Healthy Nutrition for Toddlers – Tips and Tricks from Miss Broccoli

The right nutrition is especially crucial in the early years of a child's life for healthy development. However, many toddlers refuse to eat vegetables. This "picky eater" phase is generally normal and part of the autonomy phase between the ages of 2-5. But how can we still manage to integrate a balanced diet into the often hectic family routine? To answer these questions, we organized an exciting expert series with Moana from "Miss Broccoli" in February.

Moana is a nutrition expert and coach with a passion for stress-free and healthy meals at the family table. Her work revolves around delicious, everyday, and most importantly, sugar-free recipes for children. Her motto: Sit at the table with joy instead of feeling stressed about food!

What makes a healthy diet?

A healthy diet should primarily be fresh, colourful, and varied. The principle of "5 a day" serves as a good guideline – meaning five portions of vegetables and fruits spread throughout the day. It's important to avoid too much salt, sugar, and ready-made products, and instead focus on natural foods. Ensuring sufficient fluid intake is also a crucial factor for our little ones' health.

A balanced diet should consist of the following 5 food groups:

1. Vegetables and Fruits – the foundation for vitamins and minerals
2. Grains and Pseudograins – like oats, quinoa, or millet
3. Legumes – such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas
4. Nuts and Seeds – for healthy fats and proteins
5. Milk and Milk Alternatives – for calcium and other nutrients

Tips and Tricks for "Picky Eaters"

We all know it: You prepare a healthy meal, but the child refuses to even try it. Moana from Miss Broccoli has some valuable tips for this situation:

- Don't stress yourself: Children often develop a taste for certain foods only after trying or seeing them multiple times. Stay patient and calm.
- Make eating fun!: Let your child help – whether it's cooking, setting the table, or choosing the ingredients. Kids are more likely to eat what they've had a hand in creating. You can also create fun shapes or tell stories with the food to make it more appealing.
- Offer it repeatedly: Just because a child doesn't like something the first time doesn't mean they will never like it. Offer foods regularly and in different forms.
- Be a role model: Children learn a lot from watching their parents. If you enjoy eating vegetables and have a positive attitude towards healthy eating, your child will follow suit. Most importantly, eat everything in front of your child – they will see how much you enjoy the vegetables, which benefits you too! 😉

What we've learned

Healthy eating for toddlers doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. With a bit of creativity, patience, and the right knowledge, it can become a relaxed and enjoyable part of everyday life. A big thank you to Moana from Miss Broccoli, who has shown us how diverse, colourful, and delicious healthy eating for children can be.

Try out her recipes and get inspired, because together it just tastes much better! 🥦🍎

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