Feeding young children: what are the choices?

Young children between the ages of 12 months and three to four years grow and develop quickly. Parents need to make sure that children at this age are eating well and that they are getting all the energy and nutrients they need. This phase in a young child’s life is also an important time for him/her to learn about food and eating so that good habits are fostered and they learn to consume a healthy, varied diet that can be enjoyed with the rest of the family. However, at times, it can be hard for parents to know exactly what toddlers should be eating and in what amounts. Eating a healthy, varied diet One of the most common complaints among parents of toddlers is that they refuse to eat certain foods. Some children will be reluctant to try out new tastes and others will not accept foods with which they were previously familiar. This ongoing ‘battle’ between parent and child lasts till the child turns about six, after which most children will generally accept a wider variety of foods. Although fairly normal, this period cannot be ignored because it is very important that young children get used to eating a healthy, varied diet that includes food from the four main food groups.