Fats for fussy eaters

People who think about weight loss often becomes obsessed about fat. However, if we have a fussy eater who is not eating widely and well, fat is rarely on the radar.

Even if our child is in our mind ‘skinny’ or not growing at the rate we expect or we’re just concerned that they are not getting enough nutrients, fat is not top of mind.

However, fat is one of the essential macro-nutrients our body needs. In fact for children it should make up 20–35% of total energy intake. Toddlers and infants need even more than that.

Why does our body need fat?

Fat intake is critically important for all of us:

1. Essential fatty acids — essential nutrients are those our body cannot make. We need to consume these to provide the body with what it requires.

2. Energy — fatty acids are converted into energy in our body. If we don’t consume enough fat the body can break down other things like muscle mass to release energy.

3. Cell health — each cell in our body is coated in fat and needs it to function optimally. What we eat helps build cells. We really are what we eat!

4. Brain health — our brain is the fattiest organ in the body. It is 60% fat so needs those fatty acids to build it and keep it functioning optimally. Enough fats also help with…