Food & Healthy Eating – Toddlers and Preschoolers
Feeding your toddler or preschooler can have its ups and downs, but it can be very rewarding too!
Eating habits that children learn when they are young will stay with them for a lifetime, that’s why it’s so important to know the do’s and don’ts.
The topic of picky eating is one of the most common concerns parents have about their child’s eating habits. Believe it or not, it is normal for children to be picky or choosy about the foods they eat. At this age, they are still learning about food, learning how to be independent and testing their boundaries at mealtimes. It is also quite normal for them to want a favorite food at every meal and for their appetites to vary based on their growth patterns. The most important thing you can do as a parent or caregiver is to understand that this is a normal behaviour and that it is often short lived. Continue to offer your child a variety of food from Canada’s Food Guide and follow these tips to ensure your child eats well and has a positive relationship with food.
Do…
- Trust your child to know how much to eat. This keeps mealtimes enjoyable and pressure free.
- Offer nutritious meals and snacks each day with different foods from Canada’s Food Guide.
- Schedule meals and snacks about 2-3 hours apart, as this will help Your child will come to mealtimes hungry.
- During mealtime, turn off the TV and sit your child at the table with the rest of the family at meals.
- Get your child involved in the kitchen! Let them wash, mix, set the table or even help shop.
Don’t…
- Force your child to clean off their plate or bribe them with dessert.
- Offer large portions that may be intimidating or restrict food when your child is still hungry.
- Let your child graze all day. This affects how hungry they are at mealtimes.
- Give your child juice to sip on throughout the day. Too much affects their appetite.
- Let your child eat with distractions such as toys, T.Vs or tablets. This will affect how much they eat.
- Label food as “good” or “bad”.This can lead to children having a fear of food and disordered eating.
Remember, as a parent/caregiver you are responsible for what food is offered, where it is offered and when it is offered. Your child is responsible for how much to eat and whether they eat. This model is called the Division of Responsibility (Ellyn Satter Institute). When both you and your child stick to your role, children learn to enjoy food and become competent eaters.
How is your child doing? Find out with NutriSTEP®!
Fill out the NutriSTEP® questionnaire to find out about your toddler’s (18 months to 35 months) or preschooler’s (3 to 5 years) eating habits. Visit www.nutritionscreen.ca to complete the questionnaire. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and gives you immediate advice and feedback on how your child is doing.
If you are a service provider and want to know more about how you can use NutriSTEP® with the parents you work with, call 1.866.522.9200 ext. 270 or visit www.nutristep.ca.
This item was last modified on June 2, 2022