By their first birthday, many children have already started eating solid foods. Thereafter, solids play a more important role in their diet. One-year-olds require healthy foods to help them learn and play.
Significance
One-year-old children are at an age at which the majority of their nutrition comes from solid foods, instead of formula or breast milk. By choosing healthy foods for their 1-year-old, parents assist the child's growth and development simply by providing his body with essential energy.
Types
One-year-olds can eat a large variety of healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables acceptable for 1-year-olds are soft and easy to chew. Some examples include bananas, oranges, peeled apricots, peeled peaches, peeled pears, applesauce, cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew and strawberries. Vegetables for 1-year-olds include baked-potato wedges, mashed potatoes and cooked carrot sticks. Since meats are tough to chew, 1-year-olds can only have processed or ground meats. Dairy foods 1-year-olds can eat include yogurts, puddings, cottage cheese and even cheese cubes. Cereals, strips of bread and crackers are good options from the bread category.
Considerations
Keep the individual child in mind when deciding what foods to try. If the child doesn't tolerate softer foods, wait a while to move on to foods that require more chewing. Some 1-year-olds don't have teeth, so any foods that require teeth to chew without causing a choking hazard are not safe.
Misconceptions
Dietary allergies do not always present as severe reactions. Every time a parent introduces a new food to a 1-year-old, it is necessary to make sure a reaction doesn't occur. Sometimes, the signs are very subtle, such as a skin rash or upset stomach. Also, if food allergies run in the family, it's best to put off introducing that food until well after the first birthday.
Benefits
Getting a 1-year-old to eat a variety of foods prepares her to develop better eating habits as she ages. By expanding the number of foods a 1-year-old eats, she is more likely to eat a healthier, balanced diet.
Warning
Never leave a 1-year-old child unattended while he is eating. Choking is a major hazard for children at this age, even in the case of foods they have eaten before with no trouble. Certain foods are still off-limits for 1-year-olds due to health issues. These foods include: soft cheeses or any other non-pasteurized dairy products; seafood, such as shrimp; and any uncooked or undercooked meats. Other foods are major choking hazards, including popcorn, uncut hot dogs, nuts, hard candy, whole grapes, hard fruits or vegetables or thick-spread peanut butter.
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