Balanced Nutrition for Picky Eaters | PediaSure Complete 3+

Managing Picky Eating in Children with PediaSure Nutritional Drinks


4 min read

By Pediasure®

Fact Checked by Pediasure®

30 09, 2025

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Picky eating is a common struggle for parents, especially when it impacts their child’s growth and nutrition. 1 If you have a child who refuses to eat certain foods or entire food groups, you know how frustrating mealtime can become. Fortunately, PediaSure provides a solution by offering essential nutrients that children might be missing due to selective eating.

If your child isn’t getting the nutrition they need from food, PediaSure offers an easy solution to fill those gaps. 2 With its well-rounded formula, PediaSure provides essential nutrients that help children thrive, even when their food choices are limited.

What is Picky Eating?

Picky eating typically refers to children who are selective or hesitant to eat certain foods. Whether it's refusing to try vegetables or only eating a specific kind of pasta, picky eating can disrupt the balanced diet children need to grow healthy and strong.3

There are several reasons why children become picky eaters (4, 5, 6):

Taste Preferences

Children’s taste buds are still developing, making them sensitive to certain textures and flavors. 4

Psychological Factors

Mealtimes can become power struggles between children and parents, leading to resistance. 5

Growth Spurts

During certain stages of development, children’s appetites may fluctuate, contributing to selective eating habits. 6

Nutritional Gaps in Picky Eaters

When a child refuses certain food groups, they might miss out on crucial vitamins and minerals. Key nutrients often lacking in picky eaters include (7, 8, 9):

   1. Iron:

Vital for cognitive development. 7

   2. Calcium:

Important for bone growth. 8

   3. Vitamin D:

Helps with calcium absorption and immunity. 9

These deficiencies can lead to long-term health issues, impacting growth and overall well-being.

Supplementing Your Picky Eater with PediaSure

When your child isn’t eating enough or getting the necessary nutrients, PediaSure serves as an easy fix. It provides a balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats tailored to children’s needs. Whether it’s used as a meal replacement or supplement, PediaSure is a reliable way to bridge the nutritional gap. 10

PediaSure 3+ vs PediaSure 10+

When it comes to ensuring that your child receives the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development, PediaSure offers different formulations tailored to meet the needs of various age groups. Two popular options are PediaSure 3+ and PediaSure 10+. While both provide comprehensive nutrition, they are designed for different stages of childhood, with distinct nutritional focuses.

PediaSure 3+ is specially formulated for toddlers and preschoolers aged three years and older. This stage is crucial for early development, as children are becoming more active and their nutritional needs are evolving. 11 Here are some key features of PediaSure 3+ (12, 13, 14, 15):

Balanced Nutrition

PediaSure 3+ provides a well-rounded mix of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that support healthy growth during these formative years. 12

Immune Support

It includes antioxidants and essential nutrients that help strengthen the immune system, which is vital for young children who are often exposed to new environments, such as preschool. 13

Digestive Health

With prebiotics and fiber, this formulation supports healthy digestion, helping to ensure that toddlers absorb the nutrients they consume effectively. 14

Appealing Taste

Designed with younger palates in mind, PediaSure 3+ comes in flavors that are often more appealing to younger children, making it easier for parents to incorporate into their diets. 15

PediaSure 10+, on the other hand, is formulated for older children aged ten years and above. This stage marks significant physical and cognitive development as kids transition into their pre-teen years. 16 The unique attributes of PediaSure 10+ include (17, 18, 19, 20):

Higher Protein Content

As children grow, their protein requirements increase to support muscle development and overall growth. PediaSure 10+ is designed with a higher protein concentration to meet these demands. 17

Enhanced Nutritional Profile

This formulation contains a broader range of vitamins and minerals that cater to the changing nutritional needs of pre-teens, including increased levels of calcium and vitamin D for bone health. 18

Energy Support

PediaSure 10+ provides a source of energy to fuel the active lifestyles of older children, which is essential during a time of increased physical activity and growth spurts. 19

Taste Preferences for Older Kids

The flavors in PediaSure 10+ are tailored to appeal to older children, helping to encourage consistent consumption. 20

How to Include PediaSure in Your Child’s Diet

Incorporating PediaSure into your child’s diet is simple. Here are a few tips:

As a Snack

Use PediaSure as a mid-morning or afternoon snack.

With Breakfast

Blend it into smoothies with fruits for a nutrient-rich start to the day.

During Meals

Serve it alongside meals to add extra nutrition.

By integrating PediaSure into your child’s daily routine, you can feel more confident that they’re receiving the nutrients they need. You can check out our recipes for more fun ways to incorporate PediaSure into your child’s daily diet. 21

Why Balanced Nutrition is Key to Growth

Children need a balanced diet to support their growth and development. Poor nutrition can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and cognitive delays. 22 By ensuring your child receives the right balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, you are setting them up for long-term success.

For parents dealing with picky eaters, PediaSure is a simple, effective solution to ensure kids get the nutrients they need. By providing essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins, it bridges the gap between what your child eats and what they need for healthy growth and development. With PediaSure in your pantry, you can stop worrying about picky eating and start enjoying mealtime again.

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