Nutritious Smoothie for toddler

beatrice33

Hi,
I have a 2.5 yo boy who is giving me a hard time at meal times. He loves his breakfasts (porridge or wheatbix), nuts, beans, biscuits and sweets obviously, but with his main meals he eats very little amounts or nothing at all. I have been to the GP previously and he is not underweight but he is at that stage where he is getting sick constantly from being in the creche and i think he needs good food to help him through this stage.

He likes the smoothies i make for him, so i was wondering about a smoothie to pack the most nutrients possible for those days where his only decent meal is breakfast. (He would happily eat "breakfast" for dinner but he can't live on cereals:rolleyes:).
Usually I make a smoothie with: 1 apple, 1 pear, half banana, small youghourt, 2 or 3 spoons of greek youghurt and milk. Sometimes we add mango if we have it, or a bit or orange juice (natural). Yesterday i had a brilliant idea and added 1/4 of Avocado. He didnt fisnished his glass tho

Any ideas would be welcome.

ps: i recently bought coconut oil. What about adding a spoonful of that? is it ok for toddlers?

EileenG

Coconut oil is fine for toddlers, but might have an odd texture in the smoothie. Worth trying, though. You could try adding a little milled flaxmeal to the smoothie.

But honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it. There have been a lot of studies that show that while toddlers don't usually eat in organised meal times, over the course of a week, they do usually eat a balanced diet. Trying to get in extra stuff because it doesn't look like enough can teach them to ignore their hunger/satiety feelings.

If he's hungry at breakfast, then try offering something with a little more protein, eggs or cheese for instance. But some people do eat a big breakfast, then just nibble for the rest of the day. They are usually a lot thinner than the ones who clear their plates at every meal!

beatrice33

EileenG wrote: »

Coconut oil is fine for toddlers, but might have an odd texture in the smoothie. Worth trying, though. You could try adding a little milled flaxmeal to the smoothie.

Will try that, thanks

EileenG wrote: »

But honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it. There have been a lot of studies that show that while toddlers don't usually eat in organised meal times, over the course of a week, they do usually eat a balanced diet. Trying to get in extra stuff because it doesn't look like enough can teach them to ignore their hunger/satiety feelings.

I know. My mother in law keeps saying that and the GP also said the same, but I just worry. Also, being spanish where our 3 meals a day are sacred doesnt help

EileenG wrote: »

If he's hungry at breakfast, then try offering something with a little more protein, eggs or cheese for instance. But some people do eat a big breakfast, then just nibble for the rest of the day. They are usually a lot thinner than the ones who clear their plates at every meal!

I dont think he would go for that. He is really set in his ways... if i offer him eggs (never eats them) or cheese or anythingelse for breakfast instead the cereals it will be mayhem. And yes he is a thin lad.

Thanks Eileen

EileenG

Trust your child. Make nutritious food available, but let him feed himself what he feels he needs. As long as you don't add in sugary junk to the choice, he will work out what he needs.

As for the family meals, I'd put him at the table for mealtimes, but leave it up to him what or if he eats.