Food faddism in pediatrics.

An understanding of the nutritional requirements of healthy, growing infants and children is required to guide parents in appropriate feeding practices which are consistent with their chosen life styles. Among the several prevalent types of food faddism are some that are not harmful or can beneficial, such as breast-feeding, others than can be of long-term benefit but that have limitations in infants and children, and others that can affect infants and children adversely. Those wishing to feed their children unconventional diets should have such diets carefully evaluated to avoid deficiencies of essential nutrients.