Keys to healthy eating of your child in the second year of life
The 24 months! Our little one has stopped being a baby and many things have changed in his life. The feeding at two years can not be the same as when our son was just a few months old, now he can eat everything and sit at the family table.
The two years is the precise moment to promote the autonomy of our son, something that also occurs in the feeding with, for example, their culinary tastes and getting to feed themselves.
"The baby's digestive system he has matured", explained from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics in Primary Care, AEPED, who commented that this is why they can now eat the same as the rest of the family." As is logical, the transition to family diet "normal" will be done little by little, "they say.
Learning to eat with the family
The first recommendation given by pediatricians is that the child usually eats together with the whole family. "This way he will try out foods that others eat and will learn behaviors and abilities," explain the experts, who recall how important it is to encourage the child to try all the food and chew well.
An important point is to eat with your hands. Although today we hardly even think of not using cutlery, the truth is that eat with your fingers It is positive for the children, because it explores and knows the food. Pediatricians also advise not to quarrel if the food is stained or spilled, although you have to teach it to drink in a glass and to use cutlery.
Milk at two years
Were the two years old and your son is still breastfeeding? There is no need to alert at all. Pediatricians remember that breast milk maintains its nutritional qualities and continues to provide defenses (and comfort), so if the child still wants it, "it can continue to do so. all the times you want mother and son".
On the transition to "milk for adults" also speak the pediatricians, who ensure that it is not necessary to give our children the so-called 'growth milk'. "You can start taking whole cow's milk sterilized or pasteurized, the same as the rest of the family, "they clarify.
At this point, experts say that the two years are the final moment of the bottle, from this age the child should not continue taking it. They also recommend two or three servings of dairy daily, including cheeses and yoghurts.
Keys to the menu at two years
When it comes to feeding our children we must take into account some keys that will help us teach healthy habits. The essential is one thing: "the variety matters more than the quantity of food", the pediatricians say.
- The first thing we must take into account is the presence of vegetables: fruits, vegetables or legumes should be taken daily.
- We must also give our children cereal and starchy every day, because these foods provide energy. Among them are bread, rice, potatoes and pasta.
- What do we do with the proteins of meat, fish and eggs? The answer is clear: they must alternate in lunch and dinner.
- You can drink purees, but you should get used to chewing. Thus, it is necessary that, although eating less, we give the children solid food to develop the jaw and teeth.
- The variety of the diet guarantees that it takes all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
- A period of "natural" inappetence begins after 18 months. Eat less because it grows a little more slowly now. "You must respect satiety and never force to eat," recommend pediatricians.
What we should avoid at lunchtime with our two-year-old son
As pediatricians give some keys to take care of our children's food, they have in mind that sometimes parents fail to organize meals. This is what we should avoid, in the words of the AEPED.
- Take milk excessively. Although milk is still essential in your diet, it is sufficient that you take 3 or 4 servings a day of milk or its derivatives. If you take more, you will eat less of other foods. And that can be a reason for constipation.
- Take a dairy for lunch dessert at noon. The calcium in milk hinders the absorption of iron. It is better to take some fruit rich in vitamin C
- The packaged juices. They do not provide any necessary nutrients (only sugars). Yes you can drink some natural juice.
- Sweets, sweets and sugary desserts. In addition to the risk of cavities, they become favorites and decrease the appetite for normal food.
- Do not force the end of the portion. Each child eats what he needs because his own body tells him to, you do not have to force him.
Damián Montero
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