The average 1-year-old has tripled her newborn weight but she starts to gain weight at a slower pace in her toddler years, according to pediatric health website AskDrSears. She won't need as much food to fuel her growth, so you shouldn't panic if your toddler won't eat anything green or if she refuses sit still long enough to eat a full meal. However, you can broaden her horizons and keep her healthy by offering her a colorful array of nutrient-packed foods that she can feed herself.
Low-Sugar Cereals
"O" shaped cereals and other low-sugar varieties are an easy, spur-of-the-moment food for your toddler to feed himself. Cereal is easy to transport in a zip-seal bag or sealed snack cup, and munching on it as a snack or appetizer can also help your toddler fulfill his daily recommended six servings of grains, says BabyZone website. Another way to encourage your toddler's cereal intake is to crush up low-sugar cereal and "dust" it over slippery finger foods, such as banana slices.
Yogurt
Full-fat yogurt is full of nutrients: it is a rich source of calcium, which will help your toddler build strong teeth and bones, and it is a hearty source of protein and fat, which will help fuel your toddler's energetic lifestyle, according to Babycenter website. Yogurt is also versatile. Your toddler can eat it plain, eat it with fruit or fruit puree mixed in or use it as a dip for fruits and vegetables. For a nutritious smoothie, mix full-fat yogurt with fruit and ice, or toss in extras, such as wheat germ, peanut butter and a protein supplement, such as protein, says pediatric health website AskDrSears.
Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which will help protect your toddler's cells from damage. If your toddler eats blueberries regularly, she may maintain healthy cholesterol levels, have an improved memory and have lower chances of developing cancer, according to Babycenter. If your toddler doesn't want to eat them plain, stir them into yogurt, blend them into a smoothie or combine them with other pieces of fruit to make a picture of a flower or a happy face on your toddler's plate.
Avocados
Avocados are the fruit with the most protein. They are also rich in monounsaturated fat, which is a healthy fat that helps prevent heart disease, according to Parents magazine. They are highly caloric so they offer a lot of nutrition in small portions for growing toddlers who are always on the go. Slice them into "boat" finger foods, mash them into a guacamole dip or spread some onto a quesadilla.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of vitamins B, C and E as well as calcium, iron and potassium, according to BabyCenter. They are also full of complex carbohydrates, which will help your toddler maintain a steady blood sugar, and fiber, which will help regulate your toddler's digestion. Cook them and cube them as a snack or sneak them into other recipes for added sweetness, recommends BabyCenter.
