Toddler
12-36 months
You’ve made it this far (congrats!), but so far your baby’s eating habits have been somewhat predictable. However, you’re now entering uncharted waters. Your child is starting to develop his/her own unique personality, and soon his/her feeding habits will follow suite. The only thing that is certain is that you will have food thrown at you at least once! Don’t take offense, just wipe it off, and remember the following tips to making food fun and healthy for your toddler.
Toddler Health Tips
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Talk food - Help foster a healthy interest in food by discussing where food comes from and why it’s important.
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Fussy eating habits - Like cats, toddlers are often finicky when it comes to food. Whether it’s a fear of trying something new or a desire to exert their independence, toddlers tend to reject more food than they accept. A few tips to help the picky eater include: providing options at mealtime, having him/her eat with other toddlers (gotta love peer pressure!) and presenting food in smaller more manageable portions.
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Set boundaries – It’s important for your toddler to learn about food boundaries at a young age. While they might not like the confinement of a dinner table, it’s good to help them learn about scheduled meal times.
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Teach healthy snacking – Your toddler will be hungry at any and all times. Always be prepared with a healthy snack. Carry snacks around in reusable containers to avoid messes and to keep the food fresh. Sliced apples or whole grain waffles are always great ideas (hint: squeeze lemon juice on the sliced apples to prevent them from turning brown).
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Make food fun – Do things at mealtime to engage your child’s other senses like arranging the food in a unique pattern (smiley face) or playing music while eating. Talk to them while you eat. Learn to put sauces, spices, etc., on the side until your child can fully appreciate them (just don’t deny everyone else). Meals should be a time to connect with the whole family, and the little ones shouldn’t be excluded. Just have patience!