Toddlers have the capacity to overindulge themselves into foods they love to eat. Parents should be watchful on what they give their children as it may fill them for the moment but may have low or no nutritional value at all. Below are the list of foods parents should avoid giving their toddlers and substance to watch out for.
Soda
Soda contains big amount of burned sugar. A small amount of soda contains more sugar than that of an ice cream or candy bar.
Hotdogs and other processed meat foods
Most processed meat foods such as hotdogs contain nitrates which have been proven to be harmful to health especially on children. Nitrates have also been linked to colon cancers and frequent consumption of processed meat may later result in diabetes, stroke and heart disease, according to Bundoo.
Coffee and tea
Caffeine content in coffee can be harmful to children. Although it is only a mild stimulant, coffee can cause dehydration and affect the body's vitamin absorption.
Low-calorie food
Toddlerhood is a stage wherein children's energy consumption is at the most. It is at this point that higher supply of energy giving food or high-calorie diet is required.
Sugar and sugar-rich juices
Ready to drink juices often contains high amount of sugar which is known to be harmful to toddlers' teeth. Consider diluting one part of juice to ten parts of water to lessen the amount of toddlers' sugar intake.
Fiber-rich foods
The bran content in fiber-rich foods prevents the body's absorption of essential nutrients. It also gives toddler of being full in spite of the small amount of food intake. Fiber may be good for adults, however, parents must always consider the difference of the nutritional requirement of a toddler than that of an adult, according to Made for Mums.
Choking hazard foods
Some foods may just seem to be so irresistible to toddlers that they want to have it without chewing enough. Parents must make sure that foods being given to children are cooked and prepared accurately for their age, according to Parents.
