What do you think of the Carnation Instant Breakfast drink? My 11 year old son has always been on the small side (10th percentile for height and weight). At his last check up, we didn't get to see his regular doctor and the one we saw suggested that he drink Carnation Instant Breakfast. He actually suggested TWICE a day, which we aren't doing because he isn't a big eater to begin with so we don't want him to be too full to eat food! We are, however, having him drink one once a day. He usually has it in the evening as an evening snack, or sometimes he has one after school.
I was prepared to cringe at a slew of healthy eaters telling me not to give this to him, so I am sooooooooooooo happy to see so many of you recommend it!! As for the one mom who compared it to eating french fries, the Carnation has vitamins and protein and caleries-- and is mixed with fresh milk. Thanks again for everyone's input. So far, he likes it and sometimes adds peanut butter to it, or some chocolate syrup to the vanilla one, and my daughter (who is also petite) has started drinking them, too.
Hi Tammi,
Please let me know how it works for you. My daughter is autistic and a very poor eater most of the time. I have her on Ovaltine twice a day, but her doc also suggested the Carnation instant breakfast (she is tall and thin).
I want to second Elena B on this one. Carnation is the ultimate "processed food," and I think we can all agree that as Americans we eat and feed our children way too many processed foods. Plus, I read the ingredient list and, personally it is not something I would give my child. I mean once or twice in a pinch, okay but that much sugar (and other funky ingredients) twice a day, no way. Especially when there are so many alternatives like yummy, super healthy smoothies, that are very easy and will help to make him healthier, not just bigger. One thing you might want to try is Jay Robb's Whey protein. Quality product and very tasty. I get mine at Whole Foods, but have ordered it online before. There are so many healthy alternatives out there, I would just do a little searching before putting him on such a product.
I love my pediatrition, and he is great with fevers, bumps, bruises, broken bones, rashes, etc, but always keep in mind that medical students get on average less than 25 hours of nutritional education while in med school. I read this statistic in a medical journal and was floored!! That being said, I generally take a dr's nutritional advice with a grain of salt. Good luck! Go with your intuition, you will make the right choice for your family!
my son drinks ensure for the same reason....he seems to like the chocolate best!! I say go for it.....whatever helps him grow!
I would make sure all the food he eats is very nutritious and calorie dence and not give him something loaded with horrible and/or artifisial ingredients. I cannot believe the doctors here... why doesnt he suggest giving him fries 5 times per day? The point is for a child to be healthy, not heavy at the expence of health. Check out a book called Nurishing Traditions, is has so much about nutrition, calorie dense foods, health and tons of recipes! Or check out http://www.westonaprice.org/ ----the site has so much info on nutrition for children. Good luck!
here is the list of the ingredients, with sugar being the second ingredient, and lots of artificial flawors...and no fat ( which children need for proper growth and brain development-good fat ofcourse)
http://www.elderdepot.com/catalog/product_639_Carnation_I...
I would just make him a shake with whole milk ( or sub), fresh/frozen beries or fruit, some spinach or other greens, some coconut and or flax seed oil, oatmeal, wheat germ and almond butter...plus minus some ingredients. This would take 2 minutes to make, will be much more nutritious, tasty and healthy. But that is just me... i am sure you will do your best.
also, keep in ming that choc, and coffee flavours contain caffeeine---not the best thing for a child trying to gain weight.
Hi Tammi! Well, I am usually one for the natural alternative to anything...but I don't see the harm in using the Carnation. I would have to go to the store and look at the nutritional content and ingredient list, but without seeing that, I would say go for it. I was a really skinny kid, and my mom had me drink it as well. My daughter is petite, so the dr has her drink pediasure. We are vegetarians, and very mindful of healthy eating. It killed me to, at first, give her something with sugar to that extent...but it offers her good protein as well as vitamins and minerals. I would view the CIB the same way. You are mixing it with milk, so he will get additional protein. I am guessing it is the most calorie dense beverage there is, with some nutritional benefit. Maybe try it for a month, and see what happens. Offer it during snack, or after dinner. See if the increased sugar causes and behavioral issues. The increase in calories might even increase his appetite, once his body gets used to it. Good luck!
My four year old daughter has always been on the smaller side. Her doctors recommended the same thing. However, I felt the same as you. If they fill up on liquids, they won't have enough room for real food. I started my daughter on one cup of ovaltine in afternoons with her snack as well. I've been doing this for about two years, however, if she has eaten well all day and the day before, I will skip the ovaltine. I don't want her to think it's a must have. Good luck with whatever your decision is and prayerfully your son will put some weight on BUT the important thing is whether or not he is healthy and not necessarily what the scales say.
These drinks are usually recomended for picky eaters. They are supplements to make sure kids get their daily dose of vitamins, which they might not be getting from food. If it doen't help, it won't hurt either.
Hmm. I don't think there's any harm in it, so long as it doesn't interfere with him eating actual food with good nutrition in it - which you mentioned you are already mindful of. But, if he has always been smaller... the growth chart thing is to watch for changes in their growth: i.e., he goes from 50 percentile in height to 20 percentile. Or so I've always been lead to believe. If he's always been 10th percentile, I don't think it means you need to change anything.
I use it for my littlest one. It tastes much better than the pedia-sure. You don't have to make it "full-strength" and you might be able to get him to drink it 2x's a day that way. My pediatrician made the same recommendation. I have not really noticed much in the way of weight gain, but it is a few extra calories with some nurtitive value. I would try to get him to eat more frequent snacks first if you are really concerned about him gaining weight. One of my children has always been a low percentile, but I wouldn't be concerned unless he dips down or plateaus.
Hi, Tammi. Well, I think you're right -- giving him the Carnation drink once a day should be sufficient so that he has some appetite for everything else. This drink has some vitamins, so it might actually increase his appetite somewhat. You could give him both at the same time because the instant breakfast doesn't have a whole lot of vitamins. You could also give him Ensure or a comparable drink. You can try smoothies, too, if you are worried about the artificial ingredients in the instant breakfast. Peanut butter and even ice cream will help bulk him up somewhat, but don't load him down with sugar calories because he can actually lose weight if he has a very quick metabolism.
He may need more B vitamins, though, and drinking the extra sugar might not help that. If you can get him to take kids' vitamins, that can gradually help his appetite. What he needs to do is eat enough of a balance between proteins and fats so that he can build muscle and a healthy body mass. All kids need some fat reserve so that they can have healthy nervous systems.
I hope everything works OK just fine for your son.
Peace,
Syl
My brothers were very active and athletic growing up and they drank that stuff every day...they are both very healthy and in their 40's now:)
My brother was very active in sports growing up and could never keep on any weight. His coaches suggested the instant breakfast and he would drink at least two a day as well. Ii does tend to give you some energy from so I am not sure about giving it at night. See if he is waking up more through the night or having more trouble going to sleep. Another thing, watch out for loose stools. Good luck!
I used to drink that when I was in high school...no time for a healthy breakfast, so slug it down...I think your doctor is concerned about calorie intake, which is so important at your son's age...It's probably better for him than the products on the market today, filled with sugar or worse, aspartame, and caffeine. Is he on a multivitamin? Will he eat fruit? My boys love smoothies, which I make with fresh fruit, plain yogurt and apple juice. When they were little I made popsicles from the smoothie. If he's petite, then so be it, there's no need to worry about his stature. Just be concerned about his brain development and calorie intake, exercise and good health all around. And lots of love all around
Hi. Carnation Instant Breakfast does work. He probably should have it twice a day just because he is a little on the small side. Perhaps, after his breakfast you could give it to him and then the other one in the evening as you have been doing. It isn't going to hurt him, they just want to see him put on a little wieght. It will probably add an extra 5 pounds to his slim body.
Hi Tammi,
There is also kids' Ensure which comes in different flavors and is yummy. I would suggest you compare the ingredients. Even though the Ensure is more expensive, it is lactose and gluten free and contains vitamins. The instant breakfast uses milk. Does your son have any food allergies that contribute to his being thin/small? Also, you could lightly freeze either drink so it has more of a milk shake texture.
