DIET CHART FOR TODDLERS
INTRODUCTION
A balanced diet with healthy foods have all those nutrients that are important for growth, development and learning. Toddler’s nutrition needs are very different from other infants. The early age of life is the very right time for developing healthy habits to continue throughout life. It is necessary so that the toddlers can grow, develop, and stay healthy with growing years.
Toddlers needs a variety of balanced foods daily from the food groups like grains, pulses, dairy products, fruits and vegetables for good health and growth. Carbohydrates, protein and fats are also very important for their growth and development.
Avoiding slippery, sticky, hard, and junk food, soft drinks, and processed foods will be the best. These contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and fat which are not recommended for toddlers, asa they may hamper the proper growth and development.
Attaining optimal nutrition involves eating three meals a day and two nutritious snacks. It is important that they choose a wide variety of healthy food in a required quantity.
DAILY DIET SCHEDULE
WAKE UP TIME
Milk
BREAKFAST
Moog dal pancake / Suji veg upma / Wheat pancake / Parantha / French toast / Rava Idli / Veg Pasta / Ragi dosa / Veg idli / Oats Pancake / Besan pancake
MID-MORNING
Milkshake / Apple fingers / Mashed potato / Fruit custard / Fruit
LUNCH
Veg Khichri / Fried rice / Palak khichri / Egg rice / Chapatti with Veg + Dal + Curd
EVENING
Milk / Smoothie / Bread upma / Paneer cutlets / Veg sandwich / Veg poha / Veg Sewian / Veg Dalia / Suji kheer / Besan sheera
PRE-DINNER
Veg soup / Custard
DINNER
Veg Khichri / Fried rice / Palak khichri / Egg rice / Chapatti with Veg + Dal
BED TIME
Low-fat milk / Fruit custard
DIET INSTRUCTIONS
CEREALS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Whole grains cereals, Wheat flour, Oatmeal, Whole brown bread, Porridge, Brown rice, Whole wheat pasta, Finger millet, Rice flakes, Barley
Flour Ratio – Wheat Atta (50%) + Ragi flour (30%)
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Refined flour and its products, Sweet biscuit, Cream filled biscuit, Cream crackers, Cheese biscuits, Noodles, Pasta, Macaroni
FRUITS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
All fruits
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Canned fruits and juices
VEGETABLES
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
All vegetables, Seasonal vegetable should be consumed. Raw vegetables like Radish, Carrot, Onion, Tomato, Cucumber etc.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Canned vegetables and Chips and Roasted potatoes, Crisp and Cheese filled snacks, Coconut, Frozen vegetables
PULSES
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
All pulse and legumes
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Nil
DAIRY PRODUCTS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Low-fat milk, Tofu, Cheese, Curd, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Cottage cheese
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Whole milk and cream, Full-fat yoghurt, Cream cheese, Condensed milk, Raw milk, Unpasteurized cheese, Blue-veined cheese, Soft mold-ripened cheese.
FATS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Cow ghee, Sunflower oil, Canola oil, Olive oil, Mustard oil, Rice bran oil
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Unsaturated fats, Cream, Palm oil, Coconut oil, Butter
SPICES
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Cumin, Coriander, Salt, Turmeric, Ginger, Fennel
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Red chilies and green chilies, Black pepper
DRINKS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Coconut water, Clear soups, Sugarcane juice, Fat free homemade soups, Green juice, Herbal tea, Beetroot juice, Lemon water, Aloe Vera juice, Buttermilk, Milk, Shakes, Smoothie, Homemade juices
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Whole milk drinks, Cream based liqueurs, canned soup and packaged soup, Alcohol, Sweetened drinks, Squashes, Carbonated drinks
FLESH FOODS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Egg white
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Raw, Uncooked and Processed meat, fish especially Selfish, Shark, Swordfish, Tuna and Marlin, clams, Mussels, Oysters and Scallops, Meat patties, Burgers, Pork, Organ meat, Liver, Kidney, Chest, Red meat, Fish fried in suitable oil, Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Lean beef, Lamb, Ham, Turkey, Rabbit, Sausages, Mutton, Salami, Bacon, Duck, Goose, Visible fat on meat, Roasted chicken, Grilled Fish, Lean meat, Skinless chicken
DRY-FRUITS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Almond, Raisins, Ground nuts, Walnut, Peanuts, Pistachio, Cashew nuts
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Nil
PREPARED FOODS
FOODS TO BE CONSUMED
Home made only, Jaggery, Honey
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Bakery and Processed foods, Pastry, Puddings, Packed soups, Mayonnaise, Cream soups, Chocolate, Fudge, Butter scotch, Coconut bar, All fried foods, Junk foods, Sauces etc, Fruit jellies, Jams, Refined sugar, Marmalade, Sweeteners, Chutneys, Pickle, Ice-cream, Sauces etc.
DIET TIPS
- Water intake should be 5-6 glasses
- Small and frequent meals should be taken
- Whole fruit should be preferred than fruit juices.
- Skipping of meals should be avoided especially breakfast.
