Toddler Food Guide

Recently we have a problem with Emily starting to select the food that she is taking. Up till 17 months, she does not have any problem finishing 2 bowls of porridge per meal which is a very happy thing for parents to see. The porridge that we prepare for her has a balance diet, cooked with various types of vegetable, meat, fish and pumpkin.

However, we have started to allow her to explore her taste buds by allowing her to taste different types of food. This has definitely generate more curiosity and also she has developed a preference towards certain types of food.

Right before I start to feel stressful, she started to reject the nice porridge that we have provided to her for 11 months. She started to spit out food and swing her head away when the spoon is near her mouth. I think I went through one of the most stressful time in feeding her for the past few weeks when she really does not wish to eat anything as compared to a few big bowl of nutritious porridge. Luckily during this time when she refuse to eat the porridge, she has increased her consumption of milk from 3-4 feedings of 6oz per day to 5 feedings of 6oz per day. Guess she is really hungry from not getting enough 'solid' food.

I have went on several website and reading about toddler's eating problem. Its a really true problem that is affecting a lot of toddlers around the world. One of the advice that I get from majorities of the moms is I should be stress out due to this. The toddler will select the food that she likes to eat and her appetites will change from day to day.

Below are some nutritious guidelines for toddler age 2-8 yrs old.

Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children Daily Guide for 2- to 8-Year-Olds

Grains = Make half your grains whole
• Look for the word "whole" in front of the grain name on the list of ingredients

Vegetables = Vary your vegetables
• Eat more dark vegetables
• Eat more orange vegetables
• Eat more dry beans and peas

Fruits = Focus on fruits
• Eat a variety of fruits
• Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit
• Go easy on fruit juices

Oils = Know your fats
• Make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils
• Limit solid fats like butter, stick margarine, shortening, and lard

Milk = Get your calcium-rich foods
• Go low-fat or fat-free
• If you don't or can't consume milk, choose lactose-free products or other calcium sources

Meat & Beans = Go lean on protein
• Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry
• Bake it, broil it, or grill it
• Vary your sources with more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds