Meals for Small Children

At the age of 2 children can have homogenized whole cow's milk. Alternatives to whole milk include 2% low fat or skim milk. In addition, the child's diet should resemble the diet of the other family members. 3 meals per day, along with 2 healthy snacks (such as fruits or vegetables) are the essentials of a toddler's diet. 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. Use your judgment while weaning your child from the bottle. The USDA guidelines should be something you look for on toddler foods. The US Department of Agriculture promotes a healthy eating guideline for children 2 years of age or older. There are five major food groups that make up the food pyramid. To create a healthy diet, a combination of food groups should be eaten daily to maintain one's health. The five groups are comprised of: 1) Grains, including 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked pasta / rice, 1/2 cup of warmed cereal, and 1 ounce of cereal. *Six servings of this group are what your child should eat. 2) 1/2 cup of chopped or raw vegetables, or 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables are included in the vegetable group. *Three servings a day, from this group, is what your child should consume. 3) Fruit group servings include 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of 100% fruit juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit. *Your child should eat two servings per day from this food group. 4) Milk group servings include 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 2 ounces of cheese. *This is the group your child should eat 2 servings from. Some children are lactose intolerant. Children may want yogurt or hard cheese if they have stomach discomfort from lactose intolerance. Check these items out, they are easier to digest. Drinking more milk with meals and snacks is another great option. Luckily, grocery stores now carry lactose-reduced dairy products. Consult with your child's physician or a registered dietician if the condition persists. 5) One meat group serving example is: 2 to 3 oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish, or 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat. *Your youngster needs to consume 2 servings out of this group. As youngsters grow up, you'll realize their appetites decrease. Sometimes they become “picky” eaters as their growth rate slows. As long as they maintain a healthy weight and have a normal activity level, you have little to worry about. When considering your child's overall health, daily nutrition is an important part. Several medical conditions such as obesity, weak bones or diabetes, can be prevented by following a proper nutrition plan. You can make sure that your toddler grows to his/her full potential if you follow the USDA guidelines.