As a parent, you need to be aware of the food needs of your toddler. It is important to give your toddler foods that are rich in nutrients and low in added sugar. For example, plain yogurt has no added sugar and can be supplemented with pureed fruit. Similarly, healthy fats should be present in your toddler’s diet.
Sugars
Sugars are part of the nutritional requirements for young children, but you should avoid giving them too much. Added sugar is bad for your child’s health, and it can cause problems later in life. For young children, the recommended amount of sugar in their diet is around forty to two hundred grams a day. The good news is that natural sugar is present in fruits, vegetables, milk and breast milk. It also provides a host of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Despite the recent controversy surrounding sugar, many experts still recommend keeping sugar consumption low, even for young children. However, recent studies have found that sugar intakes continue to rise, even among infants and toddlers. Even though the percentages of added sugar in toddlers have decreased since the early 2000s, sugar consumption is still a part of toddlers’ diets.
The sugars that are added to foods are often hidden in disguise. They can appear as healthy foods like honey, syrup, or fruit concentrate. Some are even referred to as maltose or treacle, so it’s important to keep in mind that you should only use natural sugars for your child’s meals.
Studies have suggested that children’s intake of sugars is influenced by the dietary patterns of parents. The initial dietary pattern formed by parents is important in shaping a child’s future eating habits and food preferences.
Iron
Iron is an essential part of a toddler’s diet and can be found in a wide range of foods. It is found in large amounts in meat, particularly organ meats like liver, and in fortified foods like cereals and yoghurt. One serving of beef provides about five milligrams of iron, and turkey and dark chicken meats are rich sources of iron as well. Other good choices are spaghetti with meat and tomato sauce, and fortified cereals.
However, some toddlers may not get the adequate amount of iron in their diet. In addition, their appetites may be limited, so their intake of iron should be regulated. Parents may consider supplementing milk with a toddler formula or a multivitamin with iron to provide the missing nutrients. However, they should check with their child’s doctor before giving their child additional vitamins and minerals.
Iron-fortified cereals usually contain 100 percent of the daily recommended amount of iron per serving. However, the amount may differ depending on the type of cereal. A serving of plain, uncooked rolled oats contains about 3.5 milligrams of iron. You can also provide additional iron through fortified fruit and vegetable juices. However, it is important to keep in mind that these are often high in sugar and sodium.
Children who have anaemia may have a poor appetite or seem to be constantly fatigued. They may also be less able to fight off infection and may be more likely to get sick. Therefore, it is imperative that toddlers get enough iron in their diet to be healthy and thrive for the rest of their lives.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats are essential for the development of your toddler’s brain and heart. Your toddler should get 30 to 40 percent of their daily calories from fat. They should also eat at least 39 grams of fat per day for every 1,000 calories they consume. Healthy fats can be found in fish and fatty meats. You can also add them to smoothies and toast.
The amount of salt your child is eating can be dangerous. Too much salt is linked to obesity and other diseases later in life. To make sure your toddler is getting enough salt, check the labels of foods and beverages for sodium. You can also compare calorie and fat content between products by looking for the percentage Daily Value (% DV).
Another important part of your toddler’s diet is fat. The central nervous system needs fat to function and grow. A toddler’s brain needs about 50 percent of its calories from fat, a good source of which should be polyunsaturated fat. A toddler’s diet should contain at least 10 grams of healthy fat.
Finally
Fruits and vegetables are another important part of a healthy diet for toddlers. Choose fruits and vegetables in various shapes, colors, and textures. Also, avoid overly-processed foods. Often, processed foods are high in sodium.
