Food Guidelines for feeding 1-6 years’ old children!
Posted on: 07/Oct/2014 5:39:38 PM
Children between 1 and 2 years are still developing eating skills. Most part of the food may end up on the floor. Be patient! Do not make the child use fork or knife at this stage!
Give your child whole milk until he is 2 years old. His body needs the extra fat in whole milk to help him grow
After he turns 2 years old, he can drink skim or low-fat milk (such as 1 or 2% milk).
Feed your child a variety of healthy foods from all of the food groups. Most children know how much food their body needs at one time. Let your child decide how much of the food he wants to eat.
Do not force your child to eat new foods if he does not want to. Children need to see a new food as many as 8 or 10 times before they are willing to eat it.
Small children can be very picky. Your child may like a certain food on one day and then decide he does not like it the next day. He may eat only 1 or 2 foods for a whole week or longer.
Fruits - Fruit makes the perfect snack. Cut up an apple to fill up their tummies before dinner. The more colour, the better.
Vegetables - Get creative when adding veggies to your child`s plate. Also, don`t forget to go heavy on the leafy greens. These greens have chlorophyll, which cleanses and oxygenates the blood.
Nuts - Nuts are a great way to get healthy fats and build energy, Make your own trail-mix using nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
Peanut butter - Peanut butter is an ideal source for protein, vitamins, magnesium and dietary fibre. Peanuts are also well-known legumes.
Fish - Convincing little ones to eat fish can be tricky. Try serving various types of fish until you find what they like
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Cheese - Whether you spread it, melt it or serve it in chunks, cheese is an ideal addition to your child`s meal.
Whole grains - Opt for whole wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain cereals, brown rice and oatmeal
Beans – Make chilli or bean salads. They offer tons of protein, great carbs and lots of fiber.
Popcorn – This is a popular snack-time treat. To keep it healthy, use air-popped popcorn.
Water and tea - When it comes to drinking healthy liquids, water and decaffeinated tea are at the top of the list. Juice, sports drinks, punch, milk and soda are simply empty calories.
