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Niche Topics (Pregnancy and Kids) is all about practical parenting advice and parenting
skills to help you deal with common parenting challenges from toddlerhood to teen
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By Martha Sanders
As your baby matures into a toddler, he learns and grows in many ways. During this period, there's increased physical and mental development as the brain prepares for the challenges of more developed walking and talking. To ensure the healthiest growth, a well balanced diet is crucial.
When planning a toddler's menu include:
1. Milk and dairy foods – They provide protein, Vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of calories for your growing toddler.
2. Meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas and lentils – They're rich in nutrients including
protein, Vitamins and minerals. Some proteins contain essential iron and omega-
You can offer boys up to four portions of oily fish per week, such as mackerel, tuna,salmon and sardines, but it's best to give girls no more than two portions.
Meat, green leafy vegetables, apricots, raisins, beans, lentils and chickpeas, iron-
Toddlers raised as vegetarians should have three servings of iron and consumed with
Vitamin C-
3. Bread, and other cereals such as rice, couscous, pasta, cereals, potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes – These starchy foods provide energy, Vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fiber helps digestion and prevents constipation in children.
4. Fruit and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C, and other protective Vitamins and minerals for a healthy body inside and out. In general, include bright colored fruits (unpeeled and washed well) and veggies such as broccoli, green beans, carrot, sweet potato, tomatoes, spinach, watermelon, orange, strawberries, banana, peaches, apricots, pears and apples in your toddler's diet.
While fiber is good but it can be very filling for a small tummy. Too much fiber may interfere with your toddler's appetite and hence unable to provide enough of the energy and nutrients he needs.
A sample toddler's menu looks something like this:
Breakfast
100 ml orange juice
25 grams whole-
½ sliced banana
100
ml milk in cereal
Mid-
½ slice wholemeal bread with 2 tablespoons peanut butter
100 ml milk
Lunch
½ toasted cheese sandwich
1 wedge of orange
100 ml milk
Afternoon snack
whole grain pretzels
100 ml apple juice
Dinner
25 grains whole-
1
tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
25 grams sweet potato mash
100 ml milk
Bedtime snack
1 mini bran muffin
100 ml milk
A Day's Sample Menu for Toddler
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