6 Superfoods for Toddlers

LIVESTRONG.COM

As babies approach their first birthday, they can eat chopped or mashed up versions of what older people eat, according to the Mayo Clinic. But if your toddler had his way, he'd only eat mac-and-cheese and cookies at every meal. He naturally cares more about flavor than substance, but you know better and you're responsible for preparing his meals. You can't force feed him when he shoves bowls of food off of his tray, but you will help him grow into a healthy body if you offer him plenty of appealing nutrient-dense superfoods.

Avocadoes

Avocadoes are full of fiber, folate, and multiple vitamins such as vitamins A and C, says WhattoExpect.com. Avocadoes are also packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which will also provide a finicky toddler with the calories she requires. A ripe avocado is soft and easy for toddlers to eat as finger foods but you can also turn it into a spread for crackers or a guacamole dip for pita chips.
LIVESTRONG.COM: Nutritional Benefits of Avocados

Blueberries

These small, round fruits contain antioxidants, which help improve toddlers' brain function and protect them against diabetes and heart disease, according to Parenting Magazine. They're also versatile fruits for your toddler to eat. Choose small soft berries as finger foods, use them as a topping for warm oatmeal or freeze them and blend them into ice pops or smoothies.

Beans

Beans are full of fiber, iron and protein, says WhattoExpect.com. Just a small serving will help fill your toddler up until he's ready to eat again. You can also prepare them in a variety of ways until you find a way to make them appealing to your little one. You can serve them as finger food, mix them into soups and chili, puree them into a bean dip and include them in soft tacos, quesadillas and veggie burgers.



Tomatoes

These ruby fruits are full of lycopene, which will help protect your toddler from many cancers, says Parenting Magazine. They also contain vitamins A and C. Slice tomatoes up as fresh finger foods, mix them into a salad or pep them up by including them in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, chili or salsa.



LIVESTRONG.COM: Tomatoe Recipes

Eggs

Eggs are low in calories but high in protein, omega-3 essential fatty acids and choline, says WhattoExpect.com. This means they will help your toddler build muscle and protect his brain and heart health. You can feed your toddler an egg a day but prepare it in different ways to make it more interesting. As an example, scramble one and mix in some vegetables and



Cereal

Although cereal can be packed with vitamins and minerals, not all cereals offer your toddler a lot of nutrients. WhattoExpect.com recommends finding cereals that contain fewer than eight grams of sugar and at least three grams of fiber. Let your toddler snack on cereal pieces as finger foods or add some milk for extra protein and calcium.


LIVESTRONG.COM: Fiber for Toddlers


By Christa Miller

References

6 Superfoods for Toddlers courtesy of LIVESTRONG.COM