An important part of a
toddler’s diet is calcium (they need about 500 mg/day), and the best source of
this nutrient is milk. Until the age of two they should drink whole milk, but
older toddlers can usually switch to 2% or skim milk if approved by your
pediatrician. If your kids are lactose intolerant or don’t like dairy,
incorporate calcium-rich foods like fortified soy products, cereals, and orange
juice.
Toddlers need 7 mg a day to prevent
iron deficiency, which can affect growth, learning, and behavior. In infancy,
breast-milk has a readily-absorbed type of iron, and baby formula and food is
usually iron-fortified, so babies don’t need to worry about getting enough
iron. After switching to “real” food, it's important to ensure that your child
is eating good sources of iron like fortified cereals, small amounts of red
meat (like soft meatballs), or eggs.
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