- Childhood Illnesses Picture Slideshow
- Parenting and Healthy Eating Slideshow Pictures
- Parenting - Fitness and Exercise Slideshow Pictures
- Toddler food facts
- What should my toddler be eating?
- How do I ensure that my toddler is getting enough vitamins and minerals?
- How do I get my toddler to eat in general and eat vegetables in particular?
- Is there a limit to how much seafood my toddler can eat each week?
- Is there a limit to how much juice, milk, or salt my toddler should consume each day?
- How do I deal with my toddler's temper tantrums at mealtimes?
- Should I be feeding my toddler low-fat foods to avoid childhood obesity?
- Should I be concerned that my toddler eats hair, sand, and dirt?
- How do I incorporate breastfeeding into my toddler's feeding schedule?
- I think my child may have a food allergy. What should I do?
- How can I instill healthy eating habits in my child?
- Where can I find healthy recipes for my toddler?
Quick GuideToddler Milestones: Your Child's Second Year of Development
What should my toddler be eating?
A healthy diet contains four basic elements: carbohydrates, protein, fat, and minerals (for example, iron and calcium) and vitamins. The USDA has recently revised the food pyramid to reflect the most current consensus regarding infant, child, and adult nutrition. Carbohydrate sources include grains, vegetables, and fruits. Protein sources include meats (beef, pork, poultry, and fish), tofu and lentils, eggs, and milk/dairy products. While fats are important for general health (especially for brain and nervous system development for children <2 years of age), an emphasis on monounsaturated fats is recommended. Similarly, excessive intake of saturated fats and trans fats should be avoided.
How do I ensure that my toddler is getting enough vitamins and minerals?
Parents must accept a fundamental point. Their job is to provide a healthy diet and lead by example. Their child's job is to eat when hungry. If a toddler is not hungry or believes he can "hold out" and get treats, he will refuse to eat. The good news is that almost no child will let himself go hungry, much less "starve." Toddlers are in a continuous battle for independence, whether it is mastering language and motor skills or determining what will enter their mouth. Being very observant, they quickly realize that eating is the only facet of their daily activities over which they have 100% control -- and they will not surrender that control to anyone! Pediatric registered dieticians suggest evaluating your child's nutritional intake on a weekly (not daily) basis. Several long-term studies have demonstrated that, when offered a quality diet, toddlers will consume appropriate portions of the foods necessary for good health. A major advertising campaign for the toddler food dollar exists -- take out/fast food intake has been rising steadily over the recent years. Marketing has been a success. A 2-year-old child can identify 20 logos, many of which are food related: golden arches, fried chicken buckets, and others constantly shower children with enticements of fun foods and games and are often co-marketed with the latest movie. At the end of the day, if a parent is concerned their child isn't getting enough vitamins and minerals, taking a daily multivitamin is a reasonable option. Such a supplement does not, however, provide the necessary carbohydrates, protein, or fats necessary for a healthy child.