Toddler Nutrition After One: Balanced Meals, Key Nutrients, and Stress-Free Eating

After the age of one, nutrition becomes about balance over time. Not perfection at every plate. Zooming out to look at their week or fortnight can really help put your mind at ease, instead of considering the nutrients they consumed per meal (which would make anyone feel a little woo woo!)

Focus on:

• Iron- still important (red meat, chicken, lentils)
• Healthy fats- will always be important, buy considering the brain development they’re going through - it’s essential (avocado, olive oil, nut butters)
• Calcium - for strong bones (yoghurt, cheese, dairy or alternatives)
• Fibre - to help those tummies adjust to their new routines (from fruit, vegetables, whole grains)

Protein matters, but toddlers don’t need large portions. Small, regular offerings are enough.

The division of responsibility matters more than ever now - make sure that you hold up your end (which is serving a nutritious and approachable plate of food). Their job is to choose how much and what to eat. That’s all you can do to offer the highest quality nutrients. 

Keep offering variety without pressure. Continue modelling balanced meals.

Nourishment now is about consistency, exposure, and trust. 💛