At the age of 2 children can have homogenized whole cow's milk. Low fat and skim milk are great alternatives to whole milk, which can be fattening.
The child’s diet should also closely resemble the diet of 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.
A healthy diet includes a variety of foods and food groups. Exercise good judgment when a child is making the transition from a bottle to whole foods.
The USDA guidelines should be something you look for on toddler foods. For children 2 years of age or older the US Department of Agriculture promotes a healthy eating guideline.
Our current food pyramid places a focus on the 5 primary 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 which include 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal and one 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 two servings per day from this food group.
4) Milk group servings include 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 2 ounces of cheese.
*This is the group your child should eat 2 servings from.
Some children are lactose intolerant. Children may want yogurt or hard cheese if they have stomach discomfort from lactose intolerance.
These particular foods are digested with greater ease. Another option would be to serve milk with breakfast, lunch, dinner or at snacktime. For extreme cases, there are lactose-reduced dairy foods available in most grocery stores.
If your child’s condition does not improve, you should talk to his or her doctor or certified diet specialist.
5) One meat group serving example is: 2 to 3 oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish, or 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.
*Your youngster needs to consume 2 servings out of this group. As youngsters grow up, you'll realize their appetites decrease. As they grow they become picky eaters. As long as they maintain a healthy weight and have a normal activity level, you have little to worry about.
When considering your child's overall health, daily nutrition is an important part. 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.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Christine Steendahl
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