Aoife Hearne

Sign in

Aoife Hearne: My child's lunchbox comes home from school unopened

#Aoife Hearne

Registered dietitian

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Aoife Hearne: Eating habits are heavily influenced by environment. Picture: iStock</p>

parenting

Aoife Hearne: My child loved his vegetables but now refuses to eat them

What one was a normal part of their diet is now a source of discomfort, what can I do?

3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot

Aoife Hearne: My Leaving Cert child is picking at his food and not eating meals

3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot

Aoife Hearne: My exam teens don't want to eat full meals

3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot

Aoife Hearne: How do I talk to my teen about her weight gain and snacking habits?

3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot

Aoife Hearne: My children have lost interest in the free school meals. What do you suggest?

3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot

My teen follows a strict high-protein diet but I'm worried about his weekend eating habits

Little girl enjoying a lollipop on a winter city street with warm lights

Should I put my children on a sugar detox?

Rather than focusing on exclusion, shift to thinking about the frequency and portions of each that are being consumed

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Pink pastel candy background

Aoife Hearne: Clubs rewarding children with sweets are being irresponsible

We have to teach our children how to eat them in small quantities and take the power away from forbidden foods.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

A sleepy teenager lazily eats porridge early in the morning

Aoife Hearne: My teen won’t eat unless I put food in front of him

The teenage years are a time of exponential growth, and more often than not, they are accompanied by a strong appetite. While appetite fluctuations are normal, especially as exercise levels reduce, a sudden and abrupt drop off in appetite is unusual and warrants further investigation.

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Pregnant woman feeling sick.

Aoife Hearne: Eight weeks pregnant and nauseous most of the time

Are there any specific foods that can alleviate the sickness and boost my energy levels?

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Baby eating mother's milk. Mother breastfeeding baby.

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried about giving formula milk to my baby

Research suggests that breast milk has a favourable influence on the infant's gut and microbiome, which protects against the development of allergies. The majority of research focuses on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

cute baby girl eating

Aoife Hearne: What is the best way to start my colicky baby on solid foods?

"Introducing solids is a milestone for young children and comes with a mixture of excitement and anxiety for parents. I’m glad to hear that you’re waiting until your daughter is six months old before starting."

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Little girl sitting on sofa and touching painful belly with arms at living room. Child suffering from stomach ache at home.

Aoife Hearne: Has my child inherited coeliac disease from her grandad?

Should I eliminate all gluten products from her diet? Or does she need to be tested?

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Little girl eating cereal with milk

Aoife Hearne: The smallest worry puts my daughter off food — what can I do?

Stress and anxiety can affect our eating behaviours. While we generally associate chronic stress with increased food intake and frequency of eating, acute stress can have the opposite effect

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Studio portrait of a blonde teen girl in a yellow t-shirt on a beige background

Aoife Hearne: What can my teen do to strengthen her brittle nails?

Nails that split, peel, or break easily are common complaints that can often reflect dietary inadequacies

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Aoife Hearne: My teen's folate levels are low — is there a supplement to take?

Aoife Hearne: My teen's folate levels are low — is there a supplement to take?

When someone has a folate deficiency, it causes the body to produce abnormally large blood cells that cannot function properly. And since red blood cells transport oxygen around the body, folate deficiency can lead to extreme tiredness and lack of energy

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Teenage girl drinking a glass of milk at home

Aoife Hearne: My teenage daughter has switched to low-fat milk

"Consuming enough energy from varied food sources is essential. All the macronutrient groups (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) play an important role in health and sporting performance."

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025

Teenage boy exercising in a gym

Aoife Hearne: How much protein should I give my gym-going teen?

"Gone are the days when young men were aiming for a six-pack — the goal now is a virtually unattainable eight-pack. The drive to have muscles that would put Hercules to shame is undoubtedly trickling down to our younger male teens."

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Boy sitting at the dining room table and eating breakfast in bowl

Aoife Hearne: My son has lost his appetite following virus

"Your son’s appetite will return, so be patient. Offer small and frequent meals and snacks throughout the day, and don’t be afraid to let him take the lead with the foods he finds appealing right now."

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Crying Baby Suffering Through Pain of Teething

Aoife Hearne: How can I help my teething baby who is refusing to eat?

It is normal for a baby’s appetite and interest in food to change while they are teething

Tue, 06 Aug, 2024

Weight scale

Aoife Hearne: My pre-teen son wants to lose weight

It is normal for children to gain some weight around 13, before they stretch during puberty

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Upset toddler refuses to eat healthy meal because she is a picky eater

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried about my child who only wants to eat beige foods

"Vegetables and fruit are important for health at all ages, particularly for children as they grow. However, they are often sticking points for little ones, many of whom struggle with their taste and texture."

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Healthy school lunch

Aoife Hearne: How can I encourage my son to eat his lunch?

"Just when children move out of the food refusal stage, they experience the conflict between eating or playing at school. It’s not unusual for children to pick playing over eating most of the time."

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Aoife Hearne: Can a child drink too much milk?

Aoife Hearne: Can a child drink too much milk?

While milk is a wholesome addition to any diet, it is critical we have variety in what we eat, and it’s no different for children. It is not unusual for children to be picky with the foods they eat at all ages, particularly up to the age of five

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Breakfast

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried about my starchy pregnancy diet

Could my poor diet be affecting my baby's development?

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Breakfast

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried about my starchy pregnancy diet

Could my poor diet be affecting my baby's development?

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Woman refusing plate of white bread offered by a person.

Aoife Hearne: My teenage daughter wants to eat gluten-free foods, is it safe for her?

Some gluten-free foods seem to be highly processed

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023

Girl drinking glass of milk

Aoife Hearne: What is the best source of calcium for a lactose-intolerant child?

"When we eat lactose our body uses an enzyme called lactase to break apart this two-sugar molecule and make it easier to digest. For some, the body does not produce enough of this all-important enzyme, which leads to pain, discomfort and bloating when they eat lactose-rich food."

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Young girl in pajamas sleepwear. Morning weak up concept

Aoife Hearne: My teenage daughter's heavy periods drain her energy

"The biggest risk with heavy periods is that you can develop anaemia, specifically iron-deficiency anaemia - this happens when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body..."

Wed, 30 Aug, 2023

Young man suffering from stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, indigestion, nausea

Aoife Hearne: My teenage son feels bloated after eating

"Gut symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel habits can be symptomatic of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but also of a far more serious autoimmune condition, coeliac disease."

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

A baby with a milk bottle

Aoife Hearne: Baby’s intolerance to milk could be an allergy

"What your baby can drink at one year old will depend if she has been diagnosed with lactose intolerance or cow’s milk protein allergy"

Tue, 04 Jul, 2023

Child is very unhappy with having to eat vegetables.

Aoife Hearne: My three-year-old is refusing to eat his vegetables

"Many parents struggle when they see the vegetables left behind, but the more you draw attention to it, the lower the chances your child will eat them."

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Young woman eating a salad.

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried my vegan teenage daughter is not eating properly

According to a 2021 Bord Bia survey, approximately 2% to 4% of the Irish population identifies as vegan - while this figure may seem low, it’s an increase from previous years.

Wed, 10 May, 2023

Close-up Of Biracial Toddler Drinking Orange Juice

Aoife Hearne: What can I do to ensure my child does not get dental cavities?

My three-year-old has dental cavities. The dentist blames the cartons of fruit juice I gave him at lunchtime. What can I do to ensure his permanent teeth are healthy?

Tue, 11 Apr, 2023

View Looking Out From Inside Of Refrigerator As Woman Opens Door And Unpacks Shopping Bag Of Food

Aoife Hearne: What can I dish up when I'm too tired to cook?

"Feeding families is not easy — the key to success is to be realistic with our cooking goals."

Wed, 15 Mar, 2023

a model boy posing on gray background

Aoife Hearne: How can I help my three-year-old who suffers from constipation?

"For more than 90% of children the cause is “functional” rather than a structural or a medical issue. It is commonly triggered by an event such as a child associating pain or discomfort with a bowel movement which then develops into a chronic situation."

Wed, 22 Feb, 2023

Fried eggs with tomatoes

Aoife Hearne: Is there a healthy alternative to a fried breakfast?

Eggs are a versatile breakfast option and have a lot to offer

Wed, 18 Jan, 2023

Teenager boy wearing yellow t-shirt over isolated background looking stressed and nervous with hands on mouth biting nails. Anxi

Aoife Hearne: My son eats lots of dairy but has brittle nails, what else should we do?

"Our nails are primarily made of the protein keratin - protein is essential for growth and repair, so it plays a vital role in all our cells."

Wed, 21 Dec, 2022

Close up mouth of child biting green apple, isolated over white background. Copy space.

Aoife Hearne: Do I need to give my children a supplement?

Eating a wide variety of foods that provide vitamins and minerals is key to maintaining a high-functioning immune system

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Cute baby girl enjoying being fed and watered in a high chair

Aoife Hearne: How can I wean my baby onto solid foods?

Introducing solids for all infants is a gradual process with the goal that by 12 months, the baby is eating family foods

Wed, 26 Oct, 2022

Trying To Get a Young Girl to Eat Her Greens

Aoife Hearne: I'm worried my child will turn into a fussy eater

Wed, 28 Sep, 2022

Happy child girl eating vegetables. Healthy nutrition for kids

Aoife Hearne: Top tips to make mealtimes less challenging

Here are some tips to help create a plan that works for your family and reduce how many meals you cook each evening.

Wed, 31 Aug, 2022

Pump action: Aoife Hearne on how to continue breastfeeding after you return to work

Pump action: Aoife Hearne on how to continue breastfeeding after you return to work

By expressing milk it’s possible to continue breastfeeding when you return to work, says dietitian Aoife Hearne.

Fri, 05 Oct, 2018

Focus on key foods during second trimester of pregnancy

Focus on key foods during second trimester of pregnancy

Now entering her third trimester, dietitian Aoife Hearne is feeling great, but is lamenting the fact there will be a lot of ‘lasts’ with this, her final pregnancy.

Fri, 09 Mar, 2018

Taking baby steps: 10 changes to nutrition than can help aid conception

Taking baby steps: 10 changes to nutrition than can help aid conception

Dietitian Aoife Hearne on the importance of nutrition before conception.

Fri, 16 Feb, 2018