Guidelines for Meeting Toddler Nutrition Needs Aged 2-5 Years

Guidelines for Meeting Toddler Nutrition Needs Aged 2-5 Years

Meet the nutritional needs of children not only when they begin to feed, but also when they reach the age of five. Increasingly, toddlers have begun to understand the foods he likes and does not. At this time, mothers need to find ways to keep their children willing to eat with nutrition and good nutrition for toddlers. The following guidelines on the nutritional needs of toddlers according to the age of the child.

The nutritional needs of toddlers aged two years

Quoting from Healthy Children, the diet of two-year-old children must eat healthy food three times a day and twice a snack. But there are also rules to give snacks, which must eat healthy foods.

The food menu can be adjusted with other family members. Considering that at the age of two, toddlers are increasingly active in talking, you can provide food menus according to the nutritional needs of your child.

The following nutritional needs for toddlers are very basic and need attention:

• Meat, fish, eggs
• Milk, cheese and other dairy products
• Fruit and Vegetable
• Cereal, rice, potatoes

Even so, the type of food above can not be forced if the child is not appetizing. Your child is easily bored, so mothers need to provide other food variations but still stay healthy. You can give finger food choices so that children can eat alone and more independently.

Meanwhile, several things that need to be considered in meeting the nutritional needs of toddlers are:

Provides healthy food choices for diverse families.

Try to pay attention to the portion of food for children.

Avoid disputes while eating so that the child is not traumatized.

Get used to sitting when eating.

At the age of two years, children are usually able to eat alone. His ability to eat has reached the stage of being able to hold his own spoon, hold a glass with one hand, and feed his own food.

However, if your child still needs help, you can teach your child to eat on their own slowly.

Supplements and vitamins for nutritional needs of toddlers

In fact, supplements and vitamins are rarely needed for toddlers two years if the diet and nutrition is sufficient.

At this age, for example, iron needs are very important and can be obtained by eating meat and vegetables that are rich in iron.

However, if it is felt lacking, you can provide additional iron vitamins to avoid anemia due to iron deficiency.

"Choose vitamins that are liquid formulations, for children aged two years. Then discuss with your doctor whether you can give chewable tablets or not, "explained Elisa Zied from the American Dietetic Association, quoting WebMD.

This food supplement can improve toddlers' immune system. In addition to iron, calcium supplements that contain vitamin D are also important for your child. A small step that can be done is sunbathing every morning before 9 am for 10-15 minutes.

Nutritional needs of toddlers aged three years

The age of three years, children increasingly try various foods that he sees. This of course is no exception to the less healthy snacks. To overcome this, there are several ways you can do, namely:

Follow the food menu that the child wants

Not that you give unhealthy snacks every day, but can give other choices that children like. If your child likes fried foods, you can make them at home with cleaner ingredients and oils.

Sometimes children like one food and want to continue eating it for one week. It feels frustrating, but this is normal in a three-year-old. As long as these foods meet the nutritional needs of toddlers, there's no need to worry.

Giving a variety of nutritious food menu

When serving a diet, give some nutritious choices and allow the child to choose. For example, you can provide spinach, tempeh, tofu, and fried chicken.

A variety of varied diet is enough to meet nutrition in toddlers. So, if the child only chooses two of these foods, the nutrition is still sufficient.

Nutrition Adequacy Rate (RDA) for children aged 1-3 years

As a reference, according to the 2013 Nutrition Adequacy Rate (AKG), the daily macro nutritional needs of toddlers aged one to three years include:

• Energy: 1125 kilocalories (kcal)
• Protein: 26 grams
• Carbohydrates: 155 grams
• Fat: 44 grams
• Water: 1200 millimeters (ml)
• Fiber: 16 grams

While the daily needs of micronutrients of children, include:

• Vitamin
• Vitamin A: 400 micrograms (mcg)
• Vitamin D: 15 mcg
• Vitamin E: 6 milligrams (mg)
• Vitamin K: 15 mcg
• Mineral
• Calcium: 650 grams
• Phosphorus: 500 grams
• Magnesium: 60 mg
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Iron: 8 mg

The various minerals above are the macro and micro nutritional needs of toddlers that need to be fulfilled so that the baby's health is maintained. Consult a doctor for more information and adjust to the child's condition.

Nutritional needs in children aged 4-5 years

At the age of four to five years or preschool age, changes in a child's appetite are very normal. Here is a guide to eating portions for toddlers to keep nutrition fulfilled, citing the Cleveland Clinic:

Carbohydrate

In a day, the consumption of carbohydrates for children 4-5 years at least six times a day with the provisions of eating a little but often. Some menu options:

1. One sheet of white bread
2. Four to six biscuits
3. Half a portion of rice, pasta or cereal

You can provide a source of carbohydrates alternately so that children do not get bored.

Fruit and Vegetable

For these two types of food, consume at least five times a day.

Vegetables with various types

1. Fruit juice
2. Half portion of cut fruit
3. Let the children choose their own food to eat.

Dairy products

Children are advised to consume dairy products about three times a day, the recommendations are:

Half a glass of milk or yogurt

28 grams of cheese

You don't need to feed low-fat milk for toddlers because it is still in its infancy and needs fat.

Meat and fat

For meat, can be consumed every two times a day. While fat, three to four times a day given every dish.

1-3 tablespoons of beef, chicken and fish

4-5 tablespoons of beans

1 egg

1 tablespoon of margarine, oil and butter

Choose side dishes according to the wishes of your child.

Things to avoid when feeding children

When giving food to children, it is very important to avoid choking conditions that can endanger your child. The following types of food should not be given or given but with supervision:

Slippery food types (whole grapes, sausages, meatballs, candy)

Small food items (nuts, chips, popcorn)

Sticky food (jam, marshmallows)

To overcome this, always cut your baby's food into small pieces that are easily chewed and always pay attention to every time he eats so as not to choke.

In addition, by paying attention to children when eating can make you know if your child has an allergy to certain foods. This is important so that he can be treated immediately by a doctor.

How to overcome the child's eating habits

Not infrequently, children often act while eating which makes toddler nutrition disturbed. Mute your emotions and this can be done:

Apply eating rules, which are eating 30 minutes, while sitting, not by watching television or videos and not by playing.

Give food in small portions.

Introduce food one by one so that children are not confused.

Lift the plate or bowl when the child starts playing food.

Serve several types of food, then let the child choose.

Eat with other family members.

Clean the mouth and hands after a child eats.

Prevent overweight children

If your child eats too much until he is overweight, the first thing to do is consult a doctor.

Here's how to prevent excess weight in children:

Set a snack schedule to maintain the child's rhythm of eating

Note the child's snacks, if the child often consumes sweet snacks, replace with fruit.

After 2 years of age, low-fat milk can be given.

Invite a little exercise.

Adjust the portion of the meal to his age and do not overdo it.

If you want to prevent weight gain in children, a few steps above can help.