Healthy eating for toddlers and preschoolers

To prevent choking:

• Cut foods that may potentially lodge in a child's throat (such as hot dogs, grapes or cherries) into lengthwise pieces.

• Cook and mash corn or carrots.

• Spread peanut butter thinly.

Children at this age often refuse various foods that are unfamiliar to them. If this occurs, do not force the issue; simply reintroduce the food at a later time. With more frequent exposure (about eight to 10 exposures), children usually develop an increased preference for that food.

Try the following tips to help children accept new foods:

• Offer a variety of healthy food selections and allow children to choose what they want to eat.

• Serve a new or disliked food with a familiar food.

• Children mimic their parent's behaviours. It is important for healthy eating to become a family affair.

• Do not use dessert as a reward for completing a meal. This teaches children that dessert is the best part of the meal, increases the chances that they will only want sweets and may hinder the acceptance of non-sweet foods.

• Involve children in meal planning, food shopping, preparation and cooking to peak their interest in different foods and healthy eating.