It is never too soon to teach children healthy eating habits. Parents should practice healthy eating habits so that children have a good role model. There are many things that parents should remember during mealtime with toddlers.

First, mealtime with toddlers is usually very messy. Toddlers are developing the fine motor skills that are necessary for using a spoon and feeding themselves. They will probably prefer to use their hands to eat, so try some finger foods to transition from pureed baby food to table food. Parents should also use toddler size servings. Most toddlers have a decreased appetite, and by giving small portions and letting them ask for more, parents may reduce the risk of toddlers playing with or throwing their food.

Toddlers may be able to say when they have had enough food, but they will not instinctively know that they should choose healthy foods. That’s where the parents will have to step in. Parents should provide a variety of foods so toddlers not only taste new food regularly, but also get the nutrients that their bodies need for growth. According to the USDA’s My Pyramid, the daily recommendations for toddlers two and above are as follows:

• Grains: 3 ounces (1.5 whole grains)
• Vegetables: 1 cup
• Fruits: 1 cup
• Milk: 2 cups
• Meats and Beans: 2 ounces
• Oils: 3 teaspoons
• Fats and Sugars: limited

It is important that parents offer healthy meals and snacks that follow the food guide pyramid so children receive the nutrients they need and to decrease the chance of obesity in later years. Though parents may be concerned that their child is not getting enough to eat, this is not the time to battle over food. Try to avoid overfeeding. Children know when they have had enough and as long as the parent is offering healthy foods they should get the nutrients they require. The “clean plate club” should try to be avoided. If children eat as much as they can at lunch and the parent thinks they did not have enough to eat, the child can be offered a healthy snack in a couple of hours such as fruit or vegetables. Be sure to remember they have toddler size stomachs so they need toddler-size servings. Parents should avoid using food as a reward. If the child does something that requires a reward, try non food items such as stickers, extra play time or maybe reading a book.

Children should not be given too much juice throughout the day. Try to stick to three to four ounces a day. If a child likes juice, parents can try diluting it with water to make it last longer while also reducing the amount of sugar the child consumes at one time. Milk is also a very important beverage that children should be getting every day. They should get at least two cups of dairy products a day. Until 24 months of age, children should drink whole milk. Dietary fats should not be limited until the age of two. After that, parents can offer milk other than whole fat such as 2% fat milk.

With parents providing a variety of healthy options for their toddlers then there should be no concern with their nutritional health. If concerns do arise, be sure to talk to a pediatrician or dietician to see what tips they may have for your child’s eating habits. Most importantly, remember that children will model what parents do. It will be difficult for children to want to eat fruits and vegetables when their parents never do. Parents have to model the healthy habits they want their children to learn.

Please contact me if you have any questions.