Finding the right nutritional balance for your toddler
Latest research reveals that foods high in salt and sugar may be taking up too much space in toddlers’ tummies, leaving little room for foods that are high in essential nutrients. Find out what’s going into the mouths of growing children in many countries – and how you can make every little bite count.
Sources
Bailey RI, Catellier DJ, Jun S, et al. Total usual nutrient intakes of US children (under 48 months): Findings form the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016. J Nutr 2018; doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy042.
Chen C, Denney L, Zheng Y, et al. Nutrient intakes of infants and toddlers from maternal and child care centres in urban areas of China, based on one 24-hour dietary recall. BMC Nutr 2015; 1:23 doi 10.1186/s40795-015-0019-5
Dattilo AM, Reidy, KC, Uesugi K. Modifiable risk and protective factors for healthy growth among infants and toddlers: Development and application of a global survey [abstract]. Nutrition and Growth Meeting, March 1-3, 2018, Paris, France.
Deming DM, Afeiche MC, Reidy KC, et al. Early feeding patterns among Mexican babies: findings from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey and implications for health and obesity prevention. BMC Nutrition 2015; doi 10.1186/s40795-015-0035-5
Duyff, RL (2017). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Complete food and nutrition guide (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
EFSA NDA Panel: Scientific opinion on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children in the European Union. EFSA J 2013; 11: 3408.
EFSA NDA Panel: Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterol. EFSA J 2010; 8: 1461.
Guideline: Daily iron supplementation in infants and children. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016
Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary reference intakes for electrolytes and water. 2005. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
Institute of Medicine Food & Nutrition Board, 2006. Dietary Reference Intake: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. In: Otten, JJ, Hellwig, JP, Meyers LD, (Eds), National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
Piernas C, Miles DR, Deming DM, et al. Estimating usual intakes mainly affects the micronutrient distribution among infants, toddlers and preschoolers from the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey. Public Health Nutr 2016; 19(6):1017-26.
Reidy KC and Squatrito C. Programming long-term health: Nutrition and diet in toddlers. In: Early nutrition and long-term health, mechanisms, consequences and opportunities. Ed., Saavedra and Dattilo, Elsevier, 2017: 537-60.
Yu P, Denney L, Zheng Y, et al. Food groups consumed by infants and toddlers in urban areas of China. Food Nutr Res 2016; 60:30289. Doi 10.3402/fnr.v60.30289.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD- HealthProfessional/ (Accessed August 8 2018)
https://www.k4health.org/sites/default/files/who_ifa_supplements_infant… (Accessed August 8 2018)
Related articles
Baby Milestones – 9 to 11 Months
1 min to read
Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit
Now the adventure really starts!
3 mins to read
What nutrients your baby need
Did you know? As your baby reaches six to eight months old, some vitamins and minerals are especially important for her health.
3 mins to read
8-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
About the size of a robin’s egg, your little one measures about 30 mm long. Learn more about this week.
3 mins to read
How To Keep Your Child Healthy
You can't stop your child from getting sick, but you can certainly reduce the chances by following some basic principles to promote a healthy lifestyle and strong immune system.
3 mins to read
A guide to family meals for toddlers
Wondering how you can enjoy family meals for toddlers? Eating together is a lovely way to bring everyone together and to teach your toddler about healthy eating.
2 mins to read
Discover some of the essential preconception supplements and vitamins
Eating well before you conceive can help your future baby have the best possible start in life.
4 mins to read
How much food to feed your baby at 6-7 months / 8 months / 9-11 months
While feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.
2 mins to read
Why your baby needs to be active
Did you know? Spending time playing with your baby at this age can lead to him being more active when he’s a toddler.
2 mins to read
Tummy time helps your baby develop muscles and motor skills.
Did you know? Tummy time helps your baby develop muscles and motor skills.
2 mins to read
Why babies need milk AND water
Did you know? Offering sugary drinks to your baby adds extra calories to his diet and makes tooth decay more likely.
3 mins to read
How much food to feed your baby at 8 months
With a little knowledge and observation, you will easily be able to identify when you have fed your child the appropriate amount of food.
2 mins to read
What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?
If you’re breastfeeding, a healthy breastfeeding diet is important as it can affect your baby as much as you. Get tips on what not to eat when breastfeeding and what to eat when breastfeeding.
2 mins to read
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full
Did you know? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.
2 mins to read
12-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You’re coming to the end of your first trimester. Congratulations! Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Why Play Is Good For Baby's Body and Mind
Your little one is bursting with energy from dusk till dawn and loves making new discoveries.
3 mins to read
How to encourage baby’s first steps—in 10 steps
It can be both thrilling and terrifying watching your baby’s first steps—or at least, attempted steps.
2 mins to read
Your baby’s step-by-step guide to texture
Once your baby has mastered smooth purees, it’s time to offer textured foods. Experience with different textures helps him develop the skills for chewing.
1 min to read
Baby Milestones – After 6 to 7 Months
A few key milestones in your child’s development
1 min to read
