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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2010 - 11:39:35 |
How To Feed A Two-Year-Old
By Christine Steendahl
Oct 5, 2008, 03:31
How To Feed A Two-Year-Old
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By the age of 2 years, children are ready for homogenized whole cow's milk. Low fat and skim milk are great alternatives to whole milk, which can be fattening.
The child's eating habits should be very similar to the eating habits of other family members. A toddler's diet needs to include three meals per day and two nutritious snacks (fruits and veggies are good snacking options).
Milk and dairy products should be limited to about 16oz each day and 100% fruit juice to about 4-6 oz each day.
Introduce a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits. When children are switching to eating whole foods, you need to use good judgment.
The USDA guidelines should be something you look for on toddler foods. Children older than age 2 have a guideline for nutrition from the US Department of Agriculture.
The food pyramid focuses on the five major food groups. To create a healthy diet, a combination of food groups should be eaten daily to maintain one's health.
The basic make up of the 5 food groups include:
1) Grain group servings include 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, and 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal.
*Your child should eat 6 servings from this group.
2) 1/2 cup of chopped or raw vegetables, or 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables are included in the vegetable group.
*It would be beneficial for your child's body and brain to eat 3 servings from this group.
3) 1/4 cup dried fruit, or 1/2 cup canned fruit are two easy examples of one fruit group serving.
*Children ought to eat 2 servings from this group.
4) 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 2 ounces of cheese would be included in the milk group.
* Your child should eat 2 servings from this group.
Some kids are unable to tolerate products containing lactose. If your child experiences stomach discomfort from consuming lactose, they may prefer yogurt or hard cheeses, like cheddar.
These items are easier to digest. Drinking more milk with meals and snacks is another great option. Luckily, grocery stores now carry lactose-reduced dairy products.
If your child’s condition does not improve, you should talk to his or her doctor or certified diet specialist.
5) A serving in the meat group is two to three ounces of cooked poultry, fish or lean meat or 1/2 cup of cooked beans. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.
* Two servings from this group should be eaten by your child. As children become toddlers their appetite reduces. As they grow they become picky eaters. As long as a healthy weight level is sustained along with a standard exercise level, you won't have anything to worry about.
Daily nutrition is important to the overall health of your children. Several medical conditions such as obesity, weak bones or diabetes, can be prevented by following a proper nutrition plan. Following the USDA guidelines will insure that your toddler will grow to their full potential.
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