Sitting still while eating

One reason why toddlers don’t like to sit still at the family table is that their feet dangle. Try sitting on a stool while eating. more info

Separate your food

Buy child-size plates with separate compartments. Some toddlers do not like when foods mix together. more info

Making smothies

Youngster would rather drink than eat? Make a smoothie. Mix milk, fruit & supplements like yogurt & peanut butter more info

Spreading foods

Toddlers like spreading. Show how to use a table knife to spread cheese, peanut butter onto crackers or toast.

Encourage food

Encourage your child to try ‘grown-up’ fare. Lids are willing to try a new food if they see mommy enjoying it

Feeding themselves

Most toddlers like to feed themselves, so give them lots of chances.

New foods

Toddlers will often want to try what their parents are eating and that is a good opportunity to get them to try some new foods

Pack the punch

Offer child foods that pack lots of nutrition into small doses.

new foods

Present new foods at least twice a week.

Eating Habits

A toddler’s eating is erratic & unpredictable, but if viewed over several days, will balance out in terms of average daily needs.

Offer limited choices

Offer limited choices. For example, ask, ‘Do you want orange juice or apple juice?’ instead of ‘What do you want to drink?’

Snacking through the day

Young children need to snack throughout the day. Keep the snacks small and provide water instead of juice or milk. http://bit.ly/NMYmgq

Elaborate meals and toddlers

Try to avoid making elaborate meals for your toddler or offering foods with a lot of spices or sauces. Instead, keep things simple.

While you shouldn’t have to prepare a separate meal for your toddler every day, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to eat ‘adult’ foods.

From: keepkidshealthy.com

Cheese cleanses teeth

Did you know that cheese, as an in-between snack, helps minimize tooth decay?

Besides being a healthier choice for kids than sweets, cheese cleanses the teeth.

From: doodledudsdepot.com

Food precautions after the first year

By his first birthday, your child should be able to handle most of the foods you serve the rest of the family but with a few precautions.

Be sure the food is cool enough so that it won’t burn his mouth. Test the temperature yourself, because he’ll dig in without considering the heat.

Try to avoid foods that are heavily spiced, salted, buttered, or sweetened.

From: American Academy of Pediatrics

Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common example of food intolerance caused by lacking an enzyme needed to digest milk sugar.

When the child eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea can occur.

From: toddlerstoday.com

When to introduce new foods

Introduce new foods during the morning or early afternoon. This will enable you to deal with any adverse reactions when your pediatrician is in office.  Should an adverse reaction occur during the morning/early afternoon, it will cause the least amount of disruption in baby’s fragile routine.

From: wholesomebabyfood.com

finicky eater tip

One of the best ways to ensure that kids are enthusiastic about their meal is have them participate in making it. 

From: theattachedparent.com

Managing constipation

To manage constipation: The P Foods: Pears, Prunes, Peaches, Plums.

From: A Child grows in brooklyn.com

The beginning of food allergies

By the time a toddler reaches school age, food allergies have usually presented themselves. However, it can be important to remember that allergic reactions to foods served in a school setting are possible.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), about 25 percent of reactions in school-age children occurred at school, either in cafeterias, playgrounds or classrooms.

From: toddlerstoday.com