Food for children one to two years old should be small but nutritious
A proper diet should provide the child with all the nutrients ( starches, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals) in balanced proportions to provide the energy he needs, which is usually based on one hundred kcal per kilogram of body weight. Is to be supplied.
Usually, 50% of the required energy is obtained from sugars, 30% from fats, and about 20% from proteins. Obviously, depending on the different eating habits and weight gain of the child, the above ratios can be changed between 5 and 10%.
We should not expect children to eat like adults because their stomach capacity is still small.
On the other hand, because the child’s curiosity to get acquainted with the outside world has a great impact on his appetite, it requires that his meals are 5 to 6 times a day, three of which are the main meals that should be nourished And it should be full of energy and its two meals are snacks that should be appropriate and complement the main meals.
At this age, the baby is still breastfed to get some of the energy and nutrients it needs.
An example of a child’s diet plan in the second year of life
A one-year-old gets about 30% of its energy, 50% of its protein, 2% of its iron, and 75% of its vitamin A needs from breast milk. In the case of other vitamins and minerals, a percentage should be provided through breast milk and the rest should be provided through food given to the baby to ensure its optimal growth and development. Of course, because it is not possible to provide the required amount of some vitamins and iron through breastfeeding and food, so the use of multivitamin and iron drops is recommended until the end of 2 years.
As a general guide that includes 3 main meals and 2 snacks, the diet of a two-year-old is as follows:
Three main meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Two snacks around 10 am and 4 pm
An example of Main meals for toddlers
Breakfast: Bread, butter, jam (or honey) Low- salt cheese and light tea Lunch: 3 tablespoons full of cooked rice (rice) + one tablespoon full of beans (lentils, beans, etc.) + one tablespoon of jam Butter or oil + half a medium dinner orange : 3 tablespoons full of cooked rice (pilaf) + one tablespoon full of fish meat (without razor) + one tablespoon full of a type of vegetable with dark green leaves like spinach or coriander or Cooked parsley
The amount of food a child can increase according to his appetite
In this example, what nutrients are in the lunch and dinner program, and how much is provided to the child?
At lunch (lunch) Rice suggested that part of the energy and protein requirements for children’s evening meals can be provided if rice is not available from Apple potatoes, bread or pasta can be used.
Rice lacks vitamin A and its iron content is very low. Potato protein is also less than rice protein, so whenever rice or potatoes are included in a baby’s meal, be sure to add another protein-rich ingredient, such as legumes, which complement rice or potato protein. A ” potato and bean feed ” or ” lentil pilaf“Are complete in terms of protein. For better absorption of iron, it is recommended to use a combination of rice and legumes or potatoes and legumes, half an orange in the child’s lunch program, which increases both the absorption of iron in the food and vitamin C deficiency.” the need to offset.
in the evening instead of crops (vegetable protein) of a female animal protein is used. fish addition to the protein needed for children due to better absorption of iron in plant foods is. so a tablespoon full of Spinach or parsley or coriander both provide the vitamin A your baby needs and increase the absorption of iron from foods due to the presence of fish meat.
Cooked liver or chicken can be used instead of fish meat. Although it produces less energy, it instead provides the rest of the protein and part of the iron and total vitamin A needed; Even the amount of vitamin A produced is about 20 times higher.
With this sample of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, most of the energy needed by the child is provided and a small part remains with 2 snacks such as a piece of bread with half a banana at 10 am and 2 biscuits with 2 The number of dates at 4 pm compensates for the lack of energy. Other vitamins and micronutrients also reach the baby during main meals and snacks.
The only element that may be needed as a supplement is an iron, which in many countries contains foods such as rice and rice flour. Wheat flour, milk powder, soy sauce, fish sauce, curry powder, sugar, or salt are fortified with iron. If iron-fortified substances are not available, it is best to prescribe iron drops or syrup to children aged 1 to 2 years.
Suggestions for the main meals
According to what has been said, a varied diet plan can be provided for the child to meet all his nutritional needs. Each meal can include one of the following suggestions:
Breakfast
Bread, Butter, Jam,
Bread Tea, Butter, Honey, Tea
Bread, Cheese, Walnuts
Bread, Eggs, and Cheese
Lunch
Lentil Pilaf with 2 tablespoons Yogurt
Vegetable pilaf with fish
Vegetable pilaf with
dumplings with potatoes and carrots
Chili beans with potatoes and carrots
Meat and potatoes and carrots
pilaf with half a skewer Kebab
Vegetable stew with pilaf (do not fry vegetables too much)
Each serving should be accompanied by a medium-sized fruit.
Dinner
Pasta with minced meat and some vegetables
Pasta with grated cheese
Chili beans with potatoes and a little olive oil
Green cutlets with bread
Half a skewer with bread
The child’s diet should provide the child with all the nutrients in balanced proportions
It is better to have each meal with 2 tablespoons of yogurt.
Suggestions for morning and afternoon snacks
Snack
2 biscuits with an apple
a slice of bread and a banana
a slice of bread with 2 dates
a slice of bread with a medium potato or 2 carrots baked
bread and half an egg baked
bread and cheese and cucumber
a cup of flakes yellow
a saucer halva
10 pistachio fine and soft with a cup of fruit juice
7 Almond fine and soft with a cup of fruit juice
half cup of yogurt with a number of dates and a piece of bread
a slice of bread with a little butter and cheese
in general, as It has been said that children at this age like to pick up food with their own hands. Therefore, if possible, it is better than their food includes a piece of meat or cooked beans along with a type of vegetable with green leaves (spinach, celery). And …) or yellow ( squash, carrots, etc.) plus rice or bread or potatoes and with a fruit every day. Otherwise, the same daily diet of the family, such as vegetable stew or stuffing stew, etc., can be used with the changes that are given in it (with less salt and seasoning).
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