At 15 months, your child can virtually eat everything you eat. However, it is important to make sure that your toddler is obtaining the adequate amount of calories and vitamins. Healthy foods should be encouraged at this age. This will help your child develop good eating habits in the future. In addition, some foods should be avoided for safety reasons. Because a toddler's tummy is so small, it is important to fill it with nutritional foods that will help them grow strong.
Quantity
According to Kidshealth.org, a 15-month-old child should be offered three meals a day. In addition, two or three snacks should be provided. Avoid giving your toddler servings that are too large for them. The average 15-month-old can eat around one-fourth of an adult portion. The serving size shown on nutrition labels should not be followed because it is designed for adults with a higher caloric intake.
Nutrition
Keepkidshealthy.com explains that a 15-month-old toddler should be getting six servings of grains, two servings of fruit, three vegetable servings, two servings of meat or protein and two servings of milk and dairy a day. The average toddler should consume about 1,300 calories every day. Depending on their size, that may increase or lower slightly. For every inch of her height, she should be receiving 40 calories a day.
Variety
Because a toddler is just learning to eat real foods, it is a good idea to offer a variety of items to broaden his palate. Toddlers are also notoriously picky eaters, so it can be beneficial to introduce new flavors and textures often so they don't get bored. Kidshealth.org advises that a child who is just developing his independence can enjoy choosing from a wide variety of foods.
Milk
Milk is a very important feature in a 15-month-old's diet. It contains much needed calcium and vitamin D that encourage strong bone growth. Ideally, the National Institutes of Health says that a toddler should ingest 500 mg of calcium every day. Only whole milk should be offered at this age because a toddler needs the fat and calories found in it. Breast milk is an even better choice because it contains all of the vitamins and minerals a baby's body needs.
Safety
Kidshealth.org warns that iron deficiency is common in toddlers. To prevent this, make sure your 15-month-old is eating plenty of iron-enriched foods like meat, beans and green vegetables. Iron-fortified baby cereal can also be offered until your child turns 2. Some things can cause allergies, so make sure that new foods are introduced one at a time. In addition, all foods that could pose as a choking hazard should be avoided. These include grapes, hard candy and raw vegetables.
Member Comments