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Toddlers Need Fruits and Vegetables in Their Daily Diet

Last Updated: September 14, 2009

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Parenting Tips for Your 25-26 Month Old Toddler

Toddlers are very active. Now that they are doing things like running and climbing, they need to get enough healthy food to help them keep developing normally. Your toddler should be getting 3 meals and 3 snacks every day. For more information on feeding your child nutritious food, read my pyramid for preschoolers age 2-5.

He should also be drinking plenty of low-sugar liquids like water, 100% juice, or low-fat (1% or 2%) milk. If you are still serving your toddler whole milk, now is the time to start switching to low-fat (1% or 2%) milk. It offers the same nutrition benefits and vitamins without the extra fat that was needed last year.

Toddlers learn a lot by watching adults. They often imitate what they see, and want to do the things they see parents and other adults doing. This is true of eating. We know that if parents eat healthy foods, children are more likely to eat healthy foods too. You can help teach your child good eating habits by eating healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, with your child.


Learn more about Your Toddler: 25-26 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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