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POPULAR articles
Niche Topics (Pregnancy and Kids) is all about practical parenting advice and parenting
skills to help you deal with common parenting challenges from toddlerhood to teen
years. You’ll find tons of healthy food ideas and easy-
QUICK links
10 Nifty Ideas to Get Kids to Eat Fish
Top 5 Healthy Peanut Butter Substitutes
5 Yummy Non-
5 Fun Ideas to Keep Preschoolers Busy While You Cook
By Martha Sanders
Although toddlers can eat the same type of food as adults, there’s still some foods that are unsafe and unhealthy for toddlers and you should avoid giving such foods to your little ones. When planning your toddler’s menu, keep these foods in mind:
1. Drinks that are high in sugar or fructose corn syrup, or contain caffeine. Sodas, fruit drinks and squashes are expensive, high in sugar and bad for teeth. If you offer sweetened drinks to your toddler, he’s likely to develop a liking for overly sweet things later in life.
Boiled cooled water is the cheapest and best source of fluids. And, it’s also fortified with fluoride for strong teeth.
You can offer fruit juice to your toddler but make sure to mix it with equals parts of water. However, don't let your toddler fill up on juices that there's no room left for food.
2. Toddlers should not have no more than 1/6th of an adult’s maximum daily allowance of salt in any one day, which is less than 1g per day. If you want some flavor in your toddler’s food, use herbs and spices instead.
Some adult foods are unsuitable as they are often high in salt or sugar, or contain additives, sweeteners, artificial colorings and flavoring. Check the salt content on nutrition labels if you're giving packaged foods.
Avoid srerving your small children processed foods such as noodles or chicken nuggets as they contain a high amount of salt and artificial flavorings. If possible, hamburgers should be homemade and the fish fingers organic.
Additionally, don’t automatically assume that baking frozen nuggets at home transforms
them into healthy choices. Much of the fat and sodium are in the meat mixture and
coating, and not due to deep-
Also, be extra careful when you serve hot dogs – cut it lengthwise and then in bite-
3. Hydrogenated oils are one of the most worst things added to foods these days. When grocery shopping, always read food labels – avoid cereals, crackers, cookies, cakes, salad, or anything that has “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated” on its ingredient list.
If you want to give your toddler some snacks, it’s best you make your own snacks or offer fresh fruits in place of unhealthy snacks such as candies, cookies or cakes.
4. Eggs, shellfish and raw honey can upset delicate tummies and even cause food poisoning if cooked improperly. Egg or fish allergies in a toddler can produce a rash, vomiting or even anaphylaxis.
If you’re serving your toddler eggs, make sure they are cooked until both the white and yolk are solid.
Be aware that shark, swordfish and marlin contain relatively high levels of mercury, which might affect a kid's developing nervous system.
5. Although there’s nothing wrong with nuts, some toddlers can develop severe allergic reactions. Even if your toddler isn’t allergic to nuts, nuts can be a chocking hazard so it’s better to avoid nuts.
If you want to serve your toddler nuts, make sure you use crushed or flaked nuts.
7 Big Tips to Handle Small Picky Eaters
Going crazy getting fussy eaters to eat? You’ll love these tips – they always work like a charm for parents!
12 Fun Ways to Get Kids to Eat Vegetables
Watch your kids enjoy their veggies before your eyes, and come back for more!
5 Yummy Non-
Don't like to eat fish? Find a list of food with omega 3 fatty acids other than fish, and suggestions to incorporate fish oil alternatives into your kid's diet.
5 Creative Ways to Get Kids to Eat New Foods
Is your toddler stuck in a food jag and won't eat meat? Find out how you can get your super picky eater to try new foods and receive the essential nutrients to support overall mental and physical development.
3 Healthy Snacks that Kids Should Eat
What healthy snacks that kids should eat? Also get ideas on how to make snacks interesting for your kids to enjoy.
A Day’s Sample Menu for Toddler
Learn how to plan healthy toddler menus and work all the food groups into your toddler's diet.
Delicious ideas to make bananas interesting for your children. Easy recipes that kids can make. Adults love them too!
5 Healthy Peanut Butter Substitutes
If PB is banned at your kid's school because of nut allergy concerns, don't miss these nutritious and tasty peanut butter alternatives.