2 year old diet?

Hello, new to this forum.   I have a two year old daughter (almost 2 1/2) who weighs 50 lbs.  I have an appointment at the end of the month with an endocronologist per my pediatrician, then reviewing blood work etc. with pediatrician afterwards.   My question is that I want to start NOW on a correct diet for her age.  Does anyone know the amount of calories, fruits, veg etc. she should have on a daily basis?  Also is splenda a good choice for children?   She has had bad food allergies her whole life and was put on special formula (Neocate) at 1 month of age and besides apple juice and water, she has had bad reactions to other fluids.   I did take her to an allergist and she is allergic to peanuts and eggs but he said she is no longer allergic to milk.  Blood test said milk is an allergy, but skin tests said it is not (however she has bad diaper rash after eating milk products and "sometimes" breaks out on her face when eating milk products).  Additional tests will be done over the next few years.  But the doctor told me "she is over weight and needs to loose weight" .  Well duh but HOW do you do this -no diet nothing from him, just said to go back to pediatrician. I just want to do what is best for her and need an education myself and for my husband.  Thanks for any info you may have (or maybe a referral to another forum?) I had the lap band myself a year ago and have lost weight, but don't want to see her go through this.  I also have 2 older children who were "chubby" as toddlers but very active and healthy bmi's now as teenagers.  -Ruth

Hi Ruth- My son is 30 mos old and he just had his 2 1/2 yr checkup too. He's 46.8 lbs. My pedi said splenda based sweetners are fine... just nothing else sweetner wise. I asked a long time ago (he was 1) if it was ok because all I keep in the house is splenda based stuff for me to snack on. I can't be tempted with that sugary stuff and you know kids... they want whatever you are shoveling in YOUR mouth! LOL My pedi didn't say too much about the weight. He's 37" tall. He did say that I better watch him because he's leading down the chubby path and I so don't want to do that to him. As of his appt, I cut out all his liquid juices except for once a day at school (he was taking almost 16 oz a day) The pedi said no more than 8 oz of juice a day. He likes water sometimes and I've been making Koolaide with splenda when he asks for juice. I give him chocolate milk (no sugar added syrup) because the pedi wants him to have 24 oz of 1% milk a day and he wont drink it plain- not even in cereal. He said 2 fruit servings and 3 veggies but he usually has 3 and 3. It might be in your best interest to see a pediatric nutritionist now, especially since she has such bad food allergies. Anyway... the real reason I posted a response was to refer you to the post op parenting board here on OH. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/parenting/posts.html I understand they are becoming more active again (I used to go on a lot a while back- now my OH home of choice is the post op pregnancy board) Hope that helps =o) -Janine

I would think if she's breaking out around the mouth when she drinks milk, she's allergic to it. You are at a good time in her life though because she won't remember anything 10 years down the road but eating healthy.

I don't think that an artificial sweetener is good for any child or adult. With her allergies, I think you do need to consult a pediatric nutritionist if possible. If not, talk to her MD and see if soy milk is an option for her. Here's a link to a website that gives excellent advice as to what and how to feed her (http://www.aafp.org/afp/20061101/1527.html).

Exercise should not be overlooked, especially at this young an age. Here are two websites that offer good information: (a) http://www.fitnessforyouth.umich.edu/frames/frameset_parents.html; and (b) http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/fitness.htm

Hope this helps!