Your
Toddler's Nutritional Needs
There's no reason why healthy toddlers can't get all the vitamins and
minerals they need from a balanced diet.
The
good new is that you don't have to waste your money on expensive supplements
- just follow a few basic nutitional guidelines.
Fats
Many families try to reduce their fat intake by avoiding fried food and
added fats.
A
diet without fry-ups and wodges of butter is suitable for toddlers BUT
they should have full milk and dairy products like cheese and yoghurt.
A growing toddler needs the fat-soluble vitamins they contain. Towards
the end of the year, your child can have semi-skimmed milk - but not skimmed
yet.
Protein
Small children need some animal protein, which doesn't have to be meat
or fish. Eggs, cheese or full milk will do equally well. Don't embark
on a vegan diet for your child without consulting a qualified nutritionist.
Calcium
and minerals
Toddlers needs about one pint of milk per day. If they don't like milk,
it can be disguised in scrambled eggs, pancakes or milk puddings. Yoghurt
and cheese will also do.
Vitamins
Toddlers who have a varied diet with
fresh food are likely to get all the vitamins they needs. A poorly child
who is not eating well may need extra vitamins A, D and C. Vitamin D is
found in egg yolk and fatty fish and is made in the skin in sunlight by
pale skins. Toddlers with dark skin may need extra vitamin D during the
winter.
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