 Toddlers are notorious for being picky eaters, but there are ways to steer meals and snacks in a healthy direction.
Toddlers can usually eat the same food as the rest of the family, with the exception of very strong spices, as long as it’s cut up into toddler-sized pieces. Toddlers still have small stomachs, so they may need to eat little and often. Don’t be frustrated if your toddler eats hardly any of the meal you’ve prepared, and then announces that he needs a snack an hour later. Letting him eat as much or as little as he likes at mealtimes is a good strategy, as long as the snacks you offer in between are healthy. If your toddler fills up on sweet stuff, he won’t have room for the nutritious food he needs. You’ll also be encouraging your child to develop a sweet tooth, which can lead to tooth decay and weight problems.
Try these, for example, instead: - a piece of wholemeal bread and butter
- a banana
- carrot and cucumber sticks
- a glass of milk.
Make sure that your toddler eats foods from these four groups for a balanced diet:
1. Starchy foods – including bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and potatoes.
2. Fruit and vegetables – of any sort, including frozen,canned and juice, five times a day (frozen vegetables may even contain more vitamins than fresh ones which have been sitting on a shelf).
3. Protein foods – meat, fish and eggs, as well as vegetarian alternatives such as tofu, dhal (lentils), pulses and grains.
4. Dairy products – like cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais and milk. |
