Early childhood nutrition is important. The food that your toddler consumes during their early years has a major impact on their physical and mental development. This is where superfoods step in. They are packed with nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
There are numerous kinds of superfoods that help in boosting immunity and enhance cognitive functioning in toddlers. These superfoods ensure proper development of the body and brain and are also an excellent source of iron, fibre, and potassium.
In this blog, we will tell you about the best superfoods and easy recipes that will ensure that your toddler is leading a healthy life and consuming nutritious meals.
Toddler SuperFoods and Recipes (1-3 yrs)
1. Eggs
Benefits:
Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals – especially vitamin B.
One of the most nutrient rich foods.
How to get your child to eat Eggs?
Microwave egg pizza
(GET RECIPE)
2. Carrots
Benefits:
Carrots contain iron, beta carotene, and carbohydrates.
Great source of Vitamin-A.
Extremely good to develop eyesight.
How to get your child to eat Carrots?
Carrot Cake
(GET RECIPE)
3. Milk
Benefits:
Right from birth, Milk is THE BEST SUPERFOOD.
One of the best sources of Calcium, Phosphorous and Iodine.
Does your child hate drinking milk?
How to get your child to drink Milk?
Homemade Custard
(GET RECIPE)
4. Fresh fruits
Benefits:
An Apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Fruits are very good to boost immunity.
Ease constipation.
How to get your child to eat fruits?
Pico De Gallo – A Mexican Fruit Salad
(GET RECIPE)
5. Dried fruit
Benefits:
Dried fruit contains good fats, carbohydrates and minerals.
Especially in winter, it is good to give your toddler some dried fruit like cashew nuts, raisins, walnuts and almonds – a few daily.
How to get your child to eat dry fruits?
Dry Fruit Barfi
(GET RECIPE)
6. Sandwiches
Benefits:
Fillings of tomatoes, cucumber, omelette, cheese, peanut butter in between slices of brown bread make for a healthy meal.
How to get your child to eat sandwiches?
Mini Cheese Bites
(GET RECIPE)
7. Spinach and Greens
Benefits:
I’m Popeye the sailor man…!!!
Popeye grows so strong from eating spinach.
So can your child.
Spinach is extremely rich in Iron, vitamin C and Fibre.
How to get your child to eat Spinach?
Spinach and cheese dip
(GET RECIPE)
8. Salmon
Benefits:
Salmon has OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS.
These are so good to boost brain development and have amazing anti-inflammatory powers.
How to get your child to eat Salmon?
Fry it or Shread and make cutlets.
(GET RECIPE)
9. Tofu
Benefits:
Tofu works really well for young girls since it has a protective effect over their breast tissues. This effect lasts into adulthood.
How to get your child to eat TOFU?
Stir fry small pieces with yummy sauces.
(GET RECIPE)
10. Tomatoes
Benefits:
Tomatoes have LYCOPENE which protects against several cancers.
Cooked tomatoes release lycopene and are thus extremely healthy.
How to get your child to eat tomatoes?
Tomato soup, Homemade tomato sauces and salsa, tomato rice.
(GET RECIPE)
11. Oats
Benefits:
Oats are made up of highly soluble fibre.
They will STOP your child from asking for chocolates, cakes and candies (sugary, unhealthy stuff).
Oats develop concentration and BRAIN CAPACITY.
How to get your child to eat oats?
Apple-Oats Milkshake
(GET RECIPE)
12. Multi-coloured rice:
Benefits:
Rice is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins C and D, iron and protein.
Since India is predominantly vegetarian, rice plays a crucial role in providing the necessary protein to your child’s diet.
How to get your child to eat oats?
Coriander/Mint rice: green.
Tomato rice: red
Lemon rice: yellow (GET RECIPE)
Tamarind rice: brown
Curd rice: white.
