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.