700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts About Nutrition & Fitness

Posted by: Mike Patrick, MD on May 27, 2026

Botulism is a disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria produces a substance called botulinum toxin, which works at the cellular level, causing muscle paralysis.

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Starting an Exercise Program
If you don’t love exercise, you’re not alone—but finding activities you actually enjoy can make all the difference. Learn how to start small, build a routine that fits your life, stay motivated, and turn movement into something you look forward to.
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Homemade Baby Food: The Danger of Nitrates
Many parents want to make homemade baby food. And why not? But danger lurks in that good-looking meal, primarily in the form of nitrate contamination and botulism.

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About this Blog

Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.

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Latest Posts

a little boy smiling over a big pile of pasta

Toddler Nutrition: How Much is Enough?

Dec 06, 2023

Is your child’s stomach as big as yours? Children are much smaller than adults so it is important to remember that we should feed them smaller portions as well as more frequent meals than those of adults since a smaller stomach will fill up faster. Read More

obesity guidelines

New Obesity Guidelines for Children and Adolescents

Jan 30, 2023

For the first time in fifteen years, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with obesity. Read More

child feeding adult grapes

The Importance of Good Nutrition for Kids

Mar 11, 2021

It is crucial to begin practicing healthy eating habits early on in your child’s life. One of the most important conversations to have with your child is the power of healthy eating. Read More

Baby drinking out of a food pouch

Is Overuse of Baby Food Pouches a Problem?

Feb 11, 2020

There may be some concerns with having food pouches as the primary foods that a child is exposed to, based on developmental and sensory skills. Read More

Son sitting on father's lap eating at a table

Are Plant-Based Diets Safe for Kids?

Jan 14, 2020

No matter the reason, hearing a child say “I want to go vegetarian!” strikes fear in the hearts of many parents. Read More

child eating vegatables

Kids and Nutrition: Making Vegetables Taste Good

Jan 16, 2017

Getting kids to eat vegetables is not always an easy task. The good news? We can make them taste good! If you have a picky eater, here are some recipes to help you to just that. Read More

mother and daughter using a laptop next to a bowl of vegetables

Nutrition Therapy - Dietitians Practicing What They Teach

Jan 13, 2017

Have you ever wondered if your doctor or member of your medical team would choose the same treatment they recommend to you? What if that treatment were difficult, like following a special diet? For the past three years the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at Nationwide Children’s Read More

Healthy Holiday Eating: Salads, Dips and Spreads

Dec 23, 2016

Leading up to the holidays, meal preparation often becomes challenging. It’s a great time to work on cleaning out the pantry, cooking simply, and most importantly trying to keep it healthy. Read More