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