| Healthy eating for children should be a top priority for | | | | their solid food diet. If your toddler already prefers to |
| parents. At around 3 to 4 years of age, young children | | | | bypass vegetables then consider deceptive |
| should already by eating whatever the family is eating. | | | | alternatives like incorporating vegetable purees into |
| The daily eating habits of your family will have a direct | | | | sauces and batter mixes. |
| impact on the overall health and wellness of all family | | | | - Do not use food as a bargaining tool, bribe or pacifier. |
| members. Another important aspect of healthy eating | | | | - Turn off the television and eliminate any other |
| is portion control. The following tips and suggestion can | | | | distractions during meal times. This can ensure children |
| help ensure that your growing toddler is well fed and | | | | pay attention to their eating and help prevent |
| nourished in proportion to their appetite. | | | | unconscious consumption of food beyond a satisfied |
| - Although some toddlers may seem to eat like an | | | | appetite. |
| adult it does not mean that they should. Young children | | | | - Track your toddlers calorie intake. Nine hundred to |
| should be fine with half the portion an adult would | | | | fourteen hundred calories is typical for a four to five |
| normally eat. | | | | year old child. |
| - Go easy on the snacks with maybe two or three | | | | Parents should lead by example and eat healthy. Fruits, |
| per day. Any more than that can spoil their appetite. | | | | vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products |
| - Avoid giving pastries, candy, high sodium or greasy | | | | are a good start to health conscious eating. Milk should |
| foods as snacks. If you your kids are craving sweets | | | | be an essential part of any toddlers diet. Get rid of the |
| then give them apple or banana slices. Trail mix, carrot | | | | soda, chips and store bought cookies and pastries. |
| sticks, string cheese or low fat yogurt are good | | | | Think about and plan appropriately for the long term |
| options for snacking. | | | | health of not only your toddler age children but all |
| - Try to introduce vegetables as early as possible into | | | | members of the family. |