nutrition for toddlers and preschoolers healthy living: lesson 6
TRANSCRIPT
NUTRITION FOR
TODDLERS AND
PRESCHOOLERS
Healthy Living: Lesson 6
Welcome!
Beverly Utt, MS, MPH, RD Registered Dietitian Wellness Coach and Smoking
Cessation Coordinator with the MultiCare Center for Healthy Living
Email: [email protected] Phone: 253.301.5096
Today’s Class Nutrition for
Toddlers and Preschoolers
What we will cover: Developing, Growing,
Eating Mealtime Management Who decides? Tips & Tricks
Developing, Growing & Eating
Developing, Growing & Eating Toddlers change rapidly from age one to
preschool causing changes in the way they: Eat Talk Think Respond
All of these changes influence the parent-toddler feeding relationship
Development 1-2-3
Age One Age Two Age Three
Curious – watches and Explorers
Short attention span – watches many things
Long attention span – more social
Uses fingers to feed self
Can use spoon and cup fairly well
Able to pour and serve – likes to help
Doesn’t like new situations
Independent – often says “no!”
Likes many choices
Has varied eating patterns
Many have food jags (picky eater)
Has food preferences (i.e. no mixed foods)
Says two or three words
Says short phrases – “more juice”
Good at conversation
Developing, Growing & Eating
Remember developmental charts are just approximations
Every toddler is unique and variation among toddlers is common
Choking is a safety hazard related to toddlers’ development stages
A toddlers mouth is only about 1 ½ inches, the size of a toilet paper roll opening
A child’s throat is about the size of the toddler’s pinky finger
Developing, Growing & Eating
Choking Prevention
Give foods cut into very small pieces and soft enough to chew
Avoid items such as popcorn, hard candy, whole grapes, etc.
Make sure toddler is seated Do not feed toddlers in the car Limit distractions such as the TV
Mealtime Management Mealtime can be
stressful, but there are things you can do that will help.
Establish regular mealtimes
Have a child sit while eating
Permit child to decide if and how much to eat
Offer a variety of healthy foods
Who Decides? Role of the Parent:
Provides nutritious foods
Offers variety of healthy food choices
Serves routine meals and snacks
Establishes where meals/snacks served
Who Decides?
Role of the child Decides to eat or not
eat Picks foods to eat
from choices offered Decides how much to
eat
Encouraging Healthy Foods Let toddlers choose
between two foods that are healthier selections
Try to include 2+ food groups in snacks and 3+ food groups in meals
Include a fruit, vegetable or both with every meal/snack
Toddler Friendly Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits Vegetables
Banana Broccoli (steamed)
Blueberries Carrots (steamed)
Avocado Corn
Melons Peas
Pear Sweat Potato
Apple Tomato
Peach Squash
Nectarine Cucumber
Apricot Cauliflower (steamed)
Introducing New Foods
When introducing new foods: Attempt when you knew the child is hungry Offer along with a familiar and well liked food Don’t insist that all of it is eaten, but
encourage a taste Be a role model Allow children to assist or watch preparation Offer new foods frequently – may take up to
20 tries May offer as little as 1 teaspoon Provide encouragement
Meal Patterns Toddlers have a very
small stomach, only about the size of their fist
Provide healthy meals and snacks throughout the day to ensure children get all the nutrients they need
Remember children decide how much to eat
Be Watchful of Juice
Limit total juice a day to ½ cup or 4 oz
Too much juice can cause: Child to not be hungry at
mealtimes Diarrhea Cavities
Try serving juice with meals or snacks
Provide water in-between meals
Suggested Serving Amounts at Meals
Food Item Household Measurement
Lean meat, poultry, fish 1 oz
Egg ½ an egg
Cooked dry beans/peas ¼ cup
Veggie/Fruit ¼
Grains/Breads ½ slice of bread
Cereal ¼ cup
Milk/Yogurt/Cheese 1 oz or 1 slice American CheeseGOALS:• 3 servings of dairy a day• 1 ½ - 3 cups Fruits and Vegetables
P.L.A.N. Ahead It can be very frustrating
feeding toddlers at meal times, especially when they do not want to eat or will only eat specific types of foods
It is important to remember that this is normal toddler behavior
P Prevent Mealtime behavior problems.
L Limits Set positive limits that are reasonable, specific, enforceable and consistent. Limits are used to protect the child, other people, and property from being hurt or destroyed.
A Accept Accept behaviors that are developmentally appropriate.
N New Expectation or Behavior
Modify expectations or behaviors to meet developmental needs.
P.L.A.N. Ahead
Tips & Tricks
Meal Preparation It is hard to prepare food with toddlers
around Tips to get toddlers involved:
Have cabinet, drawer, or one area of the kitchen where toddlers have their own unbreakable items (i.e. Tupperware) that they can use to mimic your meal prep
Have toddler appropriate magnets on the fridge they can play with
My Size
To help keep toddlers from getting frustrated when they eat be sure to have cups, plates and utensils appropriate for their size
TV-Free Meals
Turning off the TV during meals allows for family time and helps distracted children focus on their meals
Wash Your Hands! Clean hands will keep your family healthy Teach children to wash their hands
between meals