FEEDING SMALL TUMMIES

So the million dollar question is "How can one fit so much nutrition into a small tummy?"

• Step 1: Understand that a child is not a mini adult
• Step 2: Have a basic knowledge of the essential food groups.
• Step 3: Follow a healthy eating pattern focussing on variety, nutrient density and amount. Cup
• Step 4: Support healthy eating patterns and help your child develop good eating habits.

Also Read:Nutrition for your Baby

Tips and Tricks for your little ones’ mealtimes

• Provide 3 balanced meals with healthy snacks in between.
• Avoid snacking before meals.
• Have a structured meal plan. The table below provides a brief overview of how you can go about it.

Food group	1 to 3 years	4 to 6 years
Cereals and grains	2 cups per day	4 to 6 cups per day
Vegetables	2 cups per day	3 cups per day
Fruits	1 fruit/ a tall glass of fruit milkshake or smoothie/ a fruit bowl
Protein	1 cup pulses per day plus 1 portion(50 g) egg/fish/meat
Dairy	500 ml milk and dairy all inclusive

• Introduce new food at the beginning of a mealtime.
• Make food interesting - play around with taste/texture/colour/shapes.
• Allow your child to help out during cooking.

Also Read:Spotting Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children and Ways to Overcome it

• Be creative. Sly and creative. Sneak healthy ingredients into foods your child already likes.
• Make feeding times fun. Speak animatedly. Share fun stories.
• Do not force feed.
• Encourage your child to eat by himself/herself. It is ok if they make a mess.
• Stock up on healthy nutrient dense food instead of fatty/sugary foods.
• Be a positive role model.
• Be the change you want to see!

HAPPY PARENTING!