Parents Guide to a Healthy Toddler's Diet

The other day I was invited to the first birthday party of my friend's son. She was a little confused about his diet, though. She was not sure whether it is ok to give the child the same food as us adults. I find many new moms like her in a similar situation.

A toddler can sit and have a meal with us at the dining table. Mostly toddlers are into their teething time, so give them mashed or minced food. Take care that the food they eat is not very spicy or salty. When the toddler is a little older, he will enjoy eating finger foods and by the time he turns two, he can eat the same sort of food as us.

However, there are some guidelines that need to be followed in a toddler's diet.

• A well balanced diet A diet rich in all the food groups like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fat and minerals will give your toddler all the nutrients that are required for his body. Keeping your toddler away from fat-rich foods is strictly not recommended. Instead, you can include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to complete the baby's nutrition.

• Don't watch your toddler's weight. Toddlers are very active all through the day and they need lots of food to restore their energy. Eating a lot does not make a toddler fat. Let your child eat whatever he wishes. Also, never force the child to eat. Toddlers understand their appetite and know when their tummy is full. Even if a child is eating less, and he is bubbly and spirited all day, there is no point to worry at all.

• Go natural, avoid processed food. Always try and feed your child fresh food. In the case of dehydrated or tinned food, it satisfies hunger, but does not provide any nutritional value to the child. These foods contain a lot of salt, which stresses the toddler's kidneys as well. Other preserved or processed food has artificial colors, flavors and preservatives which are not helpful either.

• No sweetened drinks for the baby. These types of artificially sweetened drinks may cause cavities in your child's teeth. Moreover, even though you opt for "no added sugar" drinks, they are sweet enough to harm the teeth. If your toddler feels hungry or thirsty other than meal times, giving him clean water or milk to drink is a good option.

• Boost up on calories. It is not a good idea to restrict a toddler's calorie intake. Children need lots of energy as they grow fast. Their body receives this energy through the calorie intake.

One more point to note here is that, calories do not imply sweetened breakfast cereals or salty fried chips. The baby needs complex carbohydrates like banana, pasta or a whole grain bread to satisfy his appetite and provide fuel to his body. Mothers should remember that a toddler eats small portions of food many times a day. She should ensure that these portions are wholesome. Give the toddler nourishing munchies for those hunger pangs between two meals.