4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2024)

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4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (1)
Thanks to Enfa*grow for sponsoring this post.4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2)

I can remember when each of our kids started to become picky eaters, so to hopefully help you, I am going to share tips below that are practical and easy to begin.

At one year old they were enjoying all of those delicious vegetables and fruits. By 18 months, they were throwing their apple on the floor and reaching for a cracker. I don’t know what it is or how they seem to learn it, but it has happened with all four of our kids.

Did you know that, on average, toddlers are only getting about 25% of the brain-nourishing DHA many experts recommend? DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and it is important for their brain growth (85% of brain growth happens within the first three years of a child’s life).

Today I want to give you four tips to keep your toddler eating healthy foods.

Make a smoothie popsicle. Our kids loved these at a young age! I filled them with all of those healthy fruits and veggies that they didn’t want anymore. They gobbled them right up!

Try supplementing their diet with Enfa*growIt just helps ensure that your child is getting the nutrients he/she may need. They really need that DHA – an importantnutrient that’s particularly hard to get from the foods toddlers typically eat. DHA can be found in foods like fatty fishes and I can tell you that we really don’t eat that around here.

I hear this over and over again. Our doctor has told us this and even our chiropractor told us to start using them. They both said that if we can find foods thathaveprebiotics, to try that. The suggestion that I gave for #2 is helpful because Enfa*grow makes toddler drinks that haveDHA and probiotics (among other things like calcium, vitamin D & Iron). I just get the drinks that they make for kids ages one to three. It is a powder (they make ready-to-drink boxes, too). You can see more here. https://bit.ly/V8JSy3.

I bought the cookbook from Jessica Seinfeld about sneaking veggies into your kid’s food and I have been using it for years. Our favorite recipe from there is definitely the coconut chicken. It is fantastic!

You can find some great recipes on the Enfa*grow website, like this one:
Banana Muffins

Makes about 18 muffins

Ingredients

4 scoops Enfa*grow® Toddler Next Step™ Vanilla or Natural Milk powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
5 tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
6 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° F.
Mix all dry ingredients (Enfa*grow powder,flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and oats) in a large bowl.
Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, oil, waterand bananas.
Stir with a fork until the dry ingredients are moistened.
Fill well-greased muffin tins 2/3 full.
Bake at 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.

BONUS #5.Let it be available
Read this post on how I help our kids to eat more fruits & vegetables:
4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (8)

Do you want to try Enfa*grow for your kids?
You can have a chance to win the Enfa*grow gift package (ARV $38) that will include the following:

One Toddler Transitions Can (21oz.)

One Toddler Next Step Natural Milk Flavor Can (24oz.)

To enter, simply leave a blog post comment below about why you want your toddler to try it!

*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C. 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WHO ALREADY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion begins 9/8/2014 at 12:00 AM PST and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 9/24/2014. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Official Rules, eligibility, prize descriptions and odds disclosure are available at <https://www.thesitsgirls.com/sweepstakes-official-rules/> . Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721.

I received compensation and free Enfa*grow for this post. Enfa*grow would be happy to help you with your question. Please contact them at 1-800-BABY-123.

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (9)

Categorized as: Kid Friendly Recipes, Kids, Staying Healthy!, YourModernFamily

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (10)

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet co*ke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Can a toddler eat a banana every day? ›

Bananas are rich in carbohydrates, zinc, sodium, and iron. Giving bananas to children on an empty stomach in the morning increases their weight, strengthens their bones, and also increases their immunity. Bananas can be given daily in the morning on an empty stomach to children.

What teaching points can the nurse reinforce about healthy nutrition and eating habits for toddlers? ›

Suggestions include:
  • Offer a variety of foods daily from the main good groups.
  • Enjoy eating together as a family.
  • Don't force your child to eat when tired or not hungry.
  • Offer water to drink. ...
  • Offer healthy snacks between meals.
  • Involve your child in simple meal preparation.
  • Accept some food refusal without worry.

How to get a toddler to eat healthy foods? ›

Some suggestions include:
  1. Be a positive role model by eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet together as a family.
  2. Serve the same foods as the family eats.
  3. Remember that toddlers need small meals and regular snacks.
  4. Don't worry too much – a toddler's appetite and food intake can vary daily.

What should a toddler eat in a day? ›

Average Daily Intake for a Toddler
Food GroupServings Per DayNumber of Calories Per Day
Grains6250
Vegetables2 to 375
Fruits2 to 375
4 more rows
Jan 2, 2024

Is 2 bananas a day too much? ›

While there's no blanket rule, sticking to one to two bananas per day shouldn't cause issues for most people. With that said, remember that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so eating them along with protein or fat is also advisable to support stable energy levels.

Are 3 bananas a day too much? ›

How many bananas a day should you eat? While there's no strict rule, it's best not to eat more than one or two bananas a day. Eating more could lead to weight gain, as they contain both carbohydrates and sugar. Ensure you're eating a balanced diet by including a range of fresh fruits and vegetables.

What foods keep toddlers full? ›

Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.

What is a good rule to follow for toddlers nutrition? ›

Healthy Eating

It's important for toddlers to eat different types of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy and fortified soy alternatives. Choose foods and drinks that don't have added sugars and are lower in sodium. Try different flavors, colors, and textures to find out what your child likes.

What are the nutritional needs of toddlers? ›

Depending on their age, size, and activity level, toddlers need about 1,000–1,400 calories a day. Refer to the chart below to get an idea of how much your child should be eating and what kinds of foods would satisfy the requirements.

How do you explain healthy eating to a toddler? ›

Younger kids can pick out fresh fruits and veggies. Older kids can take on larger roles like choosing recipes and making a shopping list. Show kids what “eating right” looks like. Explain that they should fill half their plate with fruits and veggies that have nutrients that will help their bodies grow.

How to raise a healthy child? ›

Here are 10 tips for raising a healthier, happier child.
  1. Encourage healthy eating. ...
  2. Prioritize sleep. ...
  3. They've got to move it, move it! ...
  4. Set limits with screen time. ...
  5. Read to your children. ...
  6. Fill your home with words. ...
  7. Make memories. ...
  8. Get involved in the things that matter.
Jun 7, 2022

What fruit is good for toddlers? ›

Use fresh, frozen, canned, and even overripe fruits. Try bananas, berries, peaches, and/or pineapple.

What foods should toddlers avoid? ›

What Foods Should We Avoid?
  • foods with added sugars and no-calorie sweeteners, including sugar-sweetened and diet drinks.
  • high-sodium foods.
  • unpasteurized juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese.
  • foods that may cause choking, such as hot dogs, raw vegetables, grapes, hard cheese, popcorn, and nuts.

What is good touch and what is bad touch? ›

For example, good touch feels caring, like a pat on the head, back, or a bear hug. In comparison, a bad touch can hurt your body or feelings, such as pinching, hitting, or touching any private area. Let children know that it's ok to say no if you don't like any touch, even from a friend or a family member.

Is a banana enough for toddler breakfast? ›

Here's an example of what and how much your toddler might eat in a day. Breakfast: 1/2 cup of iron-fortified cereal or one egg (hard-boiled and cut into chunks, or scrambled) 1/3 cup of fruit, like sliced strawberries, banana, or melon.

Should you cut up bananas for toddlers? ›

As babies and toddlers grow, you can continue to offer banana whole and partly peeled or start to experiment with offering banana cut into small bites. A small piece of banana offers a great way for toddlers to start mastering the skill of spearing foods with a little fork.

Can a toddler eat too much fruit? ›

While fibre is present in fruit to help slow the digestion of fructose (the sugar in fruit), too much fibre and fructose can be upsetting to a child's stomach and inhibit their body from absorbing important vitamins and minerals like iron.

Are bananas good for toddlers at night? ›

Bananas. Another article on Moms.com includes some mom-approved foods that make toddlers sleepy, such as bananas. Bananas also contain tryptophan, as well vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, and complex carbohydrates. Potassium is a natural muscle relaxer and carbs produce serotonin, which makes you feel calm and drowsy.

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