Healthy Food Products For Toddlers

Toddlers have specific nutritional needs, and when you walk the supermarket aisle many products promise to meet them. Marketing is a significant part of the food industry, and just because something looks healthy, doesn't mean it is beneficial for a toddler. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not all toddler food products are representing the actual value in the advertising. If you are concerned about your child's diet, talk to your pediatrician.

Read the Labels

Ignore the gimmicky packaging on toddler food products and go straight to the nutritional information on the label. This is where you will be able to distinguish the healthy food products from the ones to avoid. Nutrition labels provide a wealth of information. Healthy eating is a learned process. If you get use to reading the labels, you can teach your child the value as he grows.

Calcium

One area to focus on when reading a label is the calcium content. Toddlers need more calcium than adults because they are growing bones and teeth. Helpguide.org states that a toddler needs to up to 500 mg of calcium a day. Some of that can come from dairy sources such as milk. You can add more by selecting food products with high-calcium content such as an instant oatmeal. If your child has a milk allergy or is lactose intolerant, try a product with sweet potatoes.

Sodium

When checking the nutrition label on toddler products, look for sodium content. A 2010 study conducted by The University of Calgary found one downfall in toddler food products was high-sodium content. Start your toddler off right by restricting the salt she eats. Toddlers should have less than 1,500 mg of sodium each day.

Sugar

Some packaged toddler products have high amounts of sugar. A toddler's diet should consist of approximately 1,000 to 1,400 daily calories unless your pediatrician tells you differently. High-sugar foods will eat up the calories allowance. Sugar affects their little bodies in other ways too. Excess sugar can lead to tooth decay. In children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sugar may increase hyperactivity. In general, the less sugar your child gets, the better.

Considerations

With a few basic exceptions, you should choose healthful foods for your child the same way you would for yourself. Low-fat foods with nutritional value are the best way to go. Just like the appeal of the food may be in the packaging, the appeal of eating may be in the environment. If you make meal time colorful, with plenty of texture, your toddler will not care about the product. Be sure to add some fresh items into the day, as well. Get your child accustomed to eating fresh vegetables and fruits as soon as the pediatrician gives you the okay. Healthy eating is a learned trait. The food habits your toddler forms now may endure for life.