Nutrition in a Toddler’s year Essay

Toddlers grow rapidly, and it is important that they get the best nutrition possible during this time. Their brains develop quickly, and their bodies gain strength to be able to work, run and play. Proper nutrition will help ensure that toddlers will get the best start in life. It is hard enough to get toddlers to sit still for meals let alone keep track of how much they eat, the problem is are toddlers eating enough? And what gives with the days they suddenly eat as though they are wolfing down their last meal? Why the inconsistency? Rest assured that extreme fluctuations in appetites are fairly typical. They do not need to eat as much as they did when they were infants and their appetites reflect that. So while it is important to offer children there regular meals and two or three healthy snacks a day. (Think of it is six mini- meals). In this constantly expanded nutrition essay I will review the important nutrition issues from infant to toddler. How much food do they need? â€Å"Nutrition guide for toddlers† kids’ health.org the Nemours foundation 5 December 2012 http//Kidshealth.org/PagerManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealht&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=207387&art†¦ The toddler’s transition, especially between 12-24 months, when they are learning to eat table food and accepting new tastes and textures, babies grow at a lightning pace; 3 inches every 3 months. A toddler in contrast, grows at a much slower rate, only 3-5 inches in an entire year. While growth slows somewhat, nutrition remains a top priority. It is also a time for parents to shift gears, leaving bottles behind and moving into a new era where kids will eat and drink independently. Depending on their age, size and activity level, toddlers need about 1000-1400 calories a day. Refer to the chart below to get on idea of how much should be eating and what kinds of food would satisfy the requirements. Trust your own judgment and toddlers cues to tell if he or she is satisfy and getting ade quate nutrition. Nutrition is all about averages, so don’t panics if you  don’t hit every mark every day, just strive to provide a wide variety of nutrients in your child’s diet. For kids between 12 and 24 months, the 2-years –old recommendations can serve as a guide, but during this year toddlers may not be eating this much at least a first, when a range of amounts I given, the higher amount applies to kids who are older, bigger, or more active and need more calories. â€Å"Nutrition to variety† 1pch.org Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stamford, 5 December 2012 Http//www.1pch.org/DiseaseHealthinf/HealthLibrary/growth/tdlr.html. This article intended to toddler parents, offer helpful feeding information for toddler (age 1 to 3 years) phase can often be challenging when it comes to feeding. Several developmental changes occur at this time. Toddlers are striving for independence and control, their growth rate slows down and with this comes a decrease in appetite, these changes can make meal structure and set limits for the toddler. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services have prepared a food guide for children 2 years and older. The food guide can help parents and child eat a variety of foods while encouraging the right amount of calories and fat. The foods are divided into 5 groups plus oil: * Grain: Consumed each day whole grains food include oatmeal, whole- wheat flour, whole cornmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread. * Vegetables: Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark green and orange – colored, kinds, legumes, (peas, and beans) and starchy vegetables. * Fruits: Any fruits or 100 percent fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cup – up, or pureed. * Oils: Know the limits on fats, sugar, and salt (sodium) make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetables oils. * Milk: Products contain calcium and vitamin D both important ingredients in building and maintaining bone tissue. Use low fat or fat free milk after age two. During the first year of life infants should be fed breast milk or iron- fortified formula. * Meats and beans: Meats and poultry, more fish, nuts, seeds, peas, and beans, can help improve toddlers behavior.