Milk for the picky child

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A BALANCED diet is important for the health and optimal growth of children. Children with picky eating behaviour often consume less diverse food and dietary variety than their non-picky eater counterparts.

As a result, they may have insufficient intake of certain food groups such as cereals and grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, legumes, milk and dairy products which can lead to inadequate intake of some macronutrients and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

As a solution to the problem, Wyeth Nutrition has launched S-26 PE Gold, the new milk formula specifically developed for picky eaters aged one and above.

Give it a try: Toh (centre) showcasing S-26 PE Gold with counterparts Kenneth Lee (left) and Rohaya Mamat.

S-26 PE Gold with non-fat milk powder as its base ingredient contains more than 40 ingredients, including 25 essential nutrients that support the provision of a balanced diet for young picky eaters to thrive beyond growth improvement.

In a consumer taste survey, 81% of picky eaters liked the taste and 64% found its sweetness just right.

“S-26 PE Gold provides mothers an option to address the nutritional inadequacies of their picky eating children,” said Wyeth Malaysia/Singapore/Vietnam/Brunei general manager Michael Toh.

A recent survey among Malaysians suggest that the overall food habits of Malaysian children may be unsatisfactory. For example, as many as 40% of the children in this survey dislike vegetables and fruits.

Results from this survey indicate an urgent need for public health strategies to educate parents and children on proper nutrition in order to improve children’s eating habits.

Mealtime battles with picky eaters are often a household crisis for parents.

Some children only eat peanut butter, others will not have fish and most will not even touch their vegetables.

“In the eyes of a child, new food can be scary and intimidating. He or she may also take an unusual liking to certain foods that in most cases are unhealthy and they want to have it at every meal,” said Dr Emilie Flores, professor of nutrition at the University of the Philippines.

“Research shows that picky eaters may develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which are important for their growth and development.

“It is important that these children get back and stay on the path to healthy development by bridging the nutritional gaps,” said Dr Flores.