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10 Simple Tips to Help Toddlers Develop Healthy Eating Habits
1. Make mealtimes happy occasions
Keep things relaxed by choosing food that’s easy for your toddler to eat. Finger foods are good, as they let her exercise her independence by feeding herself.
When possible, try to get the whole family to eat together at the table. Let your toddler enjoy the same food as everyone else, provided it doesn’t have added salt or sugar or is too spicy.
Show her how much you’re enjoying what you’re eating, and she may be more tempted to try some herself!
2. Let your toddler decide how much to eat
Offer plenty of nutritious foods, but don’t expect her to eat everything on her plate. It’s more important to focus on what she eats over the course of a week than to insist that she finishes every meal.
Too much pressure to eat can actually be counter-productive, as it will make mealtimes more stressful for both of you.
Also, prepare food in quantities that suit your family’s appetite to avoid leftovers. Having fewer leftovers allows you to enjoy fresh and varied meals every day.
Most toddlers eat everything they’re going to within half an hour of being offered a meal. After this time, just…
