- Encourage children to take part in selecting and preparing food.
- Make meal times enjoyable and relaxing.
- Serve foods in small toddler portions. 1-2 tablespoons of veggies or fruits, 2-3 tablespoons of beans or meat, 1/3 cup yogurt, ¼-½ slice of bread, ¼ cup cooked pasta, rice, quinoa or potatoes (sweet).
- Offer at least 2-3 different colored veggies and fruits, chopped or sliced into toddler bite-sized pieces.
- Add a tablespoon of hummus, plain yogurt, salsa, marinara sauce, or nut butter for dipping.
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, basil and parsley for flavor and color.
- Use pureed fruits, like applesauce, to sweeten plain yogurt instead of relying on flavored yogurt, which can contain a lot of added sugar.
- Allow children to eat while they are hungry and stop when they are full. Do not force children to eat more when they are full.
- Nutritious desserts can be a normal part of the meal and not a reward.
- Be consistent at mealtimes.
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