If your toddler has difficulty passing stool, your child's pediatrician may recommend that you add fiber to her diet. Increasing your child's fiber intake may be challenging if your child does not like foods that are traditionally high in fiber. By finding new foods that your child enjoys and adding more high-fiber foods to her diet, you can help eliminate some health problems, like constipation, and get her started on healthy eating habits for life.
Whole Grains
If your child is not getting adequate fiber, chances are he is not getting enough whole grains in his diet. A diet that is high in whole grains, like whole wheat crackers, oatmeal and bran, can help reduce constipation and make your toddler's bowel movements more regular. If your toddler turns his nose up at oatmeal for breakfast, he may enjoy eating specially baked muffins. Make bran or oatmeal muffins with raisins or cranberries from scratch to help whet his appetite for whole grains.
Fruits
Your child may get more fiber in his diet if he eats fruit with meals or as snacks. Some fruits, like peaches, pears and apples are high in fiber, says Shirley Menard, R.N., a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing on natural health website MotherNature.com. Not all fruits are high in fiber, however. Bananas are not high in fiber, and may cause constipation instead of eliminating it. If a whole apple is daunting, cut the fruit into manageable pieces for your toddler.
Vegetables
Give your child a variety of raw vegetables, like carrots and celery, as snacks to help increase her fiber intake. If your child won't touch raw vegetables, cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes, broccoli and beans will also add fiber to her diet. For children who aren't fond of veggies, hiding vegetables in other foods may help your child get her nutrients without knowing she's eating veggies. Add shaved carrots to tomato sauce when serving pasta, and hide chopped broccoli in her macaroni and cheese.
Fruit Juices
If your child won't eat a piece of fruit, try fruit juices. Although prune juice may help your child get his fiber, he may not like the taste. As an alternative, try unfiltered apple cider as a delicious drink that is also high in fiber. Make a fruit smoothie in the blender with frozen berries and milk or apple juice for a treat that's naturally sweetened and high in fiber.
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