NUTRITION FOR

TODDLERS AND

PRESCHOOLERS

Healthy Living: Lesson 6

Welcome!

Beverly Utt, MS, MPH, RD Registered Dietitian Wellness Coach and Smoking

Cessation Coordinator with the MultiCare Center for Healthy Living

Email: Bev.Utt@multicare.org Phone: 253.301.5096

Today’s Class Nutrition for

Toddlers and Preschoolers

What we will cover: Developing, Growing,

Eating Mealtime Management Who decides? Tips & Tricks

Developing, Growing & Eating

Developing, Growing & Eating Toddlers change rapidly from age one to

preschool causing changes in the way they: Eat Talk Think Respond

All of these changes influence the parent-toddler feeding relationship

Development 1-2-3

Age One Age Two Age Three

Curious – watches and Explorers

Short attention span – watches many things

Long attention span – more social

Uses fingers to feed self

Can use spoon and cup fairly well

Able to pour and serve – likes to help

Doesn’t like new situations

Independent – often says “no!”

Likes many choices

Has varied eating patterns

Many have food jags (picky eater)

Has food preferences (i.e. no mixed foods)

Says two or three words

Says short phrases – “more juice”

Good at conversation

Developing, Growing & Eating

Remember developmental charts are just approximations

Every toddler is unique and variation among toddlers is common

Choking is a safety hazard related to toddlers’ development stages

A toddlers mouth is only about 1 ½ inches, the size of a toilet paper roll opening

A child’s throat is about the size of the toddler’s pinky finger

Developing, Growing & Eating

Choking Prevention

Give foods cut into very small pieces and soft enough to chew

Avoid items such as popcorn, hard candy, whole grapes, etc.

Make sure toddler is seated Do not feed toddlers in the car Limit distractions such as the TV

Mealtime Management Mealtime can be

stressful, but there are things you can do that will help.

Establish regular mealtimes

Have a child sit while eating

Permit child to decide if and how much to eat

Offer a variety of healthy foods

Who Decides? Role of the Parent:

Provides nutritious foods

Offers variety of healthy food choices

Serves routine meals and snacks

Establishes where meals/snacks served

Who Decides?

Role of the child Decides to eat or not

eat Picks foods to eat

from choices offered Decides how much to

eat

Encouraging Healthy Foods Let toddlers choose

between two foods that are healthier selections

Try to include 2+ food groups in snacks and 3+ food groups in meals

Include a fruit, vegetable or both with every meal/snack

Toddler Friendly Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits Vegetables

Banana Broccoli (steamed)

Blueberries Carrots (steamed)

Avocado Corn

Melons Peas

Pear Sweat Potato

Apple Tomato

Peach Squash

Nectarine Cucumber

Apricot Cauliflower (steamed)

Introducing New Foods

When introducing new foods: Attempt when you knew the child is hungry Offer along with a familiar and well liked food Don’t insist that all of it is eaten, but

encourage a taste Be a role model Allow children to assist or watch preparation Offer new foods frequently – may take up to

20 tries May offer as little as 1 teaspoon Provide encouragement

Meal Patterns Toddlers have a very

small stomach, only about the size of their fist

Provide healthy meals and snacks throughout the day to ensure children get all the nutrients they need

Remember children decide how much to eat

Be Watchful of Juice

Limit total juice a day to ½ cup or 4 oz

Too much juice can cause: Child to not be hungry at

mealtimes Diarrhea Cavities

Try serving juice with meals or snacks

Provide water in-between meals

Suggested Serving Amounts at Meals

Food Item Household Measurement

Lean meat, poultry, fish 1 oz

Egg ½ an egg

Cooked dry beans/peas ¼ cup

Veggie/Fruit ¼

Grains/Breads ½ slice of bread

Cereal ¼ cup

Milk/Yogurt/Cheese 1 oz or 1 slice American CheeseGOALS:• 3 servings of dairy a day• 1 ½ - 3 cups Fruits and Vegetables

P.L.A.N. Ahead It can be very frustrating

feeding toddlers at meal times, especially when they do not want to eat or will only eat specific types of foods

It is important to remember that this is normal toddler behavior

P Prevent Mealtime behavior problems.

L Limits Set positive limits that are reasonable, specific, enforceable and consistent. Limits are used to protect the child, other people, and property from being hurt or destroyed.

A Accept Accept behaviors that are developmentally appropriate.

N New Expectation or Behavior

Modify expectations or behaviors to meet developmental needs.

P.L.A.N. Ahead

Tips & Tricks

Meal Preparation It is hard to prepare food with toddlers

around Tips to get toddlers involved:

Have cabinet, drawer, or one area of the kitchen where toddlers have their own unbreakable items (i.e. Tupperware) that they can use to mimic your meal prep

Have toddler appropriate magnets on the fridge they can play with

My Size

To help keep toddlers from getting frustrated when they eat be sure to have cups, plates and utensils appropriate for their size

TV-Free Meals

Turning off the TV during meals allows for family time and helps distracted children focus on their meals

Wash Your Hands! Clean hands will keep your family healthy Teach children to wash their hands

between meals