Toddler nutrition

Toddler nutrition is the description of the dietary needs of toddlers (aged one to two years old).

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Importance of nutrition

Food provides the energy and nutrients that toddlers need to be healthy. An adequate intake in nutrient rich food is good nutrition. A diet lacking essential calories, minerals, fluid and vitamins could be considered 'bad' nutrition.

Nutrition needs

Nutrition needs are different for toddlers.

Vitamins and minerals

• Your child needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to grow healthy and strong.
• Vitamin D, iron, and zinc are three important ones.

Breast milk

For a baby, breast milk is best and it has all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Weaned from breast milk

• Toddlers typically have been weaned from breast milk and infant formula.
• Though infants usually start eating solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age, more and more solid foods are consumed by a growing toddler.
• If a food introduced one at a time, a potential allergen can be identified.

Vegetables and fruits

• Offer toddlers a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives.

Prevention of choking

• Have your toddler sit at a table for meals and snacks and not wander around with food in their mouth.
• Foods such as hot dogs, candy, nuts and seeds, raw carrots, grapes, popcorn, and chunks of peanut butter can be choking risks.

Tips

• When deciding on foods and beverages, choose options that are full of nutrients and lower in sodium and avoid added sugars.
• Avoid foods and beverages with added sugars and choose those with lower sodium.

Drinks

• Did you know the only beverages your toddler needs are water, milk, and, if available, breastmilk
• Avoid drinks with added sugars like soda, flavored milks, juice drinks, and sports drinks.

Try new foods

• Try serving a new food alongside a familiar food in the same meal.
• It may take up to 8-10 tries for a child to accept a new food.

Serve safe food

• Help your child learn to wash their hands before eating.
• Only serve foods that have been cooked properly and avoid serving your toddler unpasteurized (raw) juice or milk.