Good day-to-day nutrition is essential for toddlers who are on the go and on the grow. Offering them healthful meals and snacks will help them learn to enjoy foods that are best for building their bodies and brains. Of course, it can be challenging to get your active child to put on the brakes for meals, and toddlers are not too young to be tempted by sugary snacks. This also is an age when some kids are stubbornly picky about their food preferences — so at times, some smart parental strategies might be needed.
Healthy Growth
At times, it’s hard to believe your once-tiny baby is now a growing, walking bundle of energy. Toddlers’ brains are growing rapidly, too, and a healthy diet feeds their minds as well as their bodies. According to a study published in February 2011 by British health researchers, good nutrition early in life might boost your child’s brainpower later, even boosting IQ scores. Children who ate a lot of sweetened, processed and high-fat foods were more likely to have reduced IQ scores, says the study, published in the "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health."
Aim for Variety
As toddlers explore new foods, offer a healthy variety of tastes and textures to interest their taste buds and meet their nutritional needs. The Cleveland Clinic advises that you aim for at least six daily servings of grains, five of fruits and vegetables, three of milk products, two of meat/protein and one of fat, such as margarine or oil. Remember that these are small servings, compared with those for an adult. Examples of toddler-size servings: half a muffin or slice of bread, up to 1/3 cup pasta or cereal, up to 1/3 cup fruit or vegetable or juice, 1/2 cup milk or yogurt, 1/2 ounce of cheese and up to 3 tablespoons of lean meat or beans.
Picky Tot, Sneaky Parent
You’re trying to inspire good eating habits for a lifetime, so you needn’t be above using the occasional parental trick. But this doesn’t mean bribes and rewards, warns MayoClinic.com. Instead of inviting power struggles, draw your child into the process of picking out and preparing food. Make healthful foods fun by serving veggies with dip, cutting foods into cute shapes, and pointing out interesting colors and textures. Don’t cater to pickiness by making separate meals for the kids, but do sneak some veggies into foods such as spaghetti sauce, meatballs or soups.
Nutritious Options
Your toddler probably does not care about future IQ scores, so how can you spur interest in the right kinds of meals and snacks? MayoClinic.com suggests patience as you encourage your child to try new foods. Introduce them regularly, along with foods he already likes. Stick to three meals and two snacks, not all-day noshing. Don’t encourage a sweet tooth by serving dessert all the time — and when you do, offer healthy alternatives such as fruit and yogurt. And if you have serious concerns about your toddler’s eating habits, ask your pediatrician about a vitamin supplement, especially if your child eats very little meat or other foods rich in iron.
