Parents of toddlers often wonder if their kids are getting enough to eat. Some toddlers seem too busy to slow down and eat. Others may be picky eaters. Toddlers don't eat a lot at one sitting, but they still need to eat a variety of healthy foods. That's where snacks come in.
Healthy snacks can help balance out an uneven diet. Snacks can boost the nutrients your toddler gets when you serve fruits, veggies, whole grains, dairy, and protein foods.
Most toddlers do well with three meals and two or three scheduled snacks a day — mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and again after dinner, if needed.
Toddlers love to feel in control, so offer two or three healthy options and let kids choose. You can offer smaller portions of the foods you serve at meals, or try:
Avoid foods that can cause choking, such as whole grapes, raisins, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, hot dogs, sausages, chunks of meat, hard cheese, raw veggies, or hard fruits.
Toddlers will eat what's served to them and ask for what they know is in the cabinet. So stock up on healthy snacks and avoid snacks that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
To help toddlers eat healthy:
Make mealtimes more pleasant and less stressful for everyone by learning how to handle a picky eater.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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