Additional information
Every child’s nutritional needs are different, but there are some simple ways to help them eat well, grow strong, and enjoy food. Explore our tips, videos, and resources below.
Fussy Eating in Children
Fussy or picky eating is common, especially in toddlers. Most of the time it is just a phase, but it can be stressful when children refuse food.
Watch our video to learn:
- What fussy eating is
- Why it happens
- How to help your child
See a Dietitian if your child:
- Avoids whole food groups
- Follows a special diet
- Has growth or nutritional concerns
Food Fortification – Making the Most of Every Bite
Why energy and protein matter
- Energy (calories) helps the body grow, heal, and function.
- Protein supports growth and recovery from illness.
Encouraging variety
All children should eat a variety of foods to get enough energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
When your child may need extra
A high-protein, high-energy diet may be needed if your child:
- Has slowed growth
- Has lost weight
- Has a low appetite, especially after illness
Watch our video for tips on making the most of every bite through food fortification.
Enteral Tube Feeding
What it is
- Enteral tube feeding delivers nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract.
- Oral feeding is preferred, but sometimes a tube is needed to meet nutritional needs.
Decision-making
- Placement of a feeding tube is decided by a multi-disciplinary team.
Watch our video to learn about:
- Why tube feeding is sometimes needed
- Different methods of tube feeding
- Practical tips for enteral feeding
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
What is a healthy lifestyle?
- Eating and drinking well
- Active play and exercise
- Good rest and sleep
- Balanced screen time
- Time spent with others
Start anytime
It’s never too late to introduce healthy habits.
Lead by example
- Children learn from parents and carers
- Make changes together as a family to increase acceptance
Watch our videos
- Positive lifestyle habits: diet and exercise
- Guidance on child and adolescent overweight or obesity
Gluten-Free Diet for Coeliac Disease
Living with coeliac disease
- Requires following a strict gluten-free diet
- Changes how you shop, cook, and eat out
Watch our video to learn about:
- What coeliac disease is and its symptoms
- What gluten is and what “gluten-free” means
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced gluten-free diet
- Managing cross-contamination at home and eating out
- Reading food labels
Carbohydrate Counting for Type 1 Diabetes
Understanding type 1 diabetes
- The body stops making insulin, which helps sugar enter cells for energy
- Sugar comes from breaking down carbohydrate foods
Managing diabetes
- Blood sugar rises without insulin
- Insulin treatment is needed
- There is no special diet—healthy, balanced meals are best for the whole family
Counting carbohydrates
- Helps know which foods need insulin and how much
- Provides flexibility in food choices and better blood sugar control
Watch our video for a step-by-step guide to carbohydrate counting.
How to Read Allergy Information on Food Labels
Why it matters
- Reading labels is essential for children with allergies
- EU and Irish law requires 14 common allergens to be declared
Tips for reading labels
- Look for allergens highlighted in the ingredients list
- Your child’s allergen may not be one of the 14 read all ingredients
Diet and the Kidneys
How kidneys work
- Kidneys make urine and remove waste
- Part of the urinary system: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
Diet tips
- Kidneys have five main jobs; diet may need adjustment if kidney function is affected
- Your Dietitian can guide you on suitable foods
Watch our videos
- How kidneys work
- Limiting salt for kidney health
Metabolic diet
Emergency diet plan
- Children with metabolic disorders (MSUD, GA-1, Urea Cycle) need extra care when ill
- Illness can release harmful substances into the blood
- Tailored emergency diet plans help keep children safe and healthy
Reading protein labels
- Many metabolic conditions require:
- Low-protein diet
- Amino acid supplements
- Special low-protein foods
- Low-protein diet
- Dietetic team supports reading labels and choosing suitable foods
Watch our videos
- Emergency diet plan guidance
- Reading protein information on food labels