A child can be very tricky and picky at the matter of feeding. But then mothers should know what the most important thing is for my child. Nourishing a toddler can be a dare. They can all of a sudden begin turning down their desired food or may like rather totally unlikely. Your little one, who was eating like how you wanted, might spin into a picky eater suddenly. Most toddler build up interest about food and new intake practice as they develop. While few foods are crucial for their development and every child has exclusive nutritional needs and liking. But almost every child’s basic needs are same. Few of the most vital nutrients are
- Calcium which help in growing strong bone and teeth.
- Iron It plays important function in making hemoglobin.
- Vitamin A helps to build good vision.
- Vitamin C it maintains cells and boosts immune system.
- Vitamin D very essential for accomplishment of growth requirements.
Keep an eye on your child and make certain they take a seat to munch or drink. Push them to take little bites and to chew up the food. Keep changing menus once in a while as kids also get uninterested just like us. Also try giving them diverse taste. You must start from runny food to semi solid and then finally entering solid food. But sometime kids do not feel like chewing food even they are use to eat solid food. So never mind as long as it is something healthy, you can always give them. Keep in mind when they know to “eat”, they will slowly but surely come on solid food and will never look back. Your kid is required to use a small quantity of sugar each day because it’s an essential supply of energy. A glass of milk from 12 months onwards is a must (unless it causes allergy in some kids). Make it a habit from beginning. It might take some time but eventually a child will learn to drink and will like the flavor of it.
I will divide the food for toddler in three ways.
FINGER FOOD
You can give your preschooler these fruits and vegetables in a finger form. Make sure that make it look tempting. Cucumbers, Carrots, apples, tomatoes .dates are very yummy and can give your kids required nutrition. We can also include in them long rusks, cheese sticks, boiled eggs and some time popcorns (after 24 months) munching on. Also some time toasted breads, cut them in long shape, spread something like jam on them and can give to your child.
COOKED MEALS
There are many varieties in this slot. In the beginning you may give them very runny but gradually you may decrease the water content in it. You can give them oat meal and wheat porridge. Also make some cereals for them to have in breakfast. Boil rice is a good option and baked potatoes too. Also try giving them semolina pudding (suji kheer). If they are learning to chew you may give them muffins and pancakes for breakfast. Ill share few very easy recipes below.
HEALTHY DRINKS
There are numerous special kinds of drinks that you may offer to your growing child. Chocolate shake surely wins the list. Also strawberry shake and banana shake are good alternatives. Start the use of yogurt after 8 months. And make yogurt drinks (lassi) and smoothies and give them to your toddlers in a Sippy cup. They will love them no doubt. Also start to give slight diluted fresh juices like apple and oranges and then gradually lessen the water content. I will also share a winning smoothie recipe below.
Wheat Porridge Recipe
Take some easy to cook porridge in a sauce pan. Add half glass of water in it. Put it on stove. Add a piece of tomato and carrot and a little piece of chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure the water does not dry up. When still little water is left and chicken is cooked, grind it. (It depends on a kid if he likes completely grind or a coarse one). This will be very healthy. You can alternate with other vegetables to change the taste.
Smoothie Recipe
Take half glass of milk .add in it 3 table spoon of yogurt. Add in 1 banana, few strawberries, few spinach leaves and little honey (can replace with sugar if your kid dislike honey). If it is summer add few ice cubes. Blend it thoroughly. Give your child in breakfast. Also you can give when he is hungry during evening.
SOME NECESSARY DEALING
- Do not always relay on shakes, milk or a smoothie. May be sometimes. But milk intake must be made vital
- Try eating with your child whatever you have given them to eat. In this way they will learn whatever you are eating like salads. They will also not think that they are forced to eat.
- A mother should know what is best for the child and what she /he likes. And what are those things which are not suitable for her child.
Also not always cling to give them healthy only. But you can give them fries and nuggets and occasionally ice creams. Also when you have a picky eater, reward them with fries when they finish their meal.
Submitted by: PakMums Member, Asma sohail
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