Is your toddler eating enough vegetables?
If the answer is “no,” doctors say it’s more than likely because you are not consuming proper amounts of healthy veggies.
According to a new study, only 32% of adults in the United States meet the minimum requirement for vegetable consumption? This, despite the fact that there are numerous studies, which recommend that Americans eat more vegetables.
What’s more, researchers point out that toddlers learn by example and if mom and dad are not eating veggies, then there’s a good chance tots won’t want to eat them either. Or, in many cases, since parents are not preparing vegetables for themselves there is a high likelihood they are not offering them to their toddlers as part of mealtime.
If you haven’t been getting your fill of this important food group consider that vegetables are not only low in calories, but they also provide important nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, needed to keep the body healthy. Studies show that people who eat large amounts of vegetables tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Even if you are eating vegetables on a regular basis you might not be aware of what impact certain vegetables have on your health. For example, did you know that a single serving of collard greens has more calcium than one serving each of kale, bok choy and spinach combined?
Toddlers need vegetables to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Items such as asparagus, spinach and dandelion contain lutein, which is critical for a child’s vision. In addition, kids need potassium, which can be found in potatoes, Brussels sprouts, squash and lima beans.
Health experts recommend that toddlers consume four servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Cut soft fruits and cooked vegetables into small pieces and serve them with some of your child’s favorite foods. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with new vegetables. You might be surprised by how much your toddler loves kale, even if you don’t.
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