Healthy eating for your toddler

Developing eating habits and food preferences is a learned process, like sleeping through the night, potty training and other developmental skills. For the child to learn, you need to be actively involved in the process and do remember, this will take time.

Following are few tips to help initiate healthy eating habits in your child

• Do not expect your baby to sit down and eat a full meal three times a day. He will sometimes want to ‘graze’ or snack throughout the day instead of eating meals. Keep out a plate of healthy finger foods on his table.

• Toddlers need small portions. A good rule of thumb is to serve one tablespoon of food for each year of age. For example; serve two tablespoons of peas for a two year old. Let your child ask for more if he wants it. Give your child healthy choices. For example, ask if he wants an apple or a banana as a snack.

Keep beverages simple – milk, water and juices.

Keep off the child from soda and sweetened drinks for as long as possible.

• Avoid foods that can cause choking: whole nuts, grapes, hot dogs, popcorn, chunks of meat and vegetables, peanut butter and hard chunky candy.

• Toddlers can be messy eaters. The child will eat with his hands most of the time, but encourage him to use a child-size spoon and fork too. Serve small portions and keeping towels handy.

• Try reverse psychology. At mealtimes, have everyone sit down at the table and begin eating. Let your child sit in the highchair, but don't give him any food. He will watch everyone else eat, and realize he’s being left out.

• Avoid bribing or rewarding with food or candies. Give hugs and attention as rewards instead of chocolates or toffee's.

The Don’t’s

• Don’t give up- Babies’ tastes change on a daily basis. Just because the spits one thing a day does not mean he doesn’t like it. Unless he has demonstrated an allergic reaction, try the food again in a couple days.

• Do not insist that your baby finishes his meal- Make sure you serve your child with a variety of foods. Eating a variety of healthy foods will naturally lead to a balanced diet. For a starter, variety is more important than quantity.

• Don’t be in a rush- Many babies are slow eaters, and this is a good habit to encourage. Plan up plenty of time for meals and enjoy the experience.

• Don’t think that your baby will not make a mess- This is too unrealistic.

• Do not always make him eat what you’ve prepared- Offer him a variety of foods. But be careful not to give in too much but at the same time do not repeat the same food too often.

• Don’t always make a special meal for the toddler- Feed your baby like the rest of the family.