Toddlers are restless and actively exploring the world around them. They spend a lot of energy and need the right products to replenish them.
For the harmonious growth and development of the body, the toddler needs quality baby food – an essential part of the health of children of all ages.
What foods should be in a toddler's diet?
In order to maintain a balance and variety in a toddler's diet, it is not necessary to feed your little one with some special products. Although at this age, the baby can already be accustomed to the “adult” table, parents should take into account the limitations.
Composing a balanced diet for the child, which will replenish the energy needs of his or her body, you need to use the following components:
Fruits and vegetables
Children should consume fruits and vegetables daily. Seasonal fruits and berries are essential as they are a top source of vitamins and minerals. These components can be given to your baby at every meal, but it is desirable that they have a different consistency.
Vegetables can be eaten raw, boiled, or stewed, and you also can make salads. Until the age of 3, you should not give your child grapes. Parents should be careful with citrus and exotic fruits, which can cause allergies.
Meat and fish
Nutritionists recommend adding a fish dish to your child's menu twice or three times a week. According to the norms in the week, a child can eat 200 grams of fish.
On other days you need to give the meat, which daily rate is 60-70 g. The best way to cook such dishes is meatballs or souffle – from lean meat and fish.
Milk and dairy products
They are rich in calcium, fat, protein, and vitamins necessary for the growth of bones and teeth. A baby should consume about 500-600 ml of dairy products a day. If your child has already been weaned, you can supplement him or her with baby formula milk. In addition to the formula, the baby can drink yogurt and eat cottage cheese and milk desserts.
Quick and easy lunch ideas
Rabbit and vegetable stew
Use seasonal vegetables to make the stew. For example, it can be zucchini, potatoes, tomato or broccoli, green peas, or sweet peppers. Dice the vegetables and stew them until they are fully cooked. Along with this, put the rabbit meat, onions, and carrots in a separate container, and stew until soft. Serve the vegetable stew with the meat but without the broth.
Baked vegetable omelet
Broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, or any other vegetables ( at your discretion) blanch for 1-2 minutes, then place in the bottom of a casserole dish. Whisk 1 egg with a tablespoon of milk and flour and pour over vegetables. Bake the omelet until fully cooked, 10 to 15 minutes.
Curd pudding with raisins
When you have no lunch idea for your toddler, a recipe for a favorite curd pudding comes in handy. A few hours before cooking, soak raisins in hot boiled water to make them soft. Instead of raisins, you can use berries, such as cherries.
For the pudding, you need cottage cheese (200 grams), 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon of flour (oatmeal, wheat) or semolina at your discretion. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients until smooth, add raisins, put in a baking dish greased with butter, and bake for 35-40 minutes until it is ready.
In general, a toddler's diet must be planned, taking into account the peculiarities and needs of his or her body. All products must be as fresh and healthy as possible. If you do not know what products to choose from, or when drawing up a menu you have doubts, it is worth talking to your pediatrician.