Learning to eat from a plate with a spoon and a fork is a challenge if you’re a toddler.

Just learning to make your fingers work together takes time, and getting food onto a spoon or fork, then into your mouth is even harder.

Real food tastes a lot different than warm milk. Real food has different colors, shape and texture, and slips and slides all over the place when you try to pick it up. It’s hard to chew if you only have a few teeth, or if your mouth hurts because new teeth are coming in.

No wonder toddlers are messy eaters!

As moms and dads, our job is to help our toddler learn to eat both well and politely. It’s a tall order for everyone, toddler and parent. Throw in a good nutrition requirement, and it’s no wonder this is an area parents spend a lot of time and attention on.

Here are some ideas for healthy toddler nutrition:

• Start with toddler-sized utensils, plates and bowls, preferably heavy-duty, and lots of easy-to-clean bibs.

• Whether you use a highchair, a toddler seat, or a table of her own, be sure your toddler eats at least one meal with all the family so she can observe how it’s done. She’ll pick up everything from family manners to how silverware is used by watching you.

• Include your toddler in your family’s prayer of thanksgiving before you eat. He’ll begin to learn an attitude of gratitude.

• Serve toddler-sized portions. Don’t overwhelm him with too much food. You can always give him more if he’s still hungry.

• Show her how to use a spoon or fork, then let her practice without making a fuss over any mess she makes. It takes time to get the necessary coordination down!

• Sippy cups help a toddler make the transition from nursing or a bottle to drinking from a glass more easily, but most toddlers don’t need them too long. With a little help from you, she can quickly drink independently from a glass.

• Stay with your toddler while she eats in case she chokes – sometimes it’s hard for her to chew new foods.

• Introduce new foods one at a time, several days apart. This makes it easier to figure out what might be causing any rash or food allergy symptoms he might have.

• Pediatricians often suggest you introduce your toddler to vegetables first. Steamed green beans, diced carrots or beets, or chunky slices of squash are fun to eat, easy for him to pick up, and nutritious.

• Offer water often throughout the day but keep fruit juices to a minimum unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.

• Protein is important for your toddler, but meat can be hard for her to eat as teeth are coming in. One easy way to include protein in her diet is to offer a scrambled or hard-boiled egg for breakfast or lunch.

• Introduce him to healthy whole-grains. Use whole grain bread for toast and sandwiches, oatmeal for breakfast, and brown rice at dinner. Offer new foods slowly, one at a time, in case of food allergies.

• Fruits often make fun finger food! Cut apple slices thin, or try banana chunks or diced peaches. If you give her round fruit like grapes or cherries, cut each one in half so she won’t swallow it whole and choke.

• Keep candy and dessert as special-occasion items. Don’t offer soft drinks at all. Your toddler will develop a sweet tooth quickly if you indulge him.

• Your attitude tells him a lot about food. If you introduce a new food with a positive attitude, he’s more likely to try it willingly.

• Toddlers often have firm ideas about what they like or don’t like. If he decides he doesn’t like squash or apples, don’t make an issue of it – just try that food again in a few weeks. By then he may decide it’s good.

• Make mealtime as pleasant as possible for everyone. Show her how to do things neatly but expect messes at first.
Helping your toddler develop good eating habits and manners can be an adventure, but with patience and persistence, you’ll both soon enjoy family mealtimes.

Hearts at Home is a Christ-centered organization designed to encourage, educate and equip moms. Hearts at Home, 1509 N. Clinton Blvd., Bloomington, IL 61701-1813; (309) 828-MOMS; www.hearts-at-home.org. Contact them at heartsnewspaper@hearts-at-home.org