GOOD FOOD FOR TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Toddlers and preschoolers are constantly brimming with curiosity, enthusiasm and determination. It is their playful approach towards life which enables them to learn. Parents may worry about what their child eats during these critical years of development and growth. There may be a large discrepancy between what you believe your child should eat and what they actually consume. Here are some guidelines.
Understanding your toddler and your preschooler
Significant changes occur between one year and 5 years. While growing up physically, children also adopt their own personality. They become more capable, more curious and independent. Sooner or later they all begin to test the limits that you impose. When a toddler refuses to eat a food that, until then, was his favorite, he is testing his new sense of mastery as a person. When a preschooler asks “why” carrots are orange, rather than eating, he shows his love of learning. This is part of normal development of the child.
How do children eat?
Although every child is different, you may have noticed some of the following characteristics in yours.
A natural curiosity
Food is something that we can explore, enjoy and share with others.
A specific goal
When they are hungry, children fix their attention on their meal and once satisfied, they fix their attention elsewhere.
Changes in appetite
The appetite increases during growth spurts and periods of intense activity and it decreases when growth slows or when children are tired or excited.
Children love the company
Children enjoy eating with others and often copy their food preferences.
How do I determine if my child is healthy?
Healthy children are active children. They seem energized and like to play with their friends and family.
Healthy children grow up according to their own model of growth, driven and plateaus. Taking note of the regular size and weight of your child, you will determine its pattern of gradual growth. To do this, you should note the size and weight of your child more than once a year. If your child deviates from its model of growth, it is possible that the diet is inadequate.
Remember also that young healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Like adults, children must learn to love their bodies and have good self-esteem.
The well-fed children, like to spend, have a good self-esteem and view life with optimism.
How to recognize a model of healthy eating among children?
Small portions, high frequency
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating (Health and Welfare Canada, 1992) promotes a model of diet that meets nutritional needs of Canadians aged four and over. For younger children, the portions are too many and too big. Smaller portions are preferred. Because children eat small amounts of food at once, they must eat several times during the day to meet their needs nutrients and energy. The best way to do it for them is to eat three meals a day and a nutritious snack between meals.
Some foods pose a risk to young children can choke on popcorn, peanuts, peanut butter crunch, seeds, raisins, hard candies and chunks of fruit or raw vegetables. These foods may indeed be too hard for your child to swallow. Helping your child to enjoy a variety of foods without the risk it chokes, cut the grapes or other fruits, vegetables, hot dogs and meat into julienne. Blanch raw vegetables to make them easier to swallow. Children love to.
Variety
Choosing a variety of foods from the four food groups – grain products, vegetables and fruits, dairy products, meat and alternatives – is the cornerstone of healthy eating. The Food Guide encourages the selection of complex carbohydrates like breads and whole grains and enriched, vegetables and fruits. These foods seem very popular with young children.
Children should not be limited in their choices of nutritious foods because of fat. Children, especially those with smaller appetites, need foods that give energy and nutrients to meet their needs for growth and activities. This is especially true of toddlers. It is recommended to use whole milk rather than low-fat milk for your toddler, whole milk is a good source of energy and food until the age of two years at least. When toddlers go to preschool, they may learn to love the same foods, but lower in fat, including dairy products, meat, poultry and fish with less fat, eat as the other family members. They thus adopt good eating habits that they will remain for life.
Foods other than those of the four food groups can also add variety to the diet. Other foods such as biscuits, cakes and candy can be fun at times, but they should not replace foods that contain nutrients and energy children need.
What is the best way to guide my child to a healthy diet?
Your child and you must take all decisions on healthy eating. Your child is best placed to determine the quantity of food he eats – he will eat when hungry and stop when it no longer hungry. Your role as a parent is given the choice between a variety of good food. By sharing the pleasure of enjoying a variety of food, a relaxed manner that inspires confidence, you will both be on track to healthy eating.