01/16/2026
🌟 New 2026 Dietary Guidelines: A Pediatric Dietitian & Mom’s Perspective 🌟
Hey, amazing parents! As both a pediatric dietitian and a mom, I’m excited to explore the 2026 Dietary Guidelines and share my insights on what they got right and where there’s room for improvement in our kiddos' health.
✅ **What They Got Right:**
1. **Focus on Whole Foods:** Emphasizing whole grains, fruits, and veggies is spot on! These nutrient-packed foods are essential for growing bodies and minds.
2. **Encouraging Full-Fat Products for Young Kids:** Recognizing the importance of full-fat dairy and other products during infancy and early childhood supports proper growth and development.
3. **Breastfeeding Recommendations:** Encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is a wonderful endorsement of this natural and beneficial practice.
🔍 **Where They Missed the Mark:**
1. **Lack of guidelines on portions for infant, children and teens:**
2. **Exclusion of Plant Proteins:** The guidelines place a high focus on protein but miss the mark by not adequately incorporating plant-based protein options, which are crucial for diverse diets.
3. **Zero Added Sugar for Young Kids:** While reducing sugar is crucial, the guidelines could be more nuanced by addressing age-appropriate flexibility, especially for children under 10.
Nutrition and health have many nuances that we often overlook, especially in children. If you ever have questions...reach out to your local pediatric dietitians!!