Toddler Food:Rules of the Eating ‘Game’
Toddler Food:Rules of the Eating ‘Game’
What kind of food should be given to toddlers? What are their likes and dislikes? How much food is enough for a toddler? Should I cook something special for my toddler or is the general family meal good? Are frozen foods a good option? How many times a day should a toddler be fed? Should I feed my toddler or let him feed himself? Should I fix my toddler’s meal times?
Parents ask a lot of questions regarding a toddler’s food. As your child grows, his requirements change. During his second year, for example, a child needs more nutritious food than during his first year.
We will discuss some important aspects of a toddler’s food so that you can provide healthy food, as well as give you some tips for convincing your child to eat that healthy food, too.
Rules of the Eating ‘Game’
There are some dos and don’ts that should be followed to encourage your toddler to eat healthy food.
Create a Family Mealtime: It is important to sit and eat together. Family mealtime is the best time to teach children about food and to present a good example of healthy eating. Toddlers are very keen observers, and they try to imitate everything their elders do. Therefore, if you eat fruits, vegetables, and home cooked food, and avoid fried food, your toddler will follow your lead.
Disconnect from the Media: Make sure you turn off your TV and hang up your phone—your Facebook and WhatsApp friends are not going anywhere! Don’t worry, your favourite TV programme will be telecast again or will be available on the internet. Make your mealtime a special occasion where you can focus on food and family with no distractions; try to avoid unnecessary discussion, too. Teach your toddler table manners that she can carry throughout her life.
Choose from the Available Food: It is often observed that mums make special food for their toddlers. If their child doesn’t like anything that has been served on the table, mums are quick to provide him with the food of his choice. This unnecessary care can make your toddler a picky eater, which is not only difficult for you but results in malnutrition, too.
Let your child choose from what you have already cooked. If he refuses, encourage him to take two or three bites. By and by, he will start eating the general family meal. Don’t be a cook who is expected to cook anything, anytime.
Give Small Portions: Parents often give their toddlers quite a big portion and then force them to finish it. In this way, toddlers develop a dislike for that particular food.
Accept the fact that your toddler will eat a portion of food and leave a portion—your toddler cannot eat as much as you eat! Parents should learn to judge the amount of food their toddler can eat. For example, your toddler only needs a piece of meat as big as her palm.
Don’t Give up If Your Toddler Won’t Eat a Particular Food: Generally, parents complain that their toddler doesn’t like one food or another. They claim that they’ve tried but cannot make their child eat a particular veggie or fruit. However, according to experts, kids need to be exposed to a food at least 10 to 20 times before they’ll eat it and another 10 to 20 times before they decide that they like it. Don’t give up: let your child taste a food on at least 20 to 40 different occasions in order to teach them to eat or like it.
Give a Variety of Food: It is important to note that toddlers like to explore new things, including new food. Present a variety of different coloured veggies and fruits. Pair new foods with ones your toddler already likes. In this way, your child will gradually and gently be exposed to new foods, too.
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