Paediatric dietitian Dr. Kyla Smith has sparked a lively debate over her assertion that a meal consisting of fish fingers, buttered bread, and ketchup can be considered nutritious for children. Based in Perth, Dr. Smith frequently shares insights on the nutritional content of common foods to help parents navigate dietary choices for their children.
In a recent post, Dr. Smith emphasized that meals do not need to be elaborate to provide essential nutrients. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even if your child is deep in the beige stage, they are still getting enough,” she stated. This particular post was part of her ongoing series highlighting the nutritional value of everyday supermarket items.
The response to her post was mixed, with many followers expressing concern that such suggestions might normalize the consumption of processed foods high in sugar. Addressing the backlash, Dr. Smith told 7NEWS, “It’s really easy to throw criticism at people but in today’s world, it’s so hard to be a parent,” highlighting the challenges faced by modern families.
Dr. Smith aims to empower parents to feel confident in their choices regarding their children’s diets. She offers tailored meal programs designed to address various stages of the feeding process. “I’m not recommending serving your child fish fingers every night for dinner,” she clarified. “The point of the post was to highlight that eating these types of foods as part of a balanced diet is OK.”
She emphasized that regular supermarket food can be perfectly adequate for children’s growth and development. “Everything in moderation is fine — it’s about a balanced approach to eating,” she added.
In fact, Dr. Smith noted that dining out as a family, including visits to fast food establishments like McDonald’s, can offer positive experiences. “Food can teach us to share,” she explained. “Eating together as a family is a social experience. It can create good, positive memories.”
After receiving criticism, Dr. Smith later updated her post to stress that “all foods have nutritional value.” With 15 years of experience helping parents, she understands the complexities of feeding children. As a mother to two daughters, Elsie (7) and Cleo (4), she knows firsthand the struggles parents face, including limited time, overwhelming information, and the challenge of managing picky eaters.
“Fussy eating is very common,” Dr. Smith noted, explaining that children often go through phases where their appetites and food preferences can change frequently. One prevalent myth is that children must consume a full, balanced meal at every sitting. “What matters more is their overall intake over a week — not necessarily each individual day,” she said.
Dr. Smith also cautioned against pressuring children to finish their plates. She warned that forcing children to eat can create negative associations with food and disrupt their natural hunger cues. “We can raise our children to respect their bodies and trust their hunger,” she advised. “It’s not always easy in our diet-obsessed culture, but it is possible.”
Through her expertise and personal experience, Dr. Smith continues to guide families in fostering healthy attitudes toward food. Her insights remind parents that flexibility and understanding are crucial in nurturing a positive relationship with eating.
