- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 60 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees nutrition services, staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the "Mayo Clinic Diet" and the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many other Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and providing expert answers to nutrition questions.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She's active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Nutrition-wise blog
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Aug. 8, 2012
Advice about feeding grandchildren — OK to speak up?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
I'm a relatively new grandma of two granddaughters — one is 18 months old and one is 3 months old. Their mom and dad are juggling careers, keeping up the home front, and creating a wonderful family. We're fortunate to live close to one another and to be able to spend time together.
If you're a grandparent you probably know what I'm going to say next. Mealtimes with the grandchildren are an experience. My oldest granddaughter is at the finger-food stage, which is opening up all kinds of interesting family dynamics for mom and dad, and for grandma and grandpa.
I spent the first part of my career practicing pediatric nutrition and advising parents about the latest tips for nourishing their infants and children. However, this was back when I was single and childless. A number of years have since passed, and I have more experience and expertise.
Yet, it's interesting that now as a grandparent I find myself asking what my role in all of this should be. Here's what I've decided to do, at least for now:
- Let mom and dad be in charge.
- Give advice when asked.
- Offer advice privately when concerned.
This sounds good, but is hard to do. If you're a grandparent, I'm sure that you've been torn between speaking up and holding your tongue.
Here's where I broke my rules — the minute I saw one of my granddaughters pick up an uncut grape. I flew across the room and took charge. I lectured and destroyed that mealtime.
Although I got the message across, I wonder if my family will dare ask for my advice about nutrition for my precious grandchildren. I still think that my commitment to letting parents be in charge and giving advice when asked is good. I'll work harder on offering advice privately when I have a concern.
If you're a grandparent, what are your experiences and suggestions? If you're a parent, what do you say when a grandparent joins your family at the table?
By the way, here are some tips to prevent choking:
- Have preschoolers eat at the table, or at least while sitting down. Don't let them run, walk, play or lie down with food in their mouth.
- Keep a watchful eye on children while they eat.
- Cut food for preschoolers into pieces no larger than one-half inch and teach them to chew their food well.
- Slice hot dogs and sausages lengthwise.
- Cut meat and chicken across the grain into small pieces.
- Slice grapes, cherry tomatoes and other round foods in half.
- Cook carrots or celery sticks until slightly soft, grate them, or cut them into small pieces or thin matchsticks.
- Spread peanut butter thinly on bread or crackers. A thick glob of peanut butter can cause choking.
Best wishes,
Jennifer
11 comments posted
December 18, 2012 2:35 p.m.
I have learned my lesson the very hard way. Our 10 year old grandson is obese. We only see him a couple of times a year as they live in another state. The last time we visited them I was shocked at how much weight he had gained and then I saw him come home from school to eat several raw hotdogs for a snack. I watched as his parents let him eat cake, ice cream, candy and all kinds of chips. He was eating constantly and it was all very unhealthy foods. His mother has type II diabetes and is obese herself. I finally had seen enough and I voiced my concerns and told my daughter that I was extremely worried about my grandson's health as well as hers. I have not seen or heard from my daughter for nearly a year. I have no idea if she took anything I said to heart but, I am pretty sure nothing has changed in her household. Am I sorry I spoke up? I'm not sure, sometimes yes and sometimes no. Maybe I was too frank in my comments. I wanted to make an impression. I guess I failed all the way around. Just a word to the wise, sometimes you my risk more than you are prepared to loose if you speak up.
- Teresa
September 28, 2012 2:20 a.m.
What do you do when you (the mum) tries to eat healthy and feed my kids healthy and the grandparents thwart my attempts?! Now THAT is discouraging because naturally we look to our parents/PIL as good exaples and for good advice! We are going 'low carb' (we eat meat, fruit & veg, dairy products but NO pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, legumes, etc) and every time my MIL makes us a meal it's always french fries, pizza, cookies ('but they have oatmeal in them! and brown sugar, not white...' etc). And my FIL offers them COKE of all things to drink, it makes me WILD!! I was raised in America and have lived in France for nearly 6 years, and the French diet and mindset towards food is MUCH healthier than America's. So I have given up a lot of my bad eating habits and I feel MUCH better, and since we have cut sugar out of my kids diets - WOW - the difference it makes! They are like different kids, not angry anymore. Did you know that sugar is more addicting than COCAINE in lab tests? Sugar is an awful awful thing and causes NO END of health problems, mental problems, behavioral problems, you name it!! but how to convince the older generation of it I wish I knew. As for eating whole grapes - I didn't know that was dangerous, my 2 year old wolfs them down like candies!! Love these blogs.
- Cindy, France
August 31, 2012 1:30 p.m.
Advice from my MIL to me when my son was eighteen months was 'don't give him egg, it's not healthy for children' and from my FIL: 'why give him yoghurt, isn't yoghurt sour?' I took their comments lightly, and continued to give him a balanced diet with home prepared meals and snacks. I made his baby food at home. My own mother, very nutrition minded, was critical all through despite my utmost care. My son is now out of high school and is choosing to eat well. She is still critical that I'm not doing enough. I have appreciated good advice but there's a big difference when one sort of grandparent is ignorant of nutrition and the other sort is constantly critical.
- Susanne
August 17, 2012 7:47 a.m.
I've been in situations when I could have very easily given advice but I kept quiet. Regarding the choking when food is too large I would replace it with smaller pieces and just say they should try this size first. Overstepping my bounds but thinking of safety. Our first granddaughter was and still is a fussy eater. She is 5 now. When she was one and a half I introduced her to egg salad sandwiches which are her favourite. Her parents don't eat them but have often asked me to make them for her. I only wish I had tried more foods with her at that young age. Her baby sister now 10 months will eat anything put in front of her and I'm sure will continue to do so. She is always grabbing for whatever you are eating or drinking.What a difference from our first granddaughter. I think the parents are more relaxed with the second child which has made things easier. I do think that daughters and sons should remember that we as grandparents were parents first and we try to give "Good Advise"
- donna
August 16, 2012 6:33 a.m.
I don't think the below comments were disrespectful, I think they just bring home the point...parents will tend to be defensive when grandparents give unsolicited advice, yet we grandparents are also still parents, wanting our children to still learn from us and succeed! My daughter and her husband are both health conscience medical professionals. My daughter is a vegetarian, and is pregnant with my first grandchild. I have no qualms at all about questioning whether a piece of food is too big, but I trust their judgement on the type of food they'll serve. Humans can thrive on a very broad food range, and I'm frankly tired of all the stress put on parents over what to feed their kids. Common sense, not perfection, your kid will be fine.
- Susan
August 16, 2012 1:59 a.m.
My mother brought me up on a completely healthy veg diet as she knew was proper in her days and today I am 79yrs old.Following the same tradition and improvising from time to time as I continue learning from current information on nutrition and health,I have brought up my daughter who is 52yrs {married and away} and the son who is 49.He has two children,boy of 20 and daughter of 18.We are a one family living together. I have inculcated the practice of healthy eating in my grand children and my son and his wife have willingly allowed me to do so acknowledging my contribution to the way I brought him up.
- sagar
August 15, 2012 4:51 p.m.
I learned early on that any advice I gave; the opposite would be done. Taught me to keep my thoughts to myself. I know they will have health problems later on in life because of their diet but I can't help them. I won't be here to see them when they get older. Probably depends on the in law you get but safer to be quiet until asked for advice.
- Mary Ann
August 15, 2012 11:39 a.m.
Boy can I relate to all sides here! I am a mother/grandmother/nutritionist. Yes, the parents are "in charge." However, whether it be my own grandchild or just a "random kid" I'd see at a park, I think I might want to say something (as gently as possible, understand) if I saw a toddler walking around with uncut grapes, large hot dog pieces, etc. I'd do the same if that child picked up a "choking hazard" toy. On other food choices, yes, the parents need to be given as much autonomy as possible. If they want to go vegetarian or if they want to stop at MacDonalds three times a week, I need to be a "quiet grandma." However, when they come to my house, we will plan to have the most attractive, most healthful options possible. (I will admit, I am blessed with grandchildren who ALL love broccoli and, while still under 10, sometimes crave sushi or a good vegetable curry. Makes the nutrition side pretty easy when your kids are also working on keeping the nutrition levels high!)
- hl
August 15, 2012 11:39 a.m.
I have learned the hard way, to keep my mouth shut. My DIL, a pediatrician, is a vegetarian. It bothers me to see my grandchildren eat only a salad with no protein on it for dinner--they are 7 and 9. I have learned to make meals at my home meal-optional. The kids usually dive into the meat. My son eats meat, but has learned not to push the issue in order to have a "happy" home. I am also careful to make dishes that my DIL will eat. However, at a recent summer dinner she "pigged out" on BBQ pork! It's a new age--not one I am totally thrilled about.
- Leslie
August 13, 2012 5:38 p.m.
Young woman I don't understand your anger at the woman you just spoke so rudely to.She was in No way telling you or anyone how to raise their children.She was just a concerned grand parent and what grand parents should and shouldn't do.Seems you have a chip on your shoulder girl. And remember you are going to become a grand parent yourself some day.I sure hope you don't pass your disrespect of your elders on to your children. I feel sorry for children They just don't have a chance .
- Dolores
August 8, 2012 7:56 a.m.
I understand that you have special training in the area of pediatric nutrition but it sounds a bit pretentious when you say you "let them be in charge". They are THEIR children... they ARE in charge. You may need to take a step back. As a new mom myself I ask friends who are mothers or my mom or mother in law if/when I want to know how they did something to compare notes but there is nothing I hate more than unsolicited advice. Nobody "lets me" be in charge of my baby. I am her mother. You had your time to raise your kids... now "let" them raise theirs.
- damzlfly
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