For every food that doctors and nutritionists say you should feed your toddler, there is seemingly a food that should be avoided. Parents need to watch out for highly allergenic foods, foods devoid of any nutritional value and foods that are choking hazards while still finding ones that your child will enjoy eating.
Allergenic Foods
Introduce new foods gradually, waiting two or three days in between new foods, to screen for allergies. If anyone in your family has a history of food allergies, wait until your toddler is older before introducing highly allergenic foods such as milk; eggs; peanuts; tree nuts, such as walnuts, Brazil nuts and cashews; soy and fish, including tuna, salmon, lobster, shrimp and crab.
Choking Hazards
Even as your child continues to sprout teeth, it is best to cut his food into pea-size pieces. Small, hard foods, including popcorn, hard candies, dried fruits and nuts, are potential choking hazards and should be avoided. Sticky foods, such as marshmallows, jelly beans and gum also can cause choking and should not be given to young children. Vegetables should be diced or shredded, and fruits, including grapes and cherries, sliced. Also peel and slice hot dogs lengthwise before serving.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be a double whammy for some children because it is both a highly allergenic food and a choking hazard. Although it might be OK to give a child who is not allergic to nuts peanut butter, spread it thinly on a slice of bread or a cracker because even a soft piece of bread with a generous amount of peanut butter can become very sticky, particularly when when mixed with saliva. If you really want your child to have peanut butter, mix it with a small amount of applesauce to thin it and reduce stickiness.
Drinks
Children younger than 2 need the fat and calories of whole milk. Save the 1 percent or 2 percent milk until your child is 2 years old, or until your pediatrician advises otherwise. Small amounts of juice are fine to give your youngster. However, according to Keep Kids Healthy, you should not give more than 4 to 6 oz. a day because they might fill him up too much to eat a regular meal. It can also provide too many unnecessary calories. Never give a toddler soda or other drinks with caffeine.
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