At the age of 2 children can have homogenized whole cow's milk. Alternatives to whole milk include 2% low fat or skim milk.
In addition, the child's diet should resemble the diet of the other family members. The diet for a toddler should include 3 meals per day and 2 healthy snacks usually fruits or vegetables.
Milk and dairy products should be limited to about 16oz each day and 100% fruit juice to about 4-6 oz each day.
Introduce a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits. Use your judgment while weaning your child from the bottle.
The USDA guidelines should be used when selecting foods for a toddler. For children 2 years of age or older the US Department of Agriculture promotes a healthy eating guideline.
The food pyramid focuses on the five major food groups. To ensure a good nutritious eating plan, a combination of these food groups is required daily to maintain good health.
The five groups are comprised of:
1) Grain group servings include 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, and 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal.
*Your child should eat 6 servings from this group.
2) 1/2 cup of chopped or raw vegetables, or 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables are included in the vegetable group.
*Your child should eat 3 servings from this group.
3) 1/4 cup dried fruit, or 1/2 cup canned fruit are two easy examples of one fruit group serving.
*Your child should eat 2 servings from this group.
4) 1 cup of mik or yogurt or 2 ounces of cheese would be included in the milk group.
*This is the group your child should eat 2 servings from.
Some children are lactose intolerant. If your child experiences stomach discomfort from consuming lactose, they may prefer yogurt or hard cheeses, like cheddar.
These particular foods are digested with greater ease. An alternative might be to drink milk with meals or with snacks. For extreme cases, there are lactose-reduced dairy foods available in most grocery stores.
If your child has a persisting condition it is best to consult with your child's physician or a registered dietician.
5) A serving in the meat group is two to three ounces of cooked poulty, fish or lean meat or 1/2 cup of cooked beans. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.
* Two servings from this group should be eaten by your child. As children become toddlers their apprtite reduces. As they grow they become picky eaters. As long as a healthy weight level is sustained along with a standard exercise level, you won't have anything to worry about.
Your children’s daily nutrition is important to their overall health. Several medical conditions such as obesity, weak bones or diabetes, can be prevented by following a proper nutrition plan. Make sure that your toddler grows to his full potential by following USDA guidelines.
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