Why Nutrition is Crucial During Toddler Years

Children have many additional needs that adults won’t necessarily have, but their nutrition is just as or even more critical than an adult’s. Their young bodies are still growing, and they will need plenty of healthy foods to help during this process.

Foods containing all the vitamins and minerals needed for the body are essential for toddlers, and it is up to their parents to provide them with these healthy meals. Children may not like all the food on their plates, but setting a good example by eating them yourself will set the stage for them to try the different food groups over time. 

If children aren’t introduced to healthy options early on, they will never learn to eat them. It could then mean they miss milestones in their growth due to malnutrition. Learn how to prevent this in myserenitykids.com.

Moreover, if you want to know why nutrition is so crucial during the toddler years, read more below to find out:

1. Promoting Physical Growth

Growth requires energy for the cells to multiply and become more; the energy needed comes from the food the toddler will ingest. Nutritionists usually measure the energy in kilojoules or calories. The suggested amount per day for a toddler is 1000 to 1400 calories.

Along with energy, the different body cells would each need specific vitamins and minerals to promote their growth. For example, muscles need iron and vitamin B, found in proteins, while the liver and eyes utilize vitamin A, and the skin will benefit from zinc and vitamin E.

A healthy, balanced, and fresh diet containing all the food groups will ensure that the toddler consumes enough nutrients and has enough energy for their rapid growth. It may be difficult for parents with a busy lifestyle or when the family is out and about. 

Fortunately, there are quick and easy methods of providing them with what they need in the form of Serenity Kids food pouches or other similar products. If parents are in doubt, they can consult with a pediatric nutritionist or dietician to create a meal plan for their child.

2. Supporting Brain Development

Most of a child’s brain development occurs during the toddler years, and for the brain to develop correctly, it also needs vitamins and minerals. One of the critical features of toddler brain development is the myelination of their neurons (brain cells).

Myelination is the process where neurons grow the fatty layer around them, which helps carry all the signals and information throughout the brain and the rest of the body. Without this, the signals may move slower, and children may develop challenges.

When neurons demyelinate or lose this fatty layer around them, or it doesn’t develop properly, the child could struggle with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, constant fatigue, and poor memory, among other issues.

3. Ensuring The Immune System Is Healthy

The immune system is always busy scanning the body for threats and will attack any foreign microorganisms it detects to keep the body healthy. The toddler may become sick when there isn’t enough energy, vitamins, or minerals for the immune system to do its job correctly.

Serving healthy meals to toddlers can again provide all the immune system needs to keep the body, mind, and immune system in good condition to help fight off bacteria and viruses.

4. Preventing Chronic Illnesses

At the crucial stage of development during the toddler years, the body prepares itself for adulthood by establishing many functions it will have to use later on. When these systems are underdeveloped due to malnutrition, toddlers can be vulnerable to developing chronic illnesses.

Too much sugar in a toddler’s diet could lead to early onset diabetes. Not enough vitamin D from the sun may cause rickets. On the other hand, a shortage of iron could be a precursor to anemia. Thus, parents need to monitor their toddlers’ eating habits and include many different options for them to try. Even if they don’t want to eat much of it initially, perseverance is the key to success.

The Takeaway

Toddlers can be challenging to raise, especially when they hit the ‘terrible two’s,’ but healthy eating habits shouldn’t be a point for negotiation. A balanced diet consisting of all the nutritious food groups, in the correct balance, as fresh as possible could be the best way to ensure they receive everything they need to grow healthy and strong bodies and brains.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for children during all their growth phases, and some parents still don’t realize how important nutrition is for them. The only way that children will get enough of these nutrients is when their parents take on the responsibility of cooking or feeding them a healthy meal. 

After all, adults can consciously make these choices, and it is up to them to look after all of their toddler’s needs, including their nutrition.