Fussy eaters are often zinc deficient
Let’s be honest, it can feel pretty frustrating and overwhelming at mealtimes when you’ve got a child that’s a picky eater 😏
Children that are picky eaters have been shown to have significantly lower zinc levels.
I’ve attached some of the scientific research in medical journals on this topics (see below).
Here’s the thing, zinc deficiency is way more common than you'd think.
Some of the most common signs of low/deficient zinc levels include:
😒Picky eating
🥣 Low appetite
👃Loss of taste/smell
🩹Slow wound healing and skin issues (such as eczema, psoriasis and asthma)
💇♀️Thinning hair or hair loss
📝 Brain fog
🌻Depression, anxiety and mood swings
Zinc is a key mineral for healthy appetite, brain health, mood regulation, healthy skin, healthy immune function, optimal gut health and wellness.
If you’ve got a picky eater then a great place to start is to increase protein sources as protein often contains good amounts of zinc.
👉Eating protein with EVERY meal and snack is ideal for the whole family.
If you have a child/teenager that is a fussy eater (or has gut issues, brain fog or anxiety), I’d recommend testing zinc levels (using a blood test or hair mineral test). This way we can identify if there’s low or deficient levels and correct them using food and appropriate supplementation, if needed. If you’d like to book in an initial consultation with me and discuss zinc testing, you can do so here
You can also look at increasing zinc-rich foods is a good way to go, including oysters (canned or capsules work well if fresh oysters is a no-go zone), beef, shellfish, chicken, pumpkin seeds, cashews and almonds.
Please know that this information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or a personal prescription. Do not make nutrition/lifestyle changes or take a supplement/homeopathic remedy without consulting a naturopath, homeopath and/or your health care provider. I cannot recommend a supplement/ homeopathic medicine you without a consultation with your full case history and medical history. For this reason, it is best to speak to your health practitioner or book an appointment with me.