Healthy Eating for Toddlers
By Mila Sidman
If you’ve ever been around toddlers, chances are you’re
familiar with the “toddler diet” – otherwise known as chicken
nuggets, hot dogs, and French fries. There are ways to
help your toddler expand his menu. Try using cookie
cutters to cut cheese and sandwiches into fun shapes,
make pancake “faces” with banana slices for eyes, and
blueberries for the nose and mouth. Your picky toddler is
more likely to eat if they’re hungry at mealtime – don’t allow
them to fill up on juice or snacks between meals.
Another way to make sure your toddler is getting enough
nutritious food is to be creative when preparing meals.
Adding some thawed frozen spinach into tomato sauce,
placing veggies on top of a slice of pizza, or adding
shredded zucchini to apple muffins are great ways to sneak
healthy food into your child.
Toddlers are prone to food jags – sometimes they’ll go
weeks or months eating the same food day after day. If
your toddler is gaining weight well, there’s probably nothing
to worry about. What’s most important is that you not turn it
into a battle – if your toddler realizes that they can use food
as a method of control, you’ve lost the war. Consult with
your pediatrician if you’re concerned – he may suggest
adding a multivitamin to your child’s diet.
As your child gets older, it can still be a struggle to make
sure he or she is eating right. Make an effort to have a
family mealtime – not only does it give you an opportunity
to catch up with your kids; it also helps you control the
menu. Make sure that there is always a healthy selection
of ready-made snacks available, such as fruits and veggies
with dip. Offer your kids juice or water and limit sugary
drinks like soda and drink mixes.
It’s important that the parent set a good example. Practice
what you preach and realize that your kids will take their
cues from you. Making choices like eating whole grains,
avoiding fried foods, and eating more fruits and veggies will
send the right message and increase the chances that your
child will adopt a healthy lifestyle later on in their lives.
familiar with the “toddler diet” – otherwise known as chicken
nuggets, hot dogs, and French fries. There are ways to
help your toddler expand his menu. Try using cookie
cutters to cut cheese and sandwiches into fun shapes,
make pancake “faces” with banana slices for eyes, and
blueberries for the nose and mouth. Your picky toddler is
more likely to eat if they’re hungry at mealtime – don’t allow
them to fill up on juice or snacks between meals.
Another way to make sure your toddler is getting enough
nutritious food is to be creative when preparing meals.
Adding some thawed frozen spinach into tomato sauce,
placing veggies on top of a slice of pizza, or adding
shredded zucchini to apple muffins are great ways to sneak
healthy food into your child.
Toddlers are prone to food jags – sometimes they’ll go
weeks or months eating the same food day after day. If
your toddler is gaining weight well, there’s probably nothing
to worry about. What’s most important is that you not turn it
into a battle – if your toddler realizes that they can use food
as a method of control, you’ve lost the war. Consult with
your pediatrician if you’re concerned – he may suggest
adding a multivitamin to your child’s diet.
As your child gets older, it can still be a struggle to make
sure he or she is eating right. Make an effort to have a
family mealtime – not only does it give you an opportunity
to catch up with your kids; it also helps you control the
menu. Make sure that there is always a healthy selection
of ready-made snacks available, such as fruits and veggies
with dip. Offer your kids juice or water and limit sugary
drinks like soda and drink mixes.
It’s important that the parent set a good example. Practice
what you preach and realize that your kids will take their
cues from you. Making choices like eating whole grains,
avoiding fried foods, and eating more fruits and veggies will
send the right message and increase the chances that your
child will adopt a healthy lifestyle later on in their lives.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
About the Author
Need help with your child’s fitness? Grab your kid fitness
tips, nutrition articles and fun kid exercise ideas – Free Kid
Fitness Tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?
expert=Mila_Sidman
Need help with your child’s fitness? Grab your kid fitness
tips, nutrition articles and fun kid exercise ideas – Free Kid
Fitness Tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?
expert=Mila_Sidman
