feeding time

By now, your baby should be eating similar food (in smaller portions), to the rest of the family, plus two or three small snacks a day

Don’t worry too much if your child is a ‘fussy’ eater. If all the food groups below are offered to them they should be getting what they need, even if you think that their diet seems limited. Fish fingers and cheesy baked beans on toast followed by an apple for tea every night may not be your idea of haute cuisine, but they pretty much cover all nutritional bases.

Try not to force food food on him – mealtimes should be enjoyable, not a battleground. The best thing you can do is to show by good example and eat healthily yourself. And always offer drinks from a cup now, rather than a bottle, to prevent tooth decay.

At Mothercare we have a range of first time cups to drink trainer systems, designed to protect toddlers’ teeth, and we’ve developed a special range of toddler bowls, plates and cutlery sets designed to meet a toddler’s needs as he learns to eat more grown-up food.

what to feed your toddler
Your little one can now enjoy a varied diet. The following highlight key food groups to ensure he gets all the nutrition he needs to develop and grow:

Milk and dairy foods – these provide protein, vitamins and minerals and are a good source of calories for growing children. Do not give low-fat products to children under two years old. Meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas and lentils – these are rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals. Bread and other cereals such as rice, pasta and breakfast cereals, potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes – these starchy foods provide calories, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Fresh fruit and vegetables – these contain vitamin C and other protective vitamins and minerals, plus fibre. Dried fruits such as raisins or sultanas – are a very good source of iron. Give during meal times rather than in between meals to avoid food staying on the teeth.
Fresh fruit and vegetables contain vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals, plus fibre
vegetarian children
Your child can be vegetarian, as long as their diet is rich in nutrients such as milk, cheese and eggs, so they get plenty of protein, vitamin A, calcium and zinc, and also make sure they get enough iron.

Iron is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, watercress, brussel sprouts and broccoli and pulses (beans, lentils and chickpeas). It’s also found in dried fruit (such as apricots or raisins) and in some breakfast cereals. However, it is more difficult to absorb from vegetable sources than from meat. To maintain your toddler’s iron levels:
Some foods are not suitable for developing toddlers or simply should be avoided to encourage good dental hygiene and healthy eating habits
Raw eggs and food that contains raw or partially cooked eggs because of the risk of salmonella, which causes food poisoning. If you give eggs to your toddler, make sure the eggs are cooked until both the white and yolk are solid. Shark, swordfish and marlin because these fish contain relatively high levels of mercury, which might affect a child's developing nervous system. You might also want to avoid giving raw shellfish to your toddler to reduce their risk of getting food poisoning. Sweet drinks such as sugary fizzy drinks and fruit squash because they cause tooth decay. If you do give fruit squash or sugary drinks, make sure they're well diluted with water and drunk at mealtimes. Between meals, it's better to give water or milk to drink. Added sugar or honey, or other sweet things. Avoid sugary treats to protect your child’s teeth and encourage healthy eating habits. Added salt. From the age of one to three, children should be having no more than 2g a day. If you're buying processed foods, even those aimed at children, remember to check the information given on the labels to choose those with less salt. Nuts are best avoided for children under five. View the latest advice on what to feed your toddler
Give your toddler foods containing iron each day. Try to give foods high in vitamin C, such as fruit and vegetables or diluted fruit juices at mealtimes, to help iron absorption.Don't give young children tea or coffee, especially at mealtimes, because this might reduce the amount of iron they can absorb.
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