The Toddler’s Years-timing is everything and a better foods

Toddler milestones.

Between  the age of 12 and 24 months is a toddlers milestones. It is clear that your baby is no longer the helpless creature he or she once was. When speech develops usually starting with their ability to say ” NO ” They are able to communicate their preferences of foods more clearly and to say when they are hungry using words more often than gestures.

The toddler stage, the task of planning meals and feeding your toddler can be quite the challenge. But it can also be fun and rewarding, especially if good eating habits have already been established.

Goodbye Formula and hello whole milk.

As long as your child’s weight is good, infant formula is usually no longer required after the age of one year. Formula may still be recommended for those with minimal iron intake or those with poor weight gain. But if you are unsure about whether to switch from formula to whole milk (cow’s milk) you can ask your family doctor or pediatrician for advice.

Remember that iron remains an important nutrient at this age, since it is essential for growth. You can supplement the whole milk with iron-fortified as a follow-up.

As your child’s ability to chew and swallow improves, he or she can manage a greater range of foods. Fruits and vegetables can now be given in a larger pieces, but still recommended the softer varieties such as bananas, peaches, pears and mangoes.

For the vegetables should still be cooked until soft or you can try introducing a thin slices of fresh cucumber and a grated carrots.

For MEAT are often more readily as a child gets older and finds them easier to chew. Try more variety of flavor in preparing the meat, chicken and fish.

Toddler’s like to experiment for food, they wanted to try a bite size and holding larger pieces or a whole fruit. They enjoy to eat using their fingers. We should keep a close watch, since it is easy for them to swallow  without chewing

  1. For Babies fingers foods

The toddlers fingers foods

And in some cases a whole fruit and vegetables such as grapes or berries and a corn or peas could possibly lodge in a small airway that will cause for chocking.

Each child develops differently, and you will know what is best suited for your toddler. Ultimately, let your common sense prevail.

Timing is everything.

Remember that children like to have a routine. Wherever possible, try to maintain a reasonable time schedule for meals and snacks. If the child is too tired or hungry, they will not enjoy their meals.

Even if you are away from home, you can provide a light portable meal or more substantial snack. A child’s schedule is important, even if they are not in their usual setting so try to allow for it during the course of your busy day.

Food-to-go for your toddler.

  • Fresh bread with hard or soft cheese spread
  • Low-sugar cereal mix or a crackers
  • Fresh roll with sliced of ham or turkey
  • sliced of fruits and vegetables, (green, yellow and red) to make it more appealing.

Fast and easy menus for hungry toddlers:

Breakfast:

  • 1 sliced of toast with 1/2 tsp. of butter or 25 gm of cheese.
  • A quarter of banana 
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk

Snack #1

  • Half sliced  apple
  • 25g cheddar cheese

 Lunch:

  • 1/4 cup green beans with butter
  • 2 small pieces of Baked salmon cakes
  • 1/2 cup orange juice mix with half water

 Snack # 2

  • 1 medium piece of oatmeal cookies
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk or water

 Supper:

  • 1/4 cup of steam broccoli
  • 1/4 cup of macaroni and cheese or soft boiled rice.
  • Quarter of bake chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup of strawberries
  • Water to drink

 Snack # 3 before bedtime

  • 3/4 cup of whole milk

It is often difficult for many parents to plan their children meals in advance. But you can still ensure that they get a nutritious foods by serving a variety of dishes that come from the main food groups, including bread or cereals, vegetables and fruits, milk and milk products and meat or the alternates.

TIP: Don’t feel that you have to provide a home-cooked meal everyday. Time spent hugging and loving your child is important as well.

When you have a toddler to feed, be sure to keep some staples foods to keep. But before purchasing package foods, read the labels carefully-many contain too much salt and other additives.

While commercially prepared foods can be quite nutritious, try to find the time to make a home-cooked meals at least 3 times a week. You will find it personally satisfying.

Staple foods to keep on hand:

  1.  Milk                                                    9.  Frozen vegetables
  2. Yogurt                                                 10. Canned fruits
  3. Eggs                                                     11. Canned tuna or salmon
  4. Cheese                                                 12. Boxed of macaroni and cheese
  5. Bread and low salt crackers           13. Canned soup in low-sodium
  6. Pasta                                                    14. Fresh potatoes
  7. Rice                                                       15. Frozen fish cakes
  8. Cereals                                                 16. Frozen chicken breast or thigh

Eating with like a grown-ups

Children continue to build upon the rudimentary self-feeding skills. they begin to understand the social aspects of eating with parents and other family members.

Developing the skills of using utensils is important for toddlers, since it reinforces their independence. Security and affirmation are extremely important at this stage. So be positive- clapping your hands, smiling and showing approval as your child gets better at using a spoon and fork. But let them to continue to pick up food with their fingers as well.

Soup may be more difficult for toddlers to manage on their own, so you  may want to guide them with this food.

Toddlers can use their own cutlery, or they may want to try the grown-up version. The special plastic forks and spoons made for children are generally easier to use. Toddlers learn quickly that this is where food should be. Try to teach them early that the plate is not a toy, but meant for food. And this is the time for bottle-feed children to make the transition from bottle to cup.

A family that eat together.

Meals are important events to share with your child. Do not use mealtime to make a phone calls or to get everything done in the kitchen. Try to interact with him or her for at least part of the meal. Talk to your child and explain or describe the food that is hot and allow your child to touch hot food, so that they  will understand this means. And you can teach them to blow on food to let cool down.

What a mess!

As toddlers learn to feed themselves and before their skills are fully developed, they are capable of creating a substantial mess. So there’s no better time to start teaching them the importance of cleaning up. Always clean your child’s hands and face after meal, or let them do this themselves. It can be done! Patience is important.

Q&A for toddler years:

Question: I don’t always have time to prepare homemade meals, are there nutritious alternatives?

Answer; Canned or frozen foods can be very nutritious and a good choices when you don’t the time to prepare your own. The important you read the labels carefully to ensure that they do not contain too much salt or other additives.

 Question: My child refuses to eat vegetables, what can I do?

Answer; While many children dislike one or two vegetables, but it is unusual  to hate them all. The important thing is that you don’t discouraged. You can introduce it again using a different preparation method. You can enhance the flavor by adding some meat or sauces. Introduce those vegetables that are popular to your toddler’s, such as corn, peas, carrots and beans. Soup are another good way to get your child to eat vegetables.

Question: How often should my child have snacks?

Answer; Snacks are very important part of your child’s diet, and should be offered at least 2 to 3 times a day. This will prevent them from getting too hungry and tired before mealtime. But be sure you give a healthy food snack; Such as fresh fruit and vegetables cut into small bite-size, grated cheese, low salt crackers, or a homemade cookies and or whole milk too.

Question: Is it okay to give a few sips of soda pop when we drink during mealtime?

Answer; Soda pop provides little beneficial nutrients except for calories, in some cases a bit of vitamin C. Many of these drinks contain significant amount of caffeine. They are not really suitable for toddlers, but a few sips here or there will not damage your child health. A better alternatives is to mix 1 part of fruit juice with 3 parts unflavored sparkling water (A Perrier).This is a refreshing, tasty drink that is good for your toddler’s and the whole family.

Once again, thank you so much for visiting my site Kidsyummybite.com and hopefully you enjoy reading “The Toddler’s years”

“ENCOURAGE YOUR TODDLER’S BY EXAMPLE TO EAT NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE”

grace@kidsyummybite.com


Author: Grace

Grace is a health care worker. A wife and a mother of one amazing seven years old boy. lived in Ontario Canada. I am originally from Philippines whom I was trained and graduated as a Nutritionist Dietitian. More than ten years experienced working as a dietitian. I love helping people in my own ways, reading is my favorite thing and most importantly spending time with my family and friends.

23 Replies to “The Toddler’s Years-timing is everything and a better foods”

  1. UncleBolt says:

    It can he really stressful to deal with toddlers especially the playful ones, lol but just the most interesting thing any one can find home doing. Thanks for sharing this amazing and interesting article, it is of great advantage to have come across this, it is really nice to read through the pages

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Thank you for taking time reading my post. Yes, patient is very important to  deal with  our little  ones. Thank’s again. 

      Reply
  2. Tom Tabor says:

    Hello Grace,
    Your article is very informative, easy to read also great and simple guide for every new parent with a toddler…thank you.

    Cheers

    Tom

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Thank you Tom, I appreciate it that’s a nice one, helps me to move forward to write more article’s.

      Reply
  3. Aug says:

    Hello grace, this has been a very good read for me and as a new mother,I was able to learn about what is best for my kid especially when it comes to the kind of food that I would want to feed him. You really out it so simply that I know that my kid is in safe hands with me.

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Thank you for taking time reading my post. I’m glad you learn the healthy eating especially for your little one’s. I appreciate it for  your very kind comments. Thanks again.

      Reply
  4. Charity says:

    Hello there, thank you so much for sharing this. this is a very awesome piece and a very detailed one. I’m really happy I came across this.  Reading about this article the toddler years – timing is everything and a better foods sounds interesting. Going through this article was indeed helpful and informative. I enjoyed reading every bit of it 

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Hi Charity,

      Thank you for taking time reading my post. I am glad to know you enjoy reading and most of all you find it helpful. Thanks again I really appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  5. Rita Gregorio Soriano says:

    Thank you so much for sharing with us your nice article. It is a big help for me, especially for the working mother’s. It teaches us what is the best food that we should give to our children. Thank you and God bless.

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Hello, thank you for reading my article and I’m glad you find it helpful for you as a mother. Thanks again.

      Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Thank you for visiting my blog site and I am happy you find it helpful. Hopefully you enjoy reading my article.

      Reply
  6. TheMarketingLord says:

    Great article. I wish I have stumbled upon this a bit earlier. Your article really caught my eye because it is well written and everything is on point. Our children really need a healthier lifestyle and better foods. It’s important for them to eat healthy and not some junk food in order to grow better and be healthier. Thanks for this great article.

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Hello, 

      Thank you for your positive feedback with my article. I am glad you considered the importance of healthy eating lifestyle For children. Thank’s again. 

      Reply
    2. Lavz says:

      Awesome article! its a lot of help for a mother like me. Please continue sharing good tips for healthier living.. Thank you and God bless.

      Reply
      1. Grace says:

        Thank you for taking time reading my article and I appreciate your positive comment. I am glad it helped you and for your little one’s to eat a healthier foods.

        Reply
    3. Grace says:

      Hello,
      Thank you and I really appreciate your positive comment. Yes, healthy eating is my favorite topic to share and thank you, you find the importance of healthy eating lifestyle especially for children.

      Reply
  7. Rita Gregorio Soriano says:

    Thank you for sharing with us your nice article. It is a big help for us as a working mother. It remind us what is the right food that we should give to our children. Thank you so much. God bless.

    Reply
  8. Rita Gregorio Soriano says:

    Thank you for sharing with us with your nice article. It teaches us how to take good care of our children and what proper food should be given to them. Thank you. Its a big help for those who are working mother’s. May the Lord God bless you always.

    Reply
    1. Grace says:

      Thanks again for visiting my blog site. I am happy you following my blog. I really appreciate for leaving always a positive comments. God bless you too.

      Reply
  9. Grace says:

    Hello everyone,
    Thank you once again for visiting my blog site. I am excited to share with you my new article “Toddler Milestones” enjoy reading 📚

    Reply

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