4 toddler-feeding tips

To better understand toddlers’ eating habits and nutrient intake, Nestlé sponsored the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2008. This study updates and expands the FITS study sponsored by Gerber in 2002. Knowing what toddlers are really eating is helping us to better guide their food choices. Here are some feeding tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose foods wisely
   As your toddler transitions off breastmilk or formula and starts eating more solid foods, nutrition gaps become more common. Nestlé FITS 2008 found that on a given day, toddlers aren’t eating enough fruits and vegetables and no toddlers are meeting the recommendations for potassium and fiber. Also, on a given day more than half of toddlers (12 to 23 months) are not getting the recommended amount of vitamin E from the foods they eat, and almost 25% of toddlers are not meeting the recommended level of fat intake. That’s why it’s important to choose lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy foods. Be sure to include vegetable fats with omega-3 fat like canola or soybean oil in their diets as well. All of these foods contribute important nutrients needed for your child’s healthy growth and development.
2. Snack smart
   More than 70% of toddlers consume a dessert, sweet, or sweetened beverage on a given day, according to FITS 2008. Those foods can be high in calories compared to the nutrients they provide and can displace other more nutritious foods in the diet. Make foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients (chips and candy) an occasional treat. Instead serve a variety of nutrient-dense, age-appropriate snacks including yogurt, foods with whole grains, and fruits and vegetables such as GRADUATES® Fruit Dices and GRADUATES® Vegetable Dices. These foods can help establish healthy eating habits at an early age.
3. Drink responsibly
   Beverages are important for hydration, but too many can make your toddler too full to eat nutritious foods. Your toddler’s beverage choices should include milk, 100% juice, water, or juice-and-water blends without added sweeteners. Limit milk to 2 cups per day. If serving 100% fruit juice, limit the amount to 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) per day*; the remainder of their fluids should be from water. Nestlé FITS 2008 found that 14% of toddlers age 12 to 14 months and 29% of toddlers 18 to 20 months drank a sweetened beverage on a given day. For an alternative, try GRADUATES® Lil’ Water or GRADUATES® FRUIT SPLASHERS® purified water with real fruit juice.
4. Serve healthy fats
   Healthy fats are important for growth and brain development. Nestlé FITS 2008 found that on a given day, 23% of toddlers 12 to 24 months are consuming diets of less than the recommended 30 to 40% of calories from fat. Try to incorporate healthy sources of predominately unsaturated fat into toddlers’ diets. Fatty fish, avocados, and foods made with vegetable oils, such as canola and soybean oil, can help toddlers get the fats they need. You can also serve GRADUATES® LIL’ STICKS® meat or poultry sticks with 70 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acid per serving.** Serving foods with healthy unsaturated fats and limiting foods with saturated fats can help your child get the balance of fats she needs. Check product labels for saturated fat content. Foods like hot dogs, cheese, bacon, and sausage can have significant amounts of saturated fat.

*Alpha linolenic acid

**4 fl oz = 1 serving of fruit per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) limited to once a day. The AAP encourages the consumption of whole peeled fruits that are mashed or pureed for the remaining fruit servings.