Choosing the Right Toddler Food for a Well-Rounded Diet

Choosing the right foods for toddlers can be tricky. If you’re wondering what a toddler’s diet consists of, what to look for when choosing toddler food, what nutrients to make sure they’re getting and how to make easy recipes, then this blog is for you! Toddlers need a well-rounded diet (depending on age) that includes wholefoods like fruits and vegetables for loads of nutrients. Stick with us for a hot second and we’ll dive into all things toddler food and how to make nutrition fun and easy for the little munchkins.

What Should a Toddler’s Diet Consist Of?

A balanced diet is essential for toddlers to get an adequate amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for pivotal growth and development stages. A varied and balanced diet helps toddlers get a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals as they grow and develop. A toddler’s diet should consist of various fruits and vegetables, and depending on age (6 months plus), healthy fats, proteins and fibre-rich foods.

Healthy meals and snacks

Healthy meals and snacks can help create structure around eating and ensure a good dose of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Balanced meals are built around an adequate portion of protein (for your toddlers’ age) and vegetables and grains. Whereas fruits are great for snacks and breakfasts. Healthy snacks look like chopped vegetables and fruit, yoghurt, toast, rice cakes (sprinkled with a kid’s superfood powder for a boost), healthy muffins and healthy dips. We have a large library of healthy meal and snack recipes for kids should you ever find yourself stuck.

Variety and colour

Variety is not only important for a great range of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, but is also great for mixing it up for toddlers. It’s no secret that toddlers can be uber fussy when it comes to foods, so mixing it up can help it feel fresh for kids while promoting good eating habits that see kids eating a range of fruits and vegetables in various colours. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is a great way to do this.

 

What to Look for When Choosing Food for Your Toddler

Choosing the right foods for your toddler is super important for their growth and development, with food being such a pivotal piece of kids’ overall wellbeing, it’s super important to know what to look for to make optimal food choices. The best way to choose foods is to start with wholefoods before packaged foods. However, some packaged foods are amazing snack options, when reading the label look out for processed sugars, high sodium, MSG, preservatives and artificial colours and flavours, these are additives you want to avoid. These are also added fillers you will never find in Nutra Naturals superfoods for kids and toddlers - no synthetics, only delicious wholefood nutrition.

The right nutrients

Toddlers need a variety of nutrients as part of a balanced diet. Depending on their age and individual needs, this can include nutrients such as iron, calcium, protein, zinc, potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, fibre, carbohydrates and fats.

Natural and organic ingredients

When choosing foods for your toddler, avoid processed sugars, high sodium, MSG, preservatives and artificial colours and flavours. Instead, look for natural and organic ingredients where possible. Nutra Naturals kids' products use ingredients such as dried fruits and vegetables, with natural flavours and colours in selected products.

Tasty foods

Choosing foods through a process of trial and error is a good way to make a list of natural and healthy foods that your toddler likes. This also means that there will be less waste as you know your toddler can and will eat the foods you plate up, rather than trying over and over again to get your toddler to eat foods you know will end up on the ground or in the bin.

Ethical choices

Choosing ethical brands has a greater social and environmental impact. Most ethical brands are better for the environment, don’t harm animals or people and create a more sustainable option for a better future that your adorable little toddlers will live in.

Convenient and easy snacks

If you’re a parent reading this, then you know that finding the time to meal prep is no easy thing, let alone looking after and showering yourself, this is where convenient and easy snacks are your best friend. Nutritional snacks like Gutsy Gummies, Mini Berry Pop Tarts, Cheesy Veggie Dino Bikkies, Unicorn Marshmallows and Veggie Hero Sausage Rolls are delicious, nutritious, fun, easy and quick to make for toddlers.

Give Your Toddler the Well-Rounded Diet They Deserve

By now we're confident you can see the value of offering toddlers a varied and balanced diet. Introducing plenty of different wholefoods can help make mealtimes interesting and give little ones the opportunity to explore different flavours, textures and ingredients.

Nutra Naturals kids' products are designed to make adding variety to everyday meals and snacks easy and fun for parents and little ones.

FAQs about Toddler Foods and Healthy Diets

How much protein does a toddler need each day?

Toddlers anywhere from around 1–3 years need approximately 13 grams of protein per day. The amount of protein needed increases as a child grows and gets older.

What nutrients does a toddler need for a well-rounded diet?

A varied toddler diet can include a range of nutrients including iron, calcium, protein, zinc, potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, fibre, healthy carbohydrates and good fats for a well-rounded diet.

What if I'm worried my toddler isn't getting the right nutrients?

It's a good idea to check in with your GP or a paediatric dietitian, who can look at their
overall diet against their growth and development.

What food should I avoid giving to my toddler?

Toddlers benefit from a varied diet made up of a range of nutritious foods. Foods high in added sugars or salt are generally best kept as occasional choices, while wholefoods can make up a larger part of everyday meals and snacks.

If you're unsure about what foods are appropriate for your child's age, speak with your GP or paediatric dietitian.

Can my toddler have dairy products?

Most toddlers can handle a little high quality dairy in their diet, however each child is different, if you are unsure if your toddler can have dairy products, consult a professional.

Not Sure Which Superfood Is Right for Your Kids?

Every child is unique — and so are their tastes and nutritional preferences. Take our short quiz to explore the Nutra Naturals Kids range and find a product that fits your family's routine.Every