Encouraging a picky two-year-old child to try new and healthy foods is a common parental challenge. Nutritional experts recommend that adults set a good role model by eating various, healthy foods at home every day. Children may protest if you force them to eat, therefore placing new foods in front of a two-year-old child without comment is often the best approach to get her interested. Don't let your toddler eat before meal times. Let her pick out new fruits, vegetables and other foods at the market.
Grains
Whole grains have more nutritional value than traditional bread and pasta. Fortunately, new and tastier types of whole grain foods are now available at most super markets. Foods to try include: whole grain pasta with sauce or cheese, whole grain cereals and whole grain bagels or toast. Two year old children often love pancakes, therefore consider purchasing buckwheat pancake mix or making french toast from whole grain breads.
Fruits and Vegetables
Small children are curious about new things and may try new fruits and vegetables if you take the right approach. Slice vegetables into easy-to-grab sizes or fun shapes. Some good vegetable choices are carrot sticks, cucumber slices, red or yellow peppers and snap peas. Fruits that kids like include apple slices, oranges, bananas, strawberries, grapes and melons. Cut fruit into cubes and set in front of your two-year-old child without comment. The curious child may just pick up a vegetable or fruit piece and taste it without prodding. You may need to repeat the process, as it could take a few tries for him to eat a new food.
Dairy
Never allow him to drink soda or sugary drinks. Instead, offer milk with meals, avoiding chocolate or flavored milks, as kids tend to shy away from regular milk once they develop a taste for the sweeter versions. You can find many types of children's yogurts at grocery stores. These make good snacks that toddlers enjoy. Cheese slices and cheese sticks come in fun single-serve packages. Serve them along with fruit. Lactose and dairy- free foods also provide needed calcium to children who may be allergic to dairy products.
Protein
Two-year-old children love hot dogs and processed chicken nuggets. However, you can make some better protein-packed snacks at home. Most stores carry turkey bacon and chicken hot dogs. These are usually healthier than the higher-fat versions. Some toddlers may enjoy boiled eggs or cheese omelets, as well as fish sticks and baked chicken nuggets. Bean dip and peanut butter are two types of non-animal proteins that you can serve with veggies or whole grain bread.
