Nutrition is important as children transition from formula and breast milk to table food. Yet, parents and caregivers are concerned about childhood obesity as the number of overweight children soars. However, doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians reports that children under age two should not have any fat restrictions in their diets. The toddler years are the best time to introduce healthy food to children via nutritious meals and snacks to help them make excellent food choices as they grow. There is a plethora of healthy snacks you can offer your toddler.
Dairy
After age two, children should consume about 30 percent of their calorie intake from fat. Polyunsaturated fats are preferable to trans and saturated fats. According to the National Institutes of Health, toddlers between the ages of one and three need 500 mg of calcium each day. Whole and low-fat milk products provide a portion of that fat while also giving toddlers the calcium, protein and vitamins they need for bone and tooth growth, muscle contraction and regulation of body fat and blood sugar. Snacks that provide healthy dairy calories include fruit yogurt and cubes of any kind of cheese. String cheese is available in a variety of flavors and provides a fun way to get kids to eat healthy snacks. Yogurt marketed for children usually contains added sugar and flavorings and typically is more expensive than plain yogurt sold in large containers, which is just as nutritious for kids. You can add fruit such as applesauce and peaches to plain yogurt for a nutritious snack. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that toddlers older than two years can eat whole milk yogurt and cheese or 2-percent milk products. Toddlers under two year should only eat whole milk products because they need the fat.
Grains
Toddlers still can be at risk for choking, so you should avoid snacks consisting of small grains such as popcorn, peanuts and seeds. Whole grain crackers, muffins, bread and bagels are effective snack foods to get your child to eat the recommended six servings of grains she needs each day, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Creamy peanut butter on crackers or a half bagel is a popular snack food with toddlers. Combine other healthy foods with whole grains such as spreading cream cheese on crackers, adding fruit to 1/2 cup of oatmeal for a nutritious snack and giving toddlers whole grain snack bars with a glass of milk.
Fruits and Vegetables
Parents and caregivers serve as role models for children. Adults who eat a bag of chips or a candy bar at snack time set a poor example for impressionable toddlers who need about four servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Instead, influence your kids by sharing an apple, pear or cantaloupe with them. Serve a small bit of yogurt with the fruit for a well-balanced snack. Cut up vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and peppers for snacks kids can easily grab on the run. According to the Nemours Foundation, snacks are an effective means of providing required nutrition that you have trouble forcing your kids to eat at mealtimes.
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