From the very beginning, parents feed their babies the best
they can, whether it be breast milk, formula or both. As babies
grow in toddlers however, their nutritional needs change and
parents are left with more options of what to feed their
toddlers. Fortunately, there are many choices that parents can
make to promote healthy and nutritional eating habits in their
toddlers.
Start Your Toddler Off Right By Introducing Fruits,
Vegetables and Lean Meats
Pediatricians focus on feeding young children a balanced and
healthy diet. Some of the first foods pediatricians recommend
giving to toddlers are cubes of fresh fruits and cooked
vegetables. Not only are these cubes of fruits and veggies easy
and soft to eat, but they are packed with vitamins and nutrients
needed for proper development.
As your toddler begins to successfully eat fruits and veggies,
he or she can move on to small pieces of lean meats, fish and
whole grains. Use a food processor to blend different foods and
tastes together.
Using Organic Foods to Improve Baby’s Diet
One of the greatest advancements to toddler meals is using
organic foods. Organic foods can be purchased from the
supermarket, such as through buying organic fruits and
vegetables to prepare recipes with. There are also several
companies that make organic foods, including Heinz and Holle.
The advantage to using organic foods is that all the ingredients
are prepared carefully from organic farmers. These foods do not
contain any growth hormones or added chemicals and substances.
Instead, parents have the assurance that only all-natural
products are in their toddler’s foods.
What If a Parent Wants to Continue with Formula?
Formula provides children with added vitamins and minerals,
which is why it is beneficial to continue giving toddlers
formula. Be sure to choose a formula that is age-appropriate,
such as a formula through SMA called SUPER KID-plus, which is
specifically designed for a preschooler’s needs.
Where Parents Can Go For Meal Ideas and Support
For busy parents on the go, there are a number of parent clubs
that offer free meal ideas, advice and support. Bounty is the
UK’s #1 parenting club for mums and mums-to-be. Find all the
support you need on feeding your baby from birth and up by
signing up on their website.
Cow & Gate is another online parent support group that offers
expert feeding advice. Parents will find a variety of
information through Cow & Gate, as well as tips for weaning and
introducing new foods into a toddler’s diet. By joining these
online sites, parents can also get access to coupons and weekly
newsletters.