Family foods

• Pinky McKay
• July 1, 2008
• Page 1 of 2 | Single Page View

Toddler

A lot of confusion arises around feeding as your chubby baby becomes a toddler: although he is now very active, the rapid growth of your toddler's first year will slow down and his appetite may decrease accordingly. 

He will also be so busy exploring his world or playing with his toys and practising his new physical skills that he may simply have better things to do than stop and eat. 

As well as less interest in food, your toddler's limited concentration span will mean it is unrealistic to expect him to sit at a table for a three-course meal (unless it can be eaten in minutes!). His eating behaviour will seem erratic as his appetite tends to fluctuate from day to day - he may have an 'eating day' followed by several days when he seems less hungry. Also, in the second year it is common for little ones to use food (or refusal of food) to assert their developing independence.

Because of your toddler's small appetite, it is important to make sure that the foods you do offer are not 'empty' fillers that will affect his appetite for more healthy food (and no, tomato sauce doesn't count as a vegetable!). Try to include a wide variety of foods in as close to their natural state as possible. This means eating fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, meats and free-range eggs, and drinking water or milk, instead of filling your toddler with processed foods such as chicken nuggets, coloured
'yoghurts', biscuits, flavoured milk or cordial. But don't stress about every morsel that your child eats because he hasn't had a required daily intake or sampled every food group in a single day. Remember, you can't worry your toddler into eating - your anxiety is more likely to have the opposite effect. However, if you do feel concerned about your child's eating patterns, try keeping a food diary for a week. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that over a week he is eating a reasonably healthy
amount and variety of food. Continued...

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