Toddler's Diet

A toddler’s diet should be a balanced meal and based on his eating pattern. Find out ways by which you can keep the toddler eating happily. The eating pattern of a toddler can be a bit baffling, just like ever changing taste buds. He is likes something and then simply refuses to have the same thing the other day, making a face as if it is so tasteless. It is indeed difficult at times for parents to understand and get a right hang of what the toddler would be really enjoying and deciding on a proper diet. It is worrisome when the toddler turns to a fussy eater and just refuses a bite of even his most favourite food, on a given day. It is however important to keep a keen eye on his diet as maintaining his nutrition levels is very necessary. This is a developmental stage where he is required to have highly nutritious as well as a balanced meal. Here are a few options that you can try out to keep the toddler eating happily: In this articleGive the Right Start to the DayTime Out the Meals WellNever OverfeedGet the Snack Time RightGive the Right Start to the Day Breakfast is the main food of the day. Those who skip breakfast, even toddlers, are found to be irritable by nature, not to mention the harmful effects it has on the body. So ensure that the breakfast of your toddler is a healthy one, replete with all essential energy providers to kick off the day with a bang! Time Out the Meals Well You need to chart out a meal routine for the toddler so that the first meal that is, the breakfast is on time, and you are able to gauge when the toddler will be hungry and require a mid-morning snack. He needs to be fed on time so that his tummy does not get a chance to growl with hunger. After all, you will only have to deal with the ensuing crankiness and suppressing hunger is not good for the baby as well. Never Overfeed Sometimes parents might feel it convenient to feed the toddler a little more than what is his normal appetite, as you apprehend that he might need to skip a meal, due to certain reasons. This is a very bad idea. Whatever be the reason, whether you will not be available during the next meal, or you will be travelling with the baby and feeding him on the move is fussy, it is not viable to force down extra food down the little one’s throat. There are chances of indigestion and his throwing up. Besides, this will hamper his body’s sense of eating routine. Get the Snack Time Right Whether it is the mid-morning, afternoon or evening snack, it needs to be timed right. Just at the time when the toddler needs a refuel, or simply desires to chew on something that is, not “very hungry”, but in a mood to eat. This will help him replenish his energy levels on time and keep away the crankiness. You must study your toddler well, and understand the type of taste that he is developing. Although as mentioned earlier, it can get quite difficult as you might be faced with weird days in between, when nothing goes right with him. Just let it pass and keep your cool. Remember, you too as an adult can be cranky on certain days and not feel good about food. So, allow this benefit to the little one as well, more so, as he is still learning to express himself through language and state his actual difficulty. Most important, help the toddler understand that his preferences are being taken into account, as you help him feel good and enjoy his meal.

A toddler’s diet should be a balanced meal and based on his eating pattern. Find out ways by which you can keep the toddler eating happily.

The eating pattern of a toddler can be a bit baffling, just like ever changing taste buds. He is likes something and then simply refuses to have the same thing the other day, making a face as if it is so tasteless. It is indeed difficult at times for parents to understand and get a right hang of what the toddler would be really enjoying and deciding on a proper diet.

It is worrisome when the toddler turns to a fussy eater and just refuses a bite of even his most favourite food, on a given day. It is however important to keep a keen eye on his diet as maintaining his nutrition levels is very necessary. This is a developmental stage where he is required to have highly nutritious as well as a balanced meal.

Here are a few options that you can try out to keep the toddler eating happily:

Give the Right Start to the Day

Breakfast is the main food of the day. Those who skip breakfast, even toddlers, are found to be irritable by nature, not to mention the harmful effects it has on the body. So ensure that the breakfast of your toddler is a healthy one, replete with all essential energy providers to kick off the day with a bang!

Time Out the Meals Well

You need to chart out a meal routine for the toddler so that the first meal that is, the breakfast is on time, and you are able to gauge when the toddler will be hungry and require a mid-morning snack. He needs to be fed on time so that his tummy does not get a chance to growl with hunger. After all, you will only have to deal with the ensuing crankiness and suppressing hunger is not good for the baby as well.

Never Overfeed

Sometimes parents might feel it convenient to feed the toddler a little more than what is his normal appetite, as you apprehend that he might need to skip a meal, due to certain reasons. This is a very bad idea. Whatever be the reason, whether you will not be available during the next meal, or you will be travelling with the baby and feeding him on the move is fussy, it is not viable to force down extra food down the little one’s throat. There are chances of indigestion and his throwing up. Besides, this will hamper his body’s sense of eating routine.

Get the Snack Time Right

Whether it is the mid-morning, afternoon or evening snack, it needs to be timed right. Just at the time when the toddler needs a refuel, or simply desires to chew on something that is, not “very hungry”, but in a mood to eat. This will help him replenish his energy levels on time and keep away the crankiness.

You must study your toddler well, and understand the type of taste that he is developing. Although as mentioned earlier, it can get quite difficult as you might be faced with weird days in between, when nothing goes right with him. Just let it pass and keep your cool. Remember, you too as an adult can be cranky on certain days and not feel good about food. So, allow this benefit to the little one as well, more so, as he is still learning to express himself through language and state his actual difficulty. Most important, help the toddler understand that his preferences are being taken into account, as you help him feel good and enjoy his meal.