By Niveditha Kalyanaraman
September 7th, 2023
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Your 1- year old is growing, evolving and discovering the world at a wholesome pace. It can be difficult to find foods that can nourish your baby for the innocent adventures they undertake. By the time they reach 12 months, toddlers need about 1,000 calories, 700 mg of calcium, 600 IU of vitamin D, and 7 mg of iron each day to support proper growth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. To aid you in this quest to feed your 1- year old, here are 7 practical foods that your toddler will love!
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By the end of 12 months, your baby would have developed the pincer grasp, which involves pinching and maneuvering food with their fingertips, as they endeavor to self-feed. This is a great time to introduce finger-friendly foods. Soft fruits not only deliver needed nutrients but also help cement healthy eating habits.
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While you may continue to offer breast milk until 2 years of age or longer, whole fat dairy milk or yogurt may also be introduced at mealtimes or as a snack. Make sure to introduce your child to cow's milk slowly. They are great sources of protein and bone-building calcium, which also benefits baby's developing teeth.
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Children don't master the jaw-grinding motion, which helps with proper chewing, until they’re about 4 years old. Introduce oatmeal to your baby because they're easy to swallow and have impressive nutritional value.
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Eggs are supportive of eye health and proper brain development. Scramble them or serve them hard-boiled and peeled. Be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for your toddler.
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Rich in healthy fats that develop your child's brain and heart, avocados are creamy food options for your 1-year old. Cube or mash them and smear them on whole grain toast or a cracker.
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As your baby outgrows breast milk, it's important your child stays hydrated. Fill up their sippy cups with water and make sure they drink at least 8 ounces of water in a glass, per day.
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Steamed vegetables like broccoli, peas and carrots are a healthy way to introduce vegetables to your baby. While feeding them to your baby might be a messy affair, they are rich in vitamins important for their bodies.
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