It is incredibly common for parents of toddlers and preschoolers (and even some older children) to worry that the child just is not getting enough to eat. OR to worry that the child is not getting enough of the right nutrients and minerals and “good food” to facilitate adequate and healthy growth. While there are definitely malnourished children all over the world and it is a serious concern, for the average, concerned American parent, the chances that the child will suffer from malnutrition is quite low.
Children who are malnourished are really those who are living in extreme poverty, precarious living situations or suffering from neglect. If you have adopted a child from a situation like this, you know some of the challenges that these children face both physically and psychologically. A typical American toddler on a food strike or one who will only eat peanut butter sandwiches may get a little out of balance, but will likely NOT suffer malnutrition.
There are many ways to “sneak” in added nutrition as a parent (whole grain bread for those peanut butter sandwiches, for example.) Plus, there are always multi-vitamins just for added insurance that a child is getting enough of the right sorts of things. The purpose of my writing this it to hopefully reassure parents of picky eaters and finicky toddlers that the chances the child will truly be malnourished are so minimal, but the long-term eating and food issued caused from stressing and fussing and trying to force food on a child can be lasting.
We are an incredibly wealthy nation and most of our children have access to the healthiest and most abundant diet—of course, it does not always seem like they are taking advantage of it or appreciate all this great food! If your toddler eats a diet that looks sort of like this: a half banana and a piece of toast with peanut butter for breakfast, some cheese and crackers and sliced apples for lunch, a snack of popcorn or some dry cereal (my kids used to love to munch on dry cereal like chips as a snack), some nibbles of this and that for dinner—he or she is getting a diverse diet with plenty to eat. It may seem like he or she eats like a bird, but if you continue to offer up healthy, diverse choices and he or she continues to munch and nibble—chances are malnutrition will not be a realistic concern.