Foods to encourage and avoid for your toddler

There are foods your baby and toddler should and shouldn’t be fed, depending on their age. As your baby grows, their nutritional requirements change, as does their ability to cope with new foods once weaning has begun, and so the list of foods to avoid also changes. Even once your baby reaches 2 years, there are foods that they shouldn’t eat.

What can I feed my toddler from 2 years and up?

*Semi-skimmed milk Babies and toddler under 2 years need full-fat milk to ensure they get enough calories and vitamin A. However, after their second birthday, you can switch to semi-skimmed if they’re eating well and are a healthy weight.
*Fruit and vegetables
*Meat, fish, beans and lentils , but not swordfish, shark and marlin. These contain relatively high levels of mercury, which may affect the developing nervous system.
*Cereals
*Iron-rich foods

What can’t I feed my toddler from 2 years and up?

*Skimmed milk Skimmed milk isn’t suitable for children under 5 years because it does not have enough calories or vitamins A and D.
*Whole or chopped nuts , and if someone in your family has a nut allergy, consult GP before introducing nut products.
*Raw or partially cooked eggs
*Swordfish, shark and marlin contain relatively high levels of mercury, which could affect the developing nervous system, so aren’t recommended for babies, and children up to the age of 16.
*Added sugar
*Added salt


For more on baby, toddler and child nutrition, feeding issues and recipe ideas, don’t miss Practical Parenting magazine each month.