Naureen Hunani Nutrition

02/27/2022

Here is your friendly reminder that: ⁣
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Meals can look different for different families. ⁣
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The recommendation that parents "should" only make one meal (one, starch, veggies, one protein) is based on the assumption that all family members have the same feeding abilities, sensory needs and preferences.⁣
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Many parents need to accommodate their children and adapt their meals so all members can be adequately nourished. ⁣
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Feeding a family is not easy, especially when you have kids with feeding differences. ⁣
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Alt Text: Because sometimes, it's not possible to "just make one meal" for the entire family.

01/17/2022

Offering preferred foods at every meal can help children meet their nutrient needs. If your selective eater doesn't have familiar options, he might leave the table feeling hungry.⁣
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Pressure can decrease appetite, and when children feel more clam, hunger can kick in. Pressure-free meals are essential for children to feel safe. ⁣
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If there is a lot going on during mealtime and your child is sensitive, your child might experience sensory overload and not feel well enough to eat. This is particularly the case for neurodivergent children. ⁣
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If your child is constantly asking for food right after dinner, it is time to dig deeper. ⁣
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12/20/2021

Wishing you a peaceful and restful holiday season!
See you in 2022!

12/13/2021

There are many reasons children can have difficulty eating at family gatherings, and sensory overload is one of them! ⁣
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Here are a few tips to reduce sensory overwhelm during the holidays ⁣
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👚Make sure your kiddo is wearing sensory-friendly clothes. “Fancy” clothes can often feel "itchy" and uncomfortable to some children. Always choose comfortable clothing. ⁣
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📺 Schedule downtime and avoid doing too many activities in one day.⁣
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⏱ Leave events early if needed; this is one of the best ways to avoid a meltdown. Some children can only handle 1-2 hours of socialization, which is fine. ⁣
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⌛️Allow extra time for transitions and reduce demands as much as possible. ⁣
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🌮 Offer preferred foods, and don't be shy to use noise-cancelling headphones even at family dinners! ⁣
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♟Don't force children to participate in activities they don't want to join in. ⁣
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🎄Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season! ⁣
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Alt text: Eating can become challenging when a child experiences sensory overload. ⁣
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Tips to reduce sensory overwhelm during the holidays!⁣

11/01/2021

Here are a few questions to as yourself if your child is showing signs of distress at the dinner table: ⁣
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🌯 Are you honouring your child's hunger and fullness cues? Children need to know that they won't be forced into eating foods they don't want to. Reducing pressure is essential! ⁣
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🌯 Some children need more autonomy and need to be able to make their own choices around food. This is especially the case for children with demand anxiety (PDA). Are you offering options and involving your child in meal planning? ⁣
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🌯 Is the feeding environment sensory-friendly? We are all sensory beings, and we all have sensory needs! How are you meeting your child's sensory needs during mealtimes? ⁣
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🌯 Do you have a flexible eating routine? Modelling flexibility is essential. ⁣
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🌯 Are you offering preferred foods at every meal and snack? This is a must for selective eaters! ⁣
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Alt text: When kids feel voiceless at the dinner table, learning to eat new foods becomes difficult. Learning can only happen when we prioritize felt safety. ⁣
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🌯🌯🌯🌯⁣
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I'm Naureen Hunani, a pediatric and family registered dietitian specializing in selective eating and ARFID. Want to work together? Check out the link in my bio! ⁣
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10/29/2021

Micromanaging Halloween candy backfires! ⁣
Check out the following accounts that have posted some great info on why restricting sweets isn’t a good idea! ⁣
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.kids_intuitive.eating .diet.kids

10/11/2021

TW Abuse, ableism, childhood trauma ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
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🍽 Participating in family meals can be difficult for parents who've experienced food-related trauma in childhood. ⁣
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🍽 This is often the case for parents who identify as selective eaters, have sensory-related food aversions, and were abused at the dinner table. ⁣
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🍽 Dissociation can be protective; your inability to implement family meals is not a "compliance" issue! You deserve trauma-informed nutrition and eating support. ⁣
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🍓🍓🍓⁣
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I'm Naureen Hunani, a trauma-informed dietitian specializing in the area of feeding and eating difficulties. If you are looking for support, you are welcome to connect with me! Link in bio.

09/24/2021

I am so tired of hearing the argument that eating sugar at lunch will prevent children from learning. ⁣
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This is unscientific, and policies that endorse this idea are steeped in diet culture. ⁣
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Alt text: If schools were that concerned about our children's education, they would make more effort to accommodate kids who deserve accommodation, provide ample time for play⁣
and prioritize felt safety, especially for kids with learning differences and marginalized⁣
identities. Implementing a "no sugar policy"⁣
is not what is going to enhance learning. ⁣
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09/22/2021

09/10/2021

Been seeing lots of "interesting" tips on IG lately on how to get kids to try new foods. ⁣
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I've come across freaky-looking peppers with googly eyes to "helicopter carrots". I mean, who has time for that? ⁣
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Look, this stuff might work for some kids, but it can make eating worst for others. ⁣
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Plus, it becomes another added thing parents feel the need to do to "get" kids to try new foods. And this trick doesn't always work, especially for neurodivergent children! ⁣
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Find natural ways to interact with food, and your children will progress when they are ready!⁣
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09/03/2021

School nutrition policies create a lot of stress for parents of selective eaters. ⁣
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Parents constantly feel judged and shamed for packing preferred foods for their children. ⁣
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This creates unnecessary anxiety around feeding children. ⁣
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Schools need to do a better job at creating inclusive feeding environments! ⁣
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09/02/2021

Want to work together? Check out the link in bio ⁣
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🥕🥕🥕🥕⁣
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I’m a registered pediatric dietitian and family nutritionist. And I firmly believe that our early experiences with food impact the food choices we make later in life.

08/18/2021

It’s easier to “ban” certain foods from schools than to provide real solutions. Food shaming in schools needs to stop!

08/16/2021

During a period of transition, some "picky eaters" become “pickier” than usual.⁣
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This doesn't mean that their feeding skills have regressed.⁣
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Stress can decrease appetite in some children; this is particularly true for highly sensitive children. ⁣
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You may also notice more “food rigidity” than usual. ⁣
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Gravitating towards familiar foods can be a coping mechanism. ⁣
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Be patient, and allow your children to settle into their new routine. ⁣
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With time children usually go back to eating “normally”, whatever their normal eating looks like. ⁣
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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀: ⁣
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🍗 Maintain structure and routine around mealtimes.⁣
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🍓 Honour your child’s appetite and offer a safe and pressure free eating environment.⁣
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🥕 Offer meals and snacks containing preferred foods⁣.
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🥛 Offer nutritious beverages more often to children who have a low appetite.⁣
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👟Provide opportunities for joyful movement. ⁣
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⛹️‍♂️Physical activity helps increase the production of the brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.

Alt text: Back to school anxiety can "worsen" selective eating in some children. ⁣
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🍓🍓🍓🍓⁣
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Looking for picky eating support, feel free to contact me! Link in bio

08/03/2021

I despise the term "supermom". ⁣
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Glorifying unattainable expectations that we put on mothers is a toxic and damaging social construct that reinforces the cruel standards mothers are held to. ⁣
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You don't have to buy into the supermom myth. ⁣
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It is Ok to ask for help.⁣
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It is Ok to show emotions and be vulnerable. ⁣
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It is Ok to order take-out. ⁣
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It is Ok to rest. ⁣
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It is OK to desire alone time. ⁣
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It is Ok to be imperfect; perfection does not exist. ⁣
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𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹; 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲! ⁣
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Alt text: There is no such thing as a supermom. It is a myth! ⁣
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🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕 ⁣
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I’m a pediatric dietitian and family nutritionist. I offer non-judgmental nutrition and feeding support to parents.

07/23/2021

Sharing in case your kiddo is not a kale lover!⁣
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Alt text: I don't know who needs to hear this,but kale doesn't contain any "miracle nutrients." Nutrients found in kale can be obtained by eating a variety of other foods!!!⁣
You're welcome! ⁣
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🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬⁣
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I offer non-judgemental picky eating support to parents and families. Let's connect, link in bio!

07/12/2021

🍓Some children are adventurous eaters right from the start. ⁣
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🥕Others take their time to learn about food and may take longer to accept a variety of foods. Kids learn at their own pace; we can't "speed up" development. ⁣
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🍽What we can do is offer an environment where learning can happen! ⁣
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🍗Early experiences with food matter! ⁣
If you are looking for intro to solids guidance or feel like your child is experiencing difficulties, I am here to support you! Link in bio⁣
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Alt text: ⁣
Intro to solids tip:⁣
Your job:⁣
Keep offering a variety of foods. Progress textures according to your child's development. Share meals together and honour your child's hunger and fullness cues.⁣
Your child's job:⁣
Learn and progress at their own pace. Listen to their body's hunger and fullness cues.⁣
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07/07/2021

07/05/2021

I had the pleasure to be a guest on the Sunny side up nutrition podcast. Link in bio!

07/04/2021

Eating is sensory-based and we are are all sensory beings! ⁣
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Some children's sensory experiences are significantly different compared to their family members. ⁣
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This does not mean that your child is trying to be "bad" or "difficult". ⁣
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The important thing is to validate your children and their experiences, accept them for who they are and accommodate their needs. ⁣
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Alt text: You may not have the same sensory experiences with food as your child, and that is Ok. You can still accept your child's differences and honour their needs. ⁣
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🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕⁣
I offer "picky eating"/sensory eating support to parents so they can feel more confident feeding their children. Want to work together? Check out the link in my bio. ⁣
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06/28/2021

Some children benefit from having a bedtime snack, especially if bedtime is a few hours after dinner. This provides children with another opportunity to nourish their bodies. ⁣
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However, there is a misconception that bedtime snacks need to be "boring"; otherwise, children will purposely skip dinner to eat their favourite bedtime snack. For this reason, some professionals will recommend offering only "boring" snacks. ⁣
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𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. It is purely 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 and feeds this false idea that children are these manipulative a**holes who will do anything in their power to skip dinner! And I refuse to see children this way; it goes completely against my values!!! ⁣
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Now suppose your child is skipping dinner so they can have a yummy snack before bed. I mean, that might happen if you are only serving non-preferred foods. The problem isn't the bedtime snack; the problem is that you probably aren't offering enough preferred food choices at dinner time. ⁣
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Offering a boring bedtime snack will not solve problems you might be encountering at dinner time. So if not "boring," then what? ⁣
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Well, I would recommend your offer snacks you would typically offer them during the day. It is always best to alternate and not provide the same thing repeatedly to create food aversions and food burnout. Here are some ideas if you need some inspiration: ⁣
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Fruit and cheese⁣
Milk and cereal⁣
Cookies and milk ⁣
Crackers and peanut butter ⁣
Yogurt drink ⁣
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Happy bedtime snacking! ⁣
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Alt text: Do I need to offer "boring" bedtime snacks? ⁣
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06/23/2021

Summertime is here and today is my children's last day of school! ⁣
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During the break, we are typically much more flexible around eating. This is because kids are home more often, and I know there will be days where there will be more grazing. ⁣
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Providing structure around meals can be beneficial. It makes the daily routine predictable and provides a sense of safety. ⁣
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However, it is essential to note that rigidity ⁣around structure and routine can make children feel incredibly unsafe. ⁣
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Therefore it is important to be flexible in the way we choose to feed our children. So, enjoy this time with your kiddos and let go of perfection! ⁣
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Alt text: red, purple and orange coloured popsicles, text reads: “Structure backfires if it is not flexible!”⁣

06/15/2021

I’ve said this before, and I will say it again. How you invite them to the table can make all the difference⁣
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Alt text: Transitioning from one task to another requires flexibility and can be difficult for some children. Take the time to connect with your child and provide reassurance before asking them to join a family meal.

06/07/2021

Create joyful memories, that is what matters the most!⁣
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🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓⁣
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I'm a registered pediatric dietitian and family nutritionist, and I offer picky eating support to families so they can raise happy and healthy children! ⁣
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Want to work with me? Check out the link in my bio.

05/21/2021

I am not saying no to "food play"! ⁣
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Children learn through play, and exploring foods in a playful manner can help children feel more curious about trying new foods. ⁣
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But please keep in mind that freedom in play is crucial. Your child needs to be able to leave and enter play freely and should not feel coerced or tricked into interacting with non-preferred foods. ⁣
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05/17/2021

Praise can often be interpreted as pressure. When children eat foods to please their caregivers, it typically backfires. ⁣
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Pressure does not work. You might be able to "get" your child to try a bite of non-preferred food, but it will probably not allow your child to learn to enjoy those foods long term. ⁣
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Children often don't ask parents to prepare foods they were pressured to eat. ⁣
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Internal motivation is key to learning to eat varied foods. Let children discover new foods at their own pace. ⁣
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Your job is to keep offering. And remember, children, are allowed to have food preferences too!! ⁣
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04/26/2021

Knowing that a particular food is "good for you" doesn't make the eating experience less aversive. ⁣
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This is particularly true for children with sensory processing differences. ⁣
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Children incorporate new foods into their diet if they are genuinely curious about trying those foods. ⁣
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So how can we help children become more curious?⁣
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🥣 Model eating new foods in front of them.⁣
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🥣 Talk about the sensory properties of foods (ex: What does it look like? What does it taste like? Is it crunchy? Is it chewy?) ⁣
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🥣 Pair non-preferred foods with preferred ones.⁣
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🥣 Provide gentle opportunities to explore new foods.⁣
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🥣 Get children involved in the kitchen. ⁣
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04/15/2021

The broccoli is just a bonus!! Alt text: I get thrilled when clients share success stories about their kids trying new foods. It tells me that the child feels safe at the table and feels regulated enough to feel curious about trying new foods. Internal motivation and autonomy are worth celebrating!

04/09/2021

In our home, we use neutral language when it comes to food. We also talk about body diversity. My goal as a parent is to help my children develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. ⁣
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However, both of my children come home with all kinds of negative messages surrounding bodies and food. This is a consequence of living in a society that idealizes thinness and normalizes diet culture. ⁣
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It is essential to take the time to address these topics. Children need a safe space where they can be vulnerable, reflect and have important conversations! We need to help children develop critical thinking skills. ⁣
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Alt text: Home is where unlearning happens!

03/26/2021

Dear parents of "picky eaters",⁣
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You don't have to understand your child's quirks, "selectiveness," and "unusual eating" behaviours. You can still support them by accepting them for who they are. ⁣
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Providing a judgement-free space and offering a supportive environment is what they need more than you trying to understand "why" they won't eat certain foods.⁣
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Alt text: acceptance is not the same as giving up. ⁣