Wonder Parenting

Toddler Meal Plan | Tips and Warnings to feed a toddler

For all those wonder-moms who need some ideas on what and how to feed your toddler. Use these sample toddler meal plan and tips on healthy eating which might help you to feed your little ones with a smile.

A toddler can eat a variety of healthy foods. Always give your toddlers the same foods that the rest of the family eats. Toddlers are very choosy so always offer them the variety of different tastes and textures. Most importantly try to include different colors in the daily food items of your toddler meal plan.

Most people ask or search on google on how much a toddler should eat? Trust me! There is no such parameter for the same. A toddler can eat according to his or her appetite. Do not force your kid to eat more or do not restrict also if they are eating well. It’s totally their choices not moms. Sometimes they eat more and sometimes they eat less, it’s perfectly fine.

Try this easy sample toddler meal plan for a healthy toddler:

		TODDLER MEAL PLAN
TIME	MEAL	FOOD	NUTRITIOUS VALUE
7:00 TO 7:30	MORNING	2 ALMONDS (SOAKED) 1 CUP MILK WITH 2-4 BISCUITS/ MILK CORNFLAKES	IRON, CARBOHYDRATES, MINERAL, CALCIUM
8:00 TO 8:30	BREAKFAST	EGG SANDWICH OR VEGETABLE SANDWICH OF WHEAT BREAD WITH BANANA / APPLE OR VEG CUTLET / LOBIA WITH BREAD	CARBOHYDRATES, VITAMIN, FAT
10.30 TO 11:00	LUNCH BOX	2 IDLI WITH COCONUT CHUTNEY / 1 UTTAPAM / 1 BOWL POHA	CARBOHYDRATES
12:30 TO 1:00	AFTER SCHOOL HOURS	1 CUP SOUP (TOMATO WITH MIX VEGGIES) OR HALF CUP CURD WITH MIX FRUITS	PROTEIN, VITAMIN ANTIOXIDANTS
3.00 TO 3:30	LUNCH	PALAK PANEER WITH CHAPATI OR VEGETABLE KHICHDI	PROTEIN, FAT CARBOHYDRATES
5:00 TO 5:30	EVENING SNACKS	MILKSHAKES OF ANY FRUIT FLAVOURS (SOUP) OR 2 TOASTS WITH PEANUT BUTTER / VEG VERMICELLI	CALCIUM, PROTEIN
7:00 TO 8:00	DINNER	1/2 CUP COOKED BROWN RICE WITH 1 CUP DAAL OR 1/4 CUP BROCCOLI VEG DALIA	MINERALS, IRON, CARBOHYDRATES
9:00 TO 9:30	LATE NIGHT	MILK WITH PINCH OF TURMERIC	CALCIUM, ANTIOXIDANTS, PROTEIN

This toddler meal plan is designed in such a way that it encourages healthy eating. We should always direct our kids towards healthy habits. Early childhood is an important time to establish healthy eating patterns. A balanced diet always leads to a healthy body and mind. Our food should always provide nutrients which helps in the growth of the toddlers.

Feeding tips for toddlers:

Always offer food and snacks at the same time each day.
Try to give healthy food prepared at home. Outside food can’t be healthy every time.
Always tell your child what is healthy and unhealthy.
Keep healthy food handy, children will eat what’s available.
Allow your toddler to decide how much to eat, don’t ever force.
Keep offering new food.
Try to keep mealtime relaxed and happy.
Always turn off the screen distractions like tv, mobile, tabs, etc. so that they can focus on the meal.

Some Feeding Warnings:

Avoid giving sweets and sugar to your toddlers. Even if you want to offer some then please give healthy options such as fruits, homemade sweets, and jaggery.
Do not give your child sweetened drinks. They will fill up their tummy and no space will be left for healthy foods.
The low-fat diet is not recommended for toddlers as it can result in poor growth.

EXPERIENCE THE HEALTHY PARENTING, THE HEALTHY WAY!

Author: Richa AG | Mommy Blogger | SAHM

Have more tips to add for a healthy toddler meal plan? Please share with us in the comments section below.

Wish you a very Happy and Healthy Parenting!

Divya

Divya is a writer, who loves to read and write. She is a Company Secretary by profession. She is passionate about art, reading, writing, music, and creativity. She loves to do research on ‘Parenting’ and discover new things now and then. Her passion about positive parenting pushed her to write on ‘Wonder Parenting’. Her loving daughter, Vachie, helped her to dig deep and reach new heights on Parenting. She believes that ‘Parenting is Patience’ and shares her own journey to express that parenting approach differs for every individual. Simple Living High Parenting!