Flavoring Supplements

Flavoring supplements often becomes necessary for many caregivers of children who refuse supplementation without added flavoring. For many underweight children or picky eaters, their primary source of nutrition is from liquid supplementation. For a child who refuses the formula because of its taste, flavoring supplements becomes the only way a child will accept it. Many pediatric supplements come in kid friendly flavors that most children enjoy, but some specialty formulas, although they may try to come in flavors such as vanilla or berry, taste terrible precisely because they are a specialty formula. So what can a parent do if her child is on a specialty formula he can’t stand? Flavor it! By getting a little creative with flavorings many formulas can become tolerable. Just be careful the flavoring is safe for your child and try to find sugar free, low calorie options. Although this may sound ridiculous since your main goal is give your child as many calories as possible, however most pediatric formulas contain 30 calories per ounce in a formulation that appropriately distributes carbohydrate, protein and fat, and to go above 30 calories per ounce may stress your child’s organs and possibly cause dehydration. There are formulas out there that contain 45 calories per ounce as well, however they are to be given under the guidance of a physician and are usually safe due to the formulation. Listed below are some suggestions for flavoring supplements. This is not an exhaustive list, so if you come up with different ways to flavor your child’s formula and the doctor gives you the go ahead, go for it! Ask your doctor about all the ptions below as well, to make sure it is safe for your child.

• Kool-Aid

• Sugar Free coffee syrups

• Sugar free chocolate, vanilla and strawberry syrup OR a very small amount of regular syrups

• Ginger

• Cocoa powder

• Imitation vanilla extract

• Imitation lemon extract

• Cinnamon

• Pumpkin pie spice

• Nutmeg

• Ovaltine (1-2 tsp)

Please note this list is NOT to flavor infant formulas. Infants do not usually need flavorings added to supplements because taste buds are very immature. Since they haven't been exposed to other flavors baby formula tastes great to babies. It can also be dangerous to add flavorings to infant formulas so this is not recommended without strict guidance from a physician.

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