5 Creative Ways to Get Toddlers to Eat Nutritious Foods

As the old saying goes, "You are what you eat." This definitely rings true for everybody, considering that our diet directly affects the quality of our physical health and well-being. It is crucial, therefore, to eat plenty of nutrient-rich food.

However, maintaining a well-balanced diet is easier said than done. And if adults who fully understand the health benefits of consuming nutritious food still find it difficult to do, then how much more will it be for small children?

Toddlers are not yet capable of choosing their food intentionally and usually judge based solely on their sense of taste, sight, and smell. Thus, it can be tricky to make them eat food that's good for them but is not so appealing.

Having a healthy diet is key to children's optimal growth. It's also helpful to start instilling good eating habits in them as soon as possible because it is a lot easier to develop healthy habits than break bad ones.

Listed below are five excellent tips on how to help toddlers eat nutritious food:

1. Let them choose

Nobody likes to be forced to do something they don't like, especially toddlers who are too young to be reasoned with. Hence, instead of forcing them to eat healthy food, you can strategically let them do this themselves.

Allowing kids to pick their food will help them develop a sense of independence. They will also be able to explore different types of food and try various textures and flavors so they can figure out what they like.

But of course, you must wisely choose the options that they will be provided with. For instance, give them a platter of sliced cucumbers, apples, celery, or baby carrots and let them take what they want. It will give kids the freedom to select their food while keeping you in control of their nutrition.

2. Snacking smartly is the key

Snacks are typically the favorite meal of many kids, and while it's OK to let them enjoy treats, it is still important to provide them with nutritious snacks. It's also essential to keep the portion sizes and nutritional value of the snacks suitable for children.

To make toddlers want to try healthful snacks, they have to look and smell appealing. You can combine a variety of bright, colorful fruits and vegetables to make eye-catching snacks. The inviting smell of healthy muffins, pancakes, and cookies will also be irresistible for small children. You can also cut fruits and veggies into fun shapes like stars and flowers.

3. Incorporate healthy foods in the child's learning

Toddlers are naturally brimming with curiosity. They are also at a very active and crucial learning stage. Why not take advantage of this by teaching your little one about healthy food items?

For instance, use fruits and vegetables as props when teaching them the alphabet—"a" for apple, "b" for banana, and "c" for carrot. Also, because they are still learning words, you can familiarize them with the names of fruits and veggies, so they can later associate the names with the food they are being given.

You can even read them stories involving nutritious foods or let them watch shows that tackle healthy eating. It's even better if they can see kids on these shows who are actually eating fruits and veggies, as toddlers love to copy others.

When you surround them with lots of material that teaches about and encourages eating healthy food, they will be more familiar with them and less likely to reject them during mealtimes.

4. Be a good example

As mentioned, kids like to copy what others are doing. They are easily influenced by their environment, especially during their critical growing years. In addition to exposing them to child-friendly shows and learning materials, it's also crucial for parents to lead by example.

According to experts, parents' attitudes towards food and their eating habits can trigger healthy or disordered eating among their children. It's therefore essential to show your little one how much you enjoy eating nutritious foods.

If you have older children, you can ask for their help and tell them to consume healthy food items intentionally around their little siblings. This will not only help your toddler develop good eating habitsgood eating habits; your entire family will be healthier, as well!

5. Never try to force it

As stated earlier, having a choice is a key element to encourage your little one to eat healthful foods. Though part of the process is exposing children to new food items and getting creative in their presentation, it is also important for parents to accept that they are not likely to love each food they try.

Always remember never to force picky eaters to like something they don't. They may only get traumatized and start associating healthy foods with bad experiences. Instead, you must remain patient and explore different strategies.

The Key Takeaway

Toddlers need to have a well-balanced diet to develop and grow into healthy individuals. Accordingly, it's up to parents to motivate their children to consume nutritious meals. It's never too early to start inculcating healthy eating habits in kids. Not only will you make it easier for them to make smarter health choices when they are older, but you will also give the gift of enjoying a happier, more fulfilling life.