Mother, Baby & Kids

Nutrition for Toddlers: Grains & Potatoes

children eating chips

New mummies might wonder which grains and potatoes are great for toddlers. Grains and potatoes are known as important food intakes. Grains and potatoes are also rich in carbohydrates and commonly low in fat. However, not all grains and potatoes are great for your children.

Let’s discover which grains and potatoes are toddler-friendly, should be consumed in moderation, and avoided together, shall we?

Safe Grains And Potatoes For Your Toddlers

Corn

Your toddler can consume corn. Corns have nutrients that can improve your toddler’s immune system and vision development. You can try to boil them thoroughly until the kernels are soft, which makes it safer for your toddler to eat.

Black rice

Black rice is safe for your toddler to eat. You can try to cook your black rice as soft as possible as it makes it easier for your toddler to digest them. Black rice is great food for your toddler. It is high in essential nutrients and antioxidants which can help to improve your toddler’s brain and bones development.

Barley

Your children can have some barley in their food. It is rich in beneficial nutrients and vitamins which are great for your toddler’s physical development and growth. However, you need to ensure you cook it properly as it might be hard for your children to digest.

Bread

It is fine to feed your children with bread when they are 9-10 months old. Whole-grain bread can supply plenty of fibre to your toddler which is good for his digestion. At the same time, bread can also boost your toddler’s energy.

Buckwheat

Next, you can try to give your child some buckwheat too. Buckwheat is rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants which are great to promote your toddler’s brain development. This nutrient-rich grain can also aid in healthy digestion and improve his immune system. Buckwheat is also low in cholesterol which is great for your toddler!

Cereal

Your toddler can consume cereals in small amounts. You should try to feed your toddler the wholegrain cereals rather than the normal ones. Wholegrain cereals can improve your toddler’s digestion. New mummies may also try to avoid any extra sugar, creamer, or milk powder. You should try to add on your breast milk, formula milk and fresh fruits to his cereal instead, as it gives numerous nutrients!

Millet

New mummies can try to feed their toddlers with millets. Millets can help to improve your toddler’s development and growth while being great energy boosters too!

Noodles

Your toddler is safe to consume noodles. You should try to cook the noodles as soft as you can to make it easier for your toddler to digest them. Additionally, you may also try to add less of any seasonings like salt and sugar. You should try to avoid feeding your toddlers with instant noodles as it contains a lot of preservatives, sodium, and fat. So, try to optimise homemade noodles rather than instant ones.

Flat rice noodles

Mums can feed their toddlers with flat rice noodles too. They are high in carbohydrates which can supply your toddlers with energy and strength. However, they have little nutrients so you should try to cook them with more greens and meat.

Oatmeal

Your toddlers can also consume oatmeal. Oatmeal can help to develop your toddler’s growth and brain development. It is also good to boost your energy and prevent constipation.

Vermicelli

Mums can try to feed their toddlers with vermicelli. Vermicelli has nutrients that are great for your toddler’s development.

Thai rice

As long as your toddler has reached the age of 11 months old, you can try to feeding him some Thai rice. Thai rice can improve your toddler’s growth and development. In addition, it can also boost his energy and immune system.

Sorghum

Toddlers can consume sorghum too. Sorghum is high in high-quality nutrients like vitamins and proteins. All of these are great for your toddler’s spinal cord and brain development. Mums can try to mix some of them with your rice porridge.

Quinoa

New mummies can feed their toddlers with quinoa. Quinoa is rich in nutrients that are great for your toddler’s brain and bones development. Not only that but quinoa is also great for your toddler’s digestive system.

Sweet potato

Your toddler may eat sweet potatoes in moderation. They are high in minerals and vitamins which are great for your toddler’s development.

Purple yam

Your toddlers need to consume purple yams in moderate amounts as they are not easy to digest. You should try to boil or steam them until they are soft and mushy. Purple yams can help to improve your toddler’s vision and skin conditions. They can also boost your toddler’s immune system.

Consume in Moderation

Glutinous rice

You may feed your toddler with glutinous rice in moderation. Gluttonous rice is rich in carbohydrates and natural sugar which can supply your toddler with energy. But, you need to be careful with it as it has a high levels of sugar. So remember to feed them in moderation. In addition, you should not feed your babies that are below the age of 11 months with glutinous rice as it is not suitable for them to eat.

Tapioca

Your toddler needs to consume tapioca in moderate quantities. Tapioca is rich in nutrients which can boost your toddler’s energy and immune system. It can also aid your toddler’s brain development. You should avoid feeding your children undercooked tapioca. Additionally, you should also refrain from feeding them to your baby below the age of 11 months.

Avoid These Grains and Potatoes

Job’s tear

New mums should not feed their children with job’s tears. Especially if your children are under the ages of 11 months. This is because it might cause your toddler indigestion.

Cassava

Your toddlers cannot consume cassava. Especially if your children are below the age of 11 months.

Potato chips

Mummies should refrain their toddlers from eating potato chips. They have a lot of saturated fat which can fill your toddler up with unhealthy foods.

Your toddlers need to consume healthy grains and potatoes!

Now that you know which are safe for your toddler’s consumption, do keep in mind to only feed him healthy grains and potatoes. This will ensure your child reap the many beneficial nutrients from them. Just remember to teach healthy eating habits to your children at an early age. This ensures your toddler’s healthy growth into adulthood.

Sources:

Discover the top 8 rules of your child’s nutrition here.

Check out which beverages are toddler-friendly and which should be avoided here.


Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.


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