Do’s And Don’ts Of Feeding Toddlers

By now, you probably know that your child has an opinion on everything – toys, clothes, and even food! While it is difficult not to cave into their tantrums and give them everything they want, it is essential that you also give them what they need. The real challenge is to figure out how to balance the two.

So, Here Are Some Dos And Don’ts Of Feeding Toddlers -

Do’s:

1. Start Early.

You might think that your child is too young to be taught about healthy eating habits. The truth is that if you keep postponing, it’ll be too late, and unhealthy eating will start affecting his/her development. Start inculcating healthy food habits in your child at an early age.

2. Be A Role Model.

Monkey see monkey do. Your kids, either consciously or subconsciously, learn by imitation. If they see you eat healthy food, they’re likely to imitate you and choose to eat healthily.

3. Use Creative Presentation.

A kid’s perception of the food in front of him/her depends a lot on how it looks. So, try to come up with ideas to present the food in fun, colorful ways. You can use different shapes, textures, and even tastes.

4. Involve Your Child In Planning Meals

Children feel good when you let them contribute to something. So when you draw the daily or weekly plan for meals, ask for their opinions too. Also, ask them whether they would like to help you cook a ‘healthy’ meal.

Don’ts:

1. Over-Feed

Not every child has the same appetite. They may also take some time to realize that they have eaten enough. To ensure they feel full, you may feel the need to over-feed them. However, force-feeding them will affect their relationship with food in a negative way. Instead of giving them a large portion of food, it is best to ensure that they have more healthy food than junk food.

2. Expect Them To Finish Everything

There will be times when your child won’t finish everything on his/her plate. Be patient. It pays off to be understanding when they say that they have eaten enough.

3. Save Appetite For Dinner

You might think giving them snacks in between meals is going to make them feel full later. That may be true. However, not giving them food when they feel hungry is not good either. Moreover, kids need more energy, so they feel hungry more often. Allow healthy snacks in-between meals.

4. Forbid Treats

Kids tend to do those things that you’ve specifically asked them not to. It’s just their nature. You might want to keep sweets and other treats away from your kids, but forbidding it entirely is only going to make them want it more. Hence, let them eat treats every once in a while, especially when they finish a healthy meal.

A healthy diet plays a crucial role in your child’s development. However, we understand that it is easier said than done! It might not be possible to provide all the nutrients in the required daily quantities to your children through just their diet. Add to that the fact that kids generally are picky eaters. All of this might lead to gaps in their nutrition. You can add Junior Horlicks to their diet to bridge this gap along with a regular diet. It contains nutrients like Choline, Iron, Iodine, etc., which are known to support brain development, as well as calcium, Vitamin D, vitamin K & Protein which are known to support physical growth and development. It also contains nutrients such as Vit E, A, selenium & copper to support healthy immune function.