| The right diet ensures a healthy and bright | | | | - Serve small portions on a small plate in |
| future for toddlers. Proper food and | | | | the beginning. |
| nutrients form the building blocks for | | | | |
| developing strong teeth, bones, muscles and | | | | - Keep sweet foods and deserts out of sight |
| healthy tissues in this age group. A good | | | | till the main course has been eaten. |
| diet also helps to build your toddlers immune | | | | |
| system. A study by the Journal of American | | | | Toddlers often become hungry in between their |
| Dietic Association states that kids in an age | | | | main meals. That is when they need small |
| group of 1 to 2 years get 30 percent more | | | | meals or snacks to help them grow up strong. |
| calories than required. Since life long | | | | The healthier the snack, the healthier is the |
| eating preferences are set during the first | | | | effect of growth on toddlers. Therefore, it |
| three years a well balanced diet at these | | | | is very important to distinguish between what |
| early stages is required. A critical factor | | | | is a healthy snack and what is an unhealthy |
| is that, though requirements for energy and | | | | snack for toddlers. |
| nutrients are high, parents are besieged with | | | | |
| small appetites and finicky eating habits. | | | | Moreover, what may be classified as a healthy |
| | | | snack for the average adult or teenager |
| The basic constituents of toddlers' healthy | | | | cannot automatically be considered as healthy |
| diet include iron, calcium, vitamins A, C and | | | | for toddlers. |
| D. Iron is one of the most crucial nutrients | | | | |
| for a toddler. Children in this age group | | | | Here are a few Do's and Don'ts to help you |
| often suffer from iron deficiencies due to | | | | decide on the ideal snacks for your toddlers: |
| low dietary intake. This happens due to low | | | | |
| or no meat intake. Foods rich with Vitamin C, | | | | Do's - |
| such as orange juice need to be eaten at the | | | | |
| same time to enhance iron absorption. | | | | - Use snacks that comprise ingredients that |
| Calcium; which is vital for strong bones, | | | | can be cut or sliced into small pieces. E.g. |
| teeth and blood clotting and nerve cells, can | | | | apples, pears and bananas. |
| be obtained from milk. Vitamin A; which is | | | | |
| crucial for healthy skin and cell development | | | | - Use fresh foods rich in protein, fiber, |
| can be derived from yellow and orange fruit | | | | minerals, and vitamins. |
| and vegetables. Vitamin D is necessary for | | | | |
| calcium metabolism and is synthesized by the | | | | - Serve snacks in small portions at regular |
| action of the sunlight on the skin. It is | | | | intervals. |
| also available from oily fish, fortified | | | | |
| margarine and dairy products. In order to | | | | - Use fresh fruits sliced or cut into small |
| balance out a healthy diet a parent should | | | | pieces. |
| ensure that their toddler is getting adequate | | | | |
| starchy carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, | | | | - Use natural snacks such as cheese, milk, |
| milk and dairy foods, meat fish and | | | | yogurt, mini-muffins, fruit juices, and |
| alternatives. Fatty and sugary foods need to | | | | cereal. |
| be given in moderation. Avoid or moderate | | | | |
| sweet drinks. | | | | Don'ts - |
| | | | |
| Some pointers to ensure a healthy child's | | | | - Avoid snacks that may choke toddlers such |
| diet are: | | | | as whole fruits and vegetables, hard candies, |
| | | | whole nuts, and seeds. |
| - Feed your child with regular meals and | | | | |
| snacks at regular intervals. | | | | - Avoid preserved, processed or pre-packaged |
| | | | snacks. |
| - Schedule meals at times when your child is | | | | |
| not too tired or too hungry. | | | | - Refrain from using snacks that are too |
| | | | sweet, too salty, or too oily. |
| - Ensure that there is a wide variety of food | | | | |
| at meals. | | | | - Avoid artificial drinks such as sweetened |
| | | | sodas and soft drinks. |
| - Choose foods that are colorful and | | | | |
| interesting. | | | | - Avoid fried snacks such as potato chips. |
| | | | |