Parenting Tips for Your 21-22 Month Old Toddler
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important for everyone, including your toddler, to get enough fiber every day. Here are some ideas for increasing your toddler’s fiber intake:
Increase whole grains. At least half of the grain products your child eats each day should be whole grains.
- Substitute whole-grain crackers for saltines or pretzels.
- Mix whole wheat pasta with white pasta.
- Replace white rice with brown rice.
- Serve whole wheat bread instead of white bread.
Read packages carefully and buy whole grains. Grain products have different amounts of fiber.
- Check package labels for fiber content.
- When you buy bread, pasta, cereals, and other grain products, look for the words “whole grain” or “whole wheat” as one of the first ingredients.
Serve whole fruits instead of juice. Whole fruits contain more fiber than juice, and are more satisfying.
- Instead of giving your child apple juice, serve apple or pear slices.
- Replace orange juice with orange slices or mandarin orange sections.
- Your toddler needs about a cup of fruit a day.
Increase vegetables. Toddlers need at least ¾ cup of vegetables each day.
- Add veggies to your child’s favorite foods.
- Mix green peas into macaroni and cheese.
- Add grated carrots or zucchini to spaghetti sauce.
- Fix vegetable soup.
- Serve raw vegetables with low-fat ranch sauce, and encourage your toddler to dip them.
- Try to serve at least one fruit or vegetable at each meal.
Encourage new foods, but do not force your child to eat them.
- Serve a variety of foods, including foods high in fiber, each day.
- Put foods on his plate and encourage him to try the new food, but don’t force him to taste it.
- Remember that children may need to see a new food as many as 7 to 15 times before they are willing to eat it and enjoy it.
Be a good role model
- Remember that your child learns eating habits by watching you.
- If your child sees you eating high fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, she will be more willing to try them herself.
Learn more about Your Toddler: 21-22 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
