What Should Toddlers Eat?
Food and eating is a pleasurable experience for our young children, it enables them to grow strong, it provides them with the fuel to power their daily activities, and gives them endless opportunities to wind their parents up!!!!
Like the rest of the family your toddler need to eat a variety of foods
Foods that need to be encouraged include:
- Milk and dairy products (full fat until two years old, gradually introduce lower fat dairy products so by the time your child is five they are eating a healthy low-fat diet. Skimmed milk is not recommended under five years old)
- Bread, other cereals and potatoes (wholegrain foods can be introduced gradually. Too much wholegrain may fill your child up too quickly and reduce the absorption of vitamins)
- A variety of fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils and nuts etc.
Young children up to 5 years of age need 7mcg of vitamin D daily
Sugar
Most young children enjoy sweet foods.
A small amount of sugar in foods at
meal times is OK, but be aware that when
teeth are in frequent contact with sugary
foods and drinks, they will decay (if you
haven’t done it already, then think about
getting rid of the bottles and encouraging
a feeder beaker/cup).
Meal times
- Toddlers have a will of their own, and their own tastes to go with it. Never allow meal times to become a battle!
- Ensure meal times are calm, relaxed and organized. Encourage your toddler to sit and eat with the rest of the family
- Encourage adult eating habits by offering main course before pudding
- If your child dislikes variety, continue to offer a repetitive but nutritious diet
- Encourage your child to eat but, NEVER force them
- When your child has had enough, allow them to get down from the table
- Do not get angry if your child has not eaten, simply offer it a little later
- Think about the time you are
spending preparing and cooking
foods, save as much time as possible.
This makes you less likely to get angry when your child doesn’t eat it! - Never allow your child to run about while eating
- Don’t worry if they use their hands to pick up foods, there is still plenty of time to perfect their table manners!
- Remember, it is your child’s right to eat or not to eat. Avoid battles and think again before offering alternatives or allowing them to fill up on milk, biscuits, crisps etc.
There are a variety of ways to get a good diet into toddlers and young children, it just takes a bit of imagination, common sense and a lot of patience. If your child is growing, healthy and happy and is eating a reasonably well balanced diet then relax, you must be doing it right.
| For more information visit | |
 |
www.eatwell.gov.uk |
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www.allergyuk.org |
