bila otak aku da malas nak berfikir

harini nak share something from What to Expect.com.. bulan2 puasa nih tetiba otak aku malas pulak nak berfikir tuk tulis apa.. haha.. Maafkan aku deh.. bukannya tadak cerita nak diceritakan tapi like i said am so lazy to think... so korang bacalah dulu info nih...

reason aku choose this title.. mungkin sebab sesuai dengan situasi aku yang ada 3 toddlers n kawan2 pun ramai yang ada toddlers..

Food for Toddlers: What to Serve

Toddlers' tummies are tiny, so try to make every bite count.

In case you haven't noticed, most toddlers don't eat much at one sitting. Not only do their small stomachs have a small capacity, they just don't have the patience to sit through a whole (wholesome) meal. Your goal is to make sure that what you serve serves them well. Here are some tips on making that happen.

• Find toddler foods that multitask. If your toddler will eat only one food at a time, opt for items that do double duty in the health department, for instance, string cheese (calcium and protein), peanut butter (protein and fiber), and whole-grain bread (complex carbs and iron)
• Make drinks for toddlers real. Skip those juice "drinks" and go for the real thing instead. Milk is a nutritious choice, too, but can fill a little tummy pretty quickly after one or two cups. For drinking throughout the day, stick to water — plain or spiked with an ounce or two of juice — which is better at quenching their thirst without filling them up.
• Snack wisely. Snacks are fine — in fact, they're necessary for toddlers who need to replace the endless energy they burn. But instead of salty chips or sugary cookies, keep a supply of whole-grain crackers or muffins, fruit, or cut-up carrots on hand. More good choices: low-sugar, whole-grain cereal; rice cakes; applesauce; bananas and peanut butter; a handful of pretzels.
• Go for quality over quantity. When it comes to calories, nutrient-dense foods are the way to go. That means it's better to serve moderate amounts of nutrient-rich, higher-calorie foods (like peanut butter, avocados, and eggs) than to offer a steady diet of foods that do next to nothing for your tot's well-being (such as white pasta, white rice, white bread). And of course, avoid empty-calorie no-no's (like soda, french fries, and candy).
• Change things up. Serving toddler foods of different colors, textures, smells, and tastes provides a variety of nutrients and prevents mealtime monotony. So even if your toddler demands PB and J day in and day out, try to build on his old reliable. Switch the kind of bread, add a few slices of banana, smear the mix on a couple of apple slices…. If your tot yearns for yogurt, stir in different types of fruit or granola. Hung up on mac and cheese? Toss in some broccoli florets or leftover chicken.
• Ditch the distractions. For a toddler, television and toys at the table are a lot more interesting than peas and carrots. Minimize the extra noise but do engage your tot in conversation to keep him from hightailing it off the high chair before he's done eating.
• Look at the big picture. Don't worry about each meal — just consider what your child eats over the whole day (or several days). Your goal is to supply him with protein (dairy or meat), calcium (dairy or veggies), vitamin C (fruits or veggies), a mixed bag of different color vegetables and fruits (several every day), whole grains (pasta and bread), iron-rich foods (legumes, cereal), and healthy fats…just remember you don't have to do it all at once!
• Get the facts on fats. Kids need dietary fat because fats fuel the body, help absorb vitamins, and build essential hormones. But all fats are not created equal, and knowing which is which can make all the difference when it comes to long-term health and longevity. Best are heart-healthy unsaturated fats, found in plant foods and fish as well as olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil. Next up: saturated fats, found in meat and animal products, like butter, cheese, and all milk (except skim) as well as palm and coconut oils, common ingredients in commercially baked goods. Too much saturated fat can raise your child's cholesterol levels and ultimately, increase his risk of heart disease later in life. To avoid: trans fats, found in margarine and many restaurant items as well as lots of snack foods, baked goods, and fried foods. Check labels for "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oils and leave those items on the supermarket shelf. Like saturated fats, trans fats can increase cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.