What Foods Do Toddlers Eat?
Feeding a toddler can sometimes be challenging, whether it's for a snack or a meal. When it comes to the question of what foods toddlers eat, many toddlers can be picky and some toddlers eat everything. Whether your toddler stays at home or goes to preschool, it is important to make a meal or snack that is both appealing and nutritious. Healthy Children advises not to feed a toddler foods that are choking hazards like raw vegetables, peanuts and grapes.
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Yogurt with Fruit
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Yogurt with fruit is a healthy food that toddlers enjoy. According to The Leaf Lady, yogurt contains many vitamins such as calcium, protein and B vitamins. Ask Dr. Sears explains that yogurt helps toddlers with intestinal absorption issues grow because proteins that are easily digestible and lactic acid from yogurt increases mineral absorption. There are many flavors of yogurt, but Dr. Sears explains that the best nutritional yogurt is plain because it has only two ingredients: live cultures and milk. The more ingredients added to yogurt, the less nutritional value it holds.
Oatmeal
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Oatmeal is a nutritious food that toddlers eat for any meal or snack. Asiaing.com explains that oatmeal has many health benefits such as providing the body with dietary fiber which helps benefit the heart and cholesterol. Oatmeal contains whole grain fiber, iron, calcium, Vitamins A, B and E. The website states that, in two recent studies, children who ate oatmeal for breakfast performed better on several cognitive tasks of memory and attention versus children who ate nothing for breakfast.
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Granola Bars
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Granola bars are a healthy snack for toddlers to eat for a snack. Preschool Learning Online says granola bars are a hearty snack idea that stick to the ribs. Being Healthy.tv says the best granola bars should have more than 2g per bar of dietary fiber. Pay attention to the number of fats and sugars because granola bars with high amounts contain less nutritional value. Being Healthy.tv suggests to avoid artificial colors and flavors.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
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Toddlers love a good old fashion peanut butter and jelly sandwich to eat for lunch or snack. A peanut butter sandwich contains healthy protein, along with grain from the bread. Some toddlers enjoy adding fruit to their peanut butter and jelly sandwich such as apples or celery added on the side of the plate. Grains are a great source of fiber and you can use a bagel, pita, or wheat bread to serve a peanut butter sandwich.
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References
- The Leaf Lady; Health Benefits of Yoghurt
- AskDrSears.com; 10 Reasons Yogurt is A Top Health Food
- Asiaing.com; Oatmeal for Children and Toddlers
- Quaker Oats; Oatmeal for Children and Toddlers
- Preschool Learning Online; Healthy Preschool Kids Snacks
- Being Healthy.tv; Granola Bar: Healthy Treat or Sugary Treat?
Resources
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