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Keep offering them to your child, and they will probably start to accept and enjoy them with time. Some children are slow to accept new tastes and textures. It is common for young children to react negatively to certain foods.
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Don’t worry too much about what your child eats in any given day, but make sure that they eat a variety of healthy foods over several days. They might not even be interested in eating at every meal or snack time. Just like you, your child will have days when he feels like eating certain foods and days when he doesn’t. One way that they show their independence is by self-feeding and choosing their own foods.
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Toddlers are learning to become their own person. Young children often go through stages where they refuse to eat certain foods, only want to eat a small number of specific foods, or are easily distracted at mealtimes. It’s unlikely that your child will eat something from every food group at each meal, but try to get all the servings your child needs over several meals and snacks throughout the day. Canada’s Food Guide gives information about the type of food recommended for your child. Listening to their bodies-eating when they are hungry and stopping when they are full-will help children develop healthy eating habits for life.Įvery child needs a balanced diet with foods from all 3 food groups-vegetables and fruit, whole grain products, and protein foods. It’s then up to your child to decide what, how much and (sometimes) whether they will eat. This is because growth starts to slow down.Īs a parent or caregiver, your job is to provide your child with healthy choices at meal and snack times.
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At around 2 years, most children start eating less. Most children’s appetites are right for their age and growth rate. If your child is healthy and growing well, you don’t need to worry. Parents and caregivers play an important role in keeping mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable. They help children learn about food while connecting with family and friends.Įating in a positive atmosphere helps children develop healthy attitudes about food and themselves. Meals are important social times in a child’s day.
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