to eat pureed foods from a spoon to feeding themselves chopped up family foods.

Learning to take solids is not just about nutrition. The infant is also learning to distinguish taste, texture and colour. So when you present foods, keep them separate, don’t mix everything into a big mush. This way your infant will experience the difference tastes and textures of the white stuff compared to the yellow stuff and how this is different from the green stuff.’ Kids Food Health 1, Eve Reed & Dr Patricia McVeagh.

EVE REED, Accredited Practising Dietitian. BSc, DipNutrDiet (Syd).

Eve is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, specialising in paediatric nutrition and dietetics. For 13½ years Eve was employed by the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Later on she held a number of positions including, the most senior nutrition role of Deputy/Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. At the beginning of 2003, Eve resigned from Westmead Hospital to focus on consultancy work and establishing Family Food Works.

Eve has refined her skills in counselling and educating parents, children and carers as well as health professionals. She has published three books on children’s nutrition -Kids, Food, Health 1, 2 & 3. Eve has also written research articles for peer-reviewed journals and an array of consumer nutrition material for food manufacturers. For many years Eve’s expert advice has graced consumer magazines, TV and radio.

Eve is an active member of the Dietitian’s Association of Australia as well as a member of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Nutrition Australia and the Australian Society for the Study of Obesity.

Eve’s philosophy is based on:

• improving the health of children, by improving the nutrition of families
• educating parents about appropriate nutrition practices for their children 
• promoting children’s nutrition through the media.

The Kids Food Health books can all be purchased online from Eve Reed at Family Food Works