References:

1. Government of Canada, Canada's Food Guide - Healthy eating for parents and children

2. York Region - Feeding Babies and Young Children 

Parents/guardians Should Decide:

• What foods to give toddler
• When to give food to toddler
• Where to feed toddler

Toddler Should Decide:

• How much they should eat
  • Normal for this to vary
  • Will depend on    
    • Activity level
    • Growth and development 
    • Emotions
  • Typically 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day
    • Spaced 2 ½ -3 hours apart
• Which foods to eat

Food Recommendations

• Offer iron fortified foods 2-3x a day
  • Beef
  • Chicken ( dark meat )
  • Beans
  • Eggs
  • Tofu
  • Pork
• Meals with little to no
  • Salt/sodium
  • Sugar
  • Saturated fat
• All 3 food groups should be included in meals
  • Vegetables and fruits
    • Dark green vegetables
      • Kale
      • Spinach
    • Orange vegetables
      • Carrots
      • Sweet potato
  • Whole grain
    • Oats
    • Pasta ( whole wheat)
  • Foods that are high in protein
    • Eggs
    • Fish
      • Low in mercury
    • Legumes
    • Lean red meats
    • Low fat dairy products
      • Milk
      • Yogurt
    • Soy products
      • Tofu
      • Soybeans
• Foods with healthy fats
  • Seeds
  • Avocado
  • Fatty fish
  • Soybeans

Drink Recommendations

• Water
• Breastmilk    
  • Up to 2 years and longer if mother and toddler wants
• Unsweetened beverages
  • Fortified plant based
  • White milk (lower fat)

How To Help Toddler Develop Good Eating Habits

• Offer the same meals to all members of the family
  • This may require the food to be cut, to make it safer
  • Eat at the same time and place
  • Offer family style dishes
    • Food is put into larger bowls so each person can serve themselves
    • Increases involvement
• Be consistent and stick to a routine
  • For meals and snacks
• Stress free environment and no pressure
• When offering various foods, ensure at least one food is familiar
• Make sure toddler is comfortable
• Make sure there are no distractions
• Allow toddler to eat at their own pace
• Give utensils with blunt ends
• Lead by example
  • Parent/guardian should eat healthy food

Further Your Learning:

1. York Region - Feeding Babies and Young Children 

2. MyHealth. Alberta - Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits (alberta.ca)

3. Government of Canada, Canada's Food Guide - Healthy eating for parents and children

Shareable Resources For Clients:

1. York Region - Feeding Babies and Young Children 

2. MyHealth. Alberta - Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits (alberta.ca)