Ages 1 to 3

 Still eats a variety of baby food  Foods need to be low in sugar, and salt  Need to be cut into small pieces  Finger foods are popular

 Feed themselves with fork or spoon  Patience is key  Social Experience  Try to schedule meal when family eats.

 Chewing food is not a problem  Cut food into small pieces  Handy with utensils

1. Focus your shopping on the store's perimeters. ◦ These outer aisles usually contain the healthiest foods — produce, dairy products, and fresh meat and fish. 2. Next, move to the inner aisles, ◦ You'll find important items like canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, cereals, sauces, and baking supplies. 3. When possible, visit farmers' markets

 Be a role model of healthy eating habits. Take the lead and most toddlers will follow.  Family Mealtime Eat meals together as a family. Mealtimes should not involve chasing your toddler around with a spoonful of food.  No TV Dinners Don't stand for distractions. The television should not be on during mealtimes.

 Skip the Drive-Thru Whenever possible, serve homemade meals rather than prepared or convenience foods.  Allow the child to participate in preparation  Encourage eating and snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables by having them cut up, ready to eat, and easily accessible.

 Choose Water ◦ Limit your toddler's juice intake: 4 ounces, or 1/2 cup (125 mL), a day is plenty.  Exercise ◦ To minimize overweight and obesity, model healthy, active living by walking, playing, bicycling, or swimming together as a family.

 Kids do better with routine, so try to serve snacks and meals at approximately the same time every day ◦ If allowed to graze all day without a schedule, kids may lose the ability to detect their own hunger and fullness, which can make them more likely to overeat.

 Textures should be chewy, soft or crisp, not tough.  Flavors should be mild, and neither too salty or too spicy.  Temperatures should not be too cold or too hot.  Colors should be bright and (when possible) shapes should be fun and interesting.  Serving portions should fit the child’s needs depending upon his or her age and size.  PARAPHRASE

 Choking Hazards: Young children can easily choke on nuts, seeds, popcorn, raw vegetables, grapes, peanut butter, meat sticks and hot dogs.  Food Allergy: common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), shellfish, fish, milk, soy, wheat and eggs.  Don’t be swayed by advertising, as many prepared foods (such as Lunchables) are marketed as kid-friendly, but are actually poor in nutrition.

 12-ounce soft drink contains =10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories.  Sweetened drinks are the largest source of added sugar in the daily diets of U.S. children.   Consuming one 12-ounce sweetened soft drink per day increases a child's risk of obesity.

 Serve low-fat milk, water, or 100% fruit juice.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting juice intake to ◦ 4-6 ozs for kids under 7 years old, ◦ 8-12 ozs of juice for older kids