Choosing the Right Toddler Food for a Well-Rounded Diet

Choosing the right foods for toddlers can be tricky. If you’re wondering what a toddler’s diet consists of, what to look for when choosing toddler food, what nutrients to make sure they’re getting and how to make easy recipes, then this blog is for you! Toddlers need a well-rounded diet (depending on age) that includes wholefoods like fruits and vegetables for loads of nutrients. Stick with us for a hot second and we’ll dive into all things toddler food and how to make nutrition fun and easy for the little munchkins.

What Should a Toddler’s Diet Consist Of?

A balanced diet is essential for toddlers to get an adequate amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for pivotal growth and development stages. A balanced diet also supports mental wellbeing, energy levels, immune system, gut wellbeing and physical and mental development. A toddler’s diet should consist of various fruits and vegetables, and depending on age (6 months plus), healthy fats, proteins and fibre-rich foods.

Healthy meals and snacks

Healthy meals and snacks ensure a good dose of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. However, it is also a great way to avoid unhealthy meals and snacks like heavily processed, packaged and sugary foods that can have a negative impact on toddlers’ health and wellbeing. Healthy meals are built around an adequate portion of protein (for your toddlers’ age) and vegetables and grains. Whereas fruits are great for snacks and breakfasts. Healthy snacks look like chopped vegetables and fruit, yoghurt, toast, rice cakes (sprinkled with a kid’s superfood powder for a boost), healthy muffins and healthy dips. We have a large library of healthy meal and snack recipes for kids should you ever find yourself stuck.

Variety and colour

Variety is not only important for a great range of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, but is also great for mixing it up for toddlers. It’s no secret that toddlers can be uber fussy when it comes to foods, so mixing it up can help it feel fresh for kids while promoting good eating habits that see kids eating a range of fruits and vegetables in various colours. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is a great way to do this. 

 

What to Look for When Choosing Food for Your Toddler

Choosing the right foods for your toddler is super important for their growth and development, with food being such a pivotal piece of kids’ overall wellbeing, it’s super important to know what to look for to make optimal food choices. The best way to choose foods is to start with wholefoods before packaged foods. However, some packaged foods are amazing snack options, when reading the label look out for processed sugars, high sodium, MSG, preservatives and artificial colours and flavours, these are additives you want to avoid. These are also added fillers you will never find in Nutra Organics superfoods for kids and toddlers - no synthetics, only delicious wholefood nutrition.

The right nutrients 

The right nutrients are critical for the development and wellbeing of toddlers during their pivotal stages of growth, without key nutrients, toddler’s growth and development aren’t as well supported as they can be to see them thrive and grow at a normal pace. Key nutrients include iron, calcium, protein, zinc, potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, fibre, healthy carbohydrates and good fats.

Natural and organic ingredients

When choosing foods for your toddler, avoid processed sugars, high sodium, MSG, preservatives and artificial colours and flavours. Instead, look for natural and organic ingredients where possible. Nutra Organics kids superfoods are not only void of the above nasty fillers, but instead filled with refractance dried fruits and vegetables and other natural wellbeing boosters with natural flavours and colours that tiny tummies and bodies will love. 

Tasty foods

Choosing foods through a process of trial and error is a good way to make a list of natural and healthy foods that your toddler likes. This also means that there will be less waste as you know your toddler can and will eat the foods you plate up, rather than trying over and over again to get your toddler to eat foods you know will end up on the ground or in the bin. 

Ethical choices 

Choosing ethical brands has a greater social and environmental impact. Most ethical brands are better for the environment, don’t harm animals or people and create a more sustainable option for a better future that your adorable little toddlers will live in. 

Convenient and easy snacks 

If you’re a parent reading this, then you know that finding the time to meal prep is no easy thing, let alone looking after and showering yourself, this is where convenient and easy snacks are your best friend. Nutritional snacks like Gutsy Gummies, Mini Berry Pop Tarts, Cheesy Veggie Dino Bikkies, Unicorn Marshmallows and Veggie Hero Sausage Rolls are delicious, nutritious, fun, easy and quick to make for toddlers.

Give Your Toddler the Well-Rounded Diet They Deserve

By now we’re confident that you can see the benefits of healthy toddler food for their overall wellbeing and for pivotal growth and development stages that happen in those early months and years. Giving your toddler a well-rounded diet with loads of wholefoods is one of the best gifts you can give them that will support their physical and mental growth and development, as well as support their immune system and gut health for a happy and healthy little munchkin. Nutra Organics kids superfoods bring a delicious burst of wholefood nutrients (minus all the nasty synthetics and fillers) to make adding nutrition to kids' daily food easy and fun for both parents and toddlers.

 

FAQs about Toddler Foods and Healthy Diets

How much protein does a toddler need each day?

Toddlers anywhere from around 1–3 years need approximately 13 grams of protein per day. The amount of protein needed increases as a child grows and gets older. 

What nutrients does a toddler need for a well-rounded diet?

A toddler needs iron, calcium, protein, zinc, potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, fibre, healthy carbohydrates and good fats for a well-rounded diet.  

How do I know if my toddler isn’t getting the right nutrients?

If your toddler is constantly unwell, irritable, lacking energy or struggling to digest their food, they may not be getting the right nutrients to support their immune system, gut health and overall wellbeing for growth and development. 

What food should I avoid giving to my toddler?

Avoid giving your toddler processed sugars, high sodium, MSG, preservatives and artificial colours and flavours, instead opt for a more nutritional choice by choosing wholefoods.

Can my toddler have dairy products?

Most toddlers can handle a little high quality dairy in their diet, however each child is different, if you are unsure if your toddler can have dairy products, consult a professional.