Dairy Requirements for Toddler Nutrition
Recommended Dairy Nutrients Needed for a Toddler
Mar 27, 2009
As infants become toddlers their nutrition requirements change with them. Toddlers need more nutrients in proportion to their growing bodies. The extra nutrients are used to develop healthy teeth, bones, muscles, and blood volume. In order for the toddlers body to develop properly a wide variety of vitamins and minerals are need. A toddler that is 1-3 years of age needs at least 1,300 calories a day. Because of the high amount of calories needed, toddlers should eat 5-6 small meals a day.
Dairy Products
As infants cows milk is not needed for the child to develop properly but after a year of age cows milk is vital to their development. Cow’s milk can provide toddlers with the proper dairy requirements. A main nutrient growing toddler’s need but often lack is calcium. Milk is an excellent source for this. Calcium is needed in a toddler’s body to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed by the muscles to properly contract. Fortified milk is a great source for toddlers to receive their calcium as well as protein, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D.
Dairy Requirements
It is recommended toddlers have 2-3 servings of dairy products a day to achieve their dietary requirements. About 2 cups of dairy products are needed a day. Toddler dairy requirements can easy be met through a healthy diet. If a healthy diet is not maintained a toddler may need to begin taking dietary supplements to maintain adequate levels of the nutrients needed.
Dairy Sources
There are numerous dairy sources available for toddlers to have incorporated into their diet. Whole milk and low fat yogurt are good foods to give toddlers at breakfast or as a snack. Cheese can be cut into squares and given to the toddlers for lunch. A good cheese that children often like is cheddar cheese. Soft boiled eggs are a good option for a snack or to serve with lunch. AAFP.org has multiple meal plans for toddlers to make sure they receive their recommended dairy requirements.
Although having adequate levels of the nutrients from dairy products are vital for proper development, it is not good to have too many of these nutrients in a diet. If a toddler drinks a lot of milk through out the day and fills their stomach up it decreases their appetite. If their appetite decreases they may not receive vital nutrient through other foods. As toddlers grow, their nutrient requirements change. Faqs.org has a chart of the nutrition requirements as a toddler grows.
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