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Healthy Snacks for Toddlers

This photo is licensed under cc by sa 2.0 by lindaaslund

It's no wonder you stress out at times when you offer your toddler a healthy snack and it is thrown right back at you.

Although this is frustrating, providing healthy snacks for toddlers that are actually eagerly accepted by them is easier said than done.

But does it really have to be that complicated? Your toddler's response to food and/or snacks is actually reflected by the way YOU respond to food.

Good eating habits begin very early in life.

It really surprises me how some parents expect their tots to willingly eat vegetable sticks and wholemeal bread, while they themselves eat marshmallows and potato chips for breakfast, washed down with 'diet' Coke - all while their toddler is right in front of them watching!

A little note to those parents, don't be surprised if she asks you for chocolate biscuits for breakfast! Okay, you might have gotten away with this when your little munchkin was a baby. (I must confess that I too was guilty of this at some stage).

Beware, She's Watching You...

The "Do What I Say (Not What I Do)" principle does not work well with toddlers.

In this section I'd like to share with you some tips on healthy snacks for your toddler, with some simple recipes for you to try.

Due to their short attention span, it's a well-known fact that toddlers cannot sit at the table long enough to eat a meal that is sufficient to last them until the next meal.

This is why it is important to provide them with a snack between meals in order to avoid those hunger pangs that are likely to make them grumpy.

Some toddlers are indifferent to snacks, as they are more preoccupied with other activities. Most toddlers, however, do need snacks. The question is then, what snacks should you give your toddler? The basic answer of course is, any snack that's healthy!

Click here for ideas on healthy snacks for toddlers.

What about unhealthy snacks?

Remember, your toddler loves you whether or not you give her sweets. In fact, she may even thank you in the future for not allowing her teeth to decay.

Another issue with unhealthy snacks that are either full of sugar or full of fat is the timing of them. These snacks fill your tot up fast, not to mention that they fill her up with empty calories.

But I'm Not Hungry, Mummy...

Not only will they be starving very soon after the meal, they will not get the adequate nutrition that they need - and they will ask for yes, you guessed it - another snack!

The best way to deal with unhealthy snacks is simply not to introduce it as a regular part of your toddler's diet. If you do not start giving her unhealthy snacks between meals, she will not adopt the habit of having such snacks.

It's a good idea for foods such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates and sweets to be kept for special occasions. The occasional ice cream and cake won't hurt your child and there is no need to completely avoid them. The trick with these sweet sugary foods is to offer them only occasionally.

You Are What You Eat...

Healthy eating (especially for toddlers) is tough going, but it's worth the effort!

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