Nutrition for Toddlers and Preschoolers Healthy Living: Lesson 6

Welcome! Beverly Utt, MS, MPH, RD Email: Bev.Utt@multicare.org Registered Dietitian Wellness Coach and Smoking Cessation Coordinator with the MultiCare Center for Healthy Living Email: Bev.Utt@multicare.org Phone: 253.301.5096 -Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns. -Any questions before we get started?

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 Add TIPS sheet notes

Developing, Growing & Eating Remember developmental charts are just approximations Every toddler is unique and variation among toddlers is common

Developing, Growing & Eating 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 Choking is a safety hazard related to toddlers’ developmental stages. Foods most likely to cause choking are small enough to fit into the child's mouth, but not small enough to fit in the throat.

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 Parents help toddlers learn healthy eating habits. A good way for them to learn is by providing healthy options for them to choose from and let children provide how much to eat.

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 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 Milk/Yogurt/Cheese 1 oz or 1 slice American Cheese GOALS: 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.L.A.N. Ahead P Prevent L Limits A Accept N 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.

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

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