Foods for Your Child's Diet

As parents, we want to provide our toddlers with everything they need to support their healthy development. A balanced diet filled with essential nutrients plays a key role in helping young bodies and brains grow properly. During the toddler years from ages 1 to 3, children experience rapid growth and learning. It is important to choose foods wisely to meet their high nutritional needs. The following options are excellent choices to include in your toddler's daily meals and snacks.

Eggs

One highly nutritious food for toddlers is eggs. Eggs contain high-quality protein as well as iron, choline and vitamins A, D and B12. Protein builds muscle and supports brain function. Eggs can be easily scrambled, baked into muffins or added to shredded hash browns. Their versatile preparation makes eggs a convenient toddler food staple. Cow's milk provides calcium for strong bones and teeth. Toddlers should drink whole milk for its fat content which aids growth and learning. Serve milk with cereal, pancakes or offer sips throughout the day in a cup.

Fish

Fish like salmon is another superfood filled with important nutrients. Fatty fish such as salmon and trout contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which support vision and brain development. Aim to serve fish at least twice per week. Salmon can be baked into easy finger foods or flaked into toddler-friendly mac and cheese. Canned light tuna is also a good option when packed in water instead of oil. For active toddlers, cheese offers quality protein and calcium. Cheddar, cottage cheese and string cheese satisfy snacking needs. Cheese can also be grated into pasta or used in toddler baking recipes.

Cow's Milk

Cow's milk provides key nutrients such as calcium, which is important for building strong bones and teeth during a child's formative years. Whole milk is best for toddlers ages 1 to 2 years old as it provides saturated fat that aids in growth and development. You can offer cow's milk alongside toddler food like cereals, pancakes or to sip throughout the day in a cup.

Berries

Berries like strawberries and blueberries should have a regular place in any toddler's diet. Berries provide antioxidants and vitamin C to boost the immune system. Their natural sweetness makes them an appealing and nutritious snack. Freeze-dried berries can be added to cereal or yogurt. Fresh berries can be mashed onto toast or mixed into overnight oats. Broccoli is loaded with vitamins K and C plus fiber which aid growth and digestion. Try hiding steamed broccoli pieces in sauces or blending them into soups and smoothies for tentative toddler tastebuds. Cream cheese or hummus are tasty veggie dippers.

Broccoli

Broccoli is loaded with vitamins K and C plus fiber to fuel a toddler's metabolism. For picky eaters, try hiding steamed broccoli florets in pasta sauce or pureeing them into soups. Dip raw broccoli bites in hummus as a toddler-friendly veggie snack.

In addition to these nutrient-dense foods, remember to feed your toddler a variety of grains, lean proteins, dairy and produce each day. Meals should include complex carbohydrates like whole grains, protein at each sitting and plenty of fruits and veggies. Limit processed snacks high in sugar, salt and preservatives. Make sure to socialize family meals where children learn table manners in a relaxed environment. With some exposure to healthy eating, even picky toddler palates can come around. Choosing the right combination of nourishment during these years will ensure your child's healthy development for life. Making wise choices now rewards both toddlers and their parents in the future.

Fueling Your Toddler's Growth with Nutrition Guidance from Bread of Life Pediatrics

The nice doctors and nurses at Bread of Life Pediatrics understand that the time when kids learn to walk and talk is very important for starting to eat well. They know toddlers grow quickly, so they help moms and dads pick out foods with good things inside like protein, vitamins and minerals to help little bodies and brains get bigger and smarter. The clinic gives families one-on-one talks about eating and fun cooking classes for everyone to learn to make family meals with healthy foods even if kids are picky. For over 20 years, Bread of Life Pediatrics has been teaching the neighborhood how good food can make toddlers strong. Parents can call 346-746-7420 or schedule an initial consultation and let us show you good ways to feed your kids from the inside so they can learn and play healthily.