Nutrition for a 2 Year Old

[WDWorBUST]

My dd is 27 months now and growing like a weed with hollow legs. She eats a pretty rounded diet - probably more junk than I would like but then a lot of fruits & veggies too (more fruits than veggies unfortunately). My question is as much concerning me as her. I need to lose a significant amount of weight and I know one area I really need to work on is portion control. It really helps me to eat the Lean Cuisine/Healthy Choice/Smart Ones because they are a portion and I do eat them for lunch. I was wanting to start just having one for dinner with maybe a salad or other veggie to 1.) Get my stomach used to the smaller amounts of food and 2.) They are fast and easy. My question is - Is there any reason I can't fix her one too? I don't want to cook for just her (DH needs to lose too and portion control is also his biggest challenge) and I would rather give her something healthy - so is there anything wrong with her eating them?

 

[justhat]

I really have no experience, but I would say that nutritionally there is nothing wrong with them so I would think it's fine. We buy some of those Healthy Choice meals sometimes and my daughter has eaten bites of our meals when she wanted to try them. The only thing I'd be cautious about is that she's not going to eat a whole meal (at least my almost 2yo wouldn't) and then you're both faced with throwing out what will probably be a good amount of food, or finishing up after her which can be a problem for you guys. I only say that cause I know when I make my daughter pasta (or whatever) and I am not eating it, I will often snack on what she doesn't eat. I'm pregnant and after having an 8 lbs. 4 oz. baby born 15 days early, my dr really doesn't want me eating carbs this time around to try and get a smaller baby, so I don't eat them, but then when I see all the excess food my daughter has it gets very tempting!

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't see a problem, just read the labels and IMHO try to stay away from a lot of added salt, artificial ingredients etc for her.

DD loves the Ian's frozen dinners. They are geared toward kids and are more healthy than a lot of frozen dinners, especially the ones marketed toward kids.

 

[Aidensmom]

I would not think it would be bad nutritionally, but I would make sure to have on hand any "extras" to go with them that may not be included, like perhaps whole grain bread, fresh fruits, etc.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I've never seen an Ians dinner - they're geared towards kids? I'll have to look at that.

I'm sure most the time she won't eat a whole dinner so I was thinking about halfing it from the get go and sending the rest with her for lunch the next day (She stays with my mom). But I totally agree about the temptation to "finish up" after them and not waste food. But I swear sometimes I think her legs are hollow....she's growing but hasn't gained much but at times she eats and eats. Like yesterday she ate two bananas at one sitting. Granted they were smaller - but where did she put them?? I have worked very hard with her not to be tempted to make her finish anything. I will make her "try" everything. And I'll encourage her to eat some protein (whatever it is) since I think she tends to skimp on it. But I don't make her finish a meal ever because I don't want her to have to fight a weight problem that I created for her. So I just let her eat when she's hungry and try to make sure she has nutritional choices most of the time.

And I will definitely fix a veggie with them for us too since we'll probably buy the lunch sized entrees and add veggies to it since they are cheaper and we get those for lunch and there is a good selection to choose from. But that is definitely important to remember to make sure we get fruits and veggies and that she is too.

Any other suggestions on nutritious quick meals for a 2 year old?

 

[Crankyshank]

Just a note with those frozen weight watcher type meals, you might want to check with your Dr to make sure it's ok for you to have 1-2 a day and how many times a week. Especially if you have a BP concern with your weight. Those things are loaded with sodium and I know my Dr isn't fond of me having more than 2 or 3 a week for that reason and my BP is in the slightly high end of normal range

and my WW leader says WW doesn't recommend having them every day as part of their program.

 

[mickeyboat]

Along with whole grains and veggies, make sure she is still getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D from dairy.

Denae

 

[WDWorBUST]

I never thought about it possibly not being good for me....hmmm I'll check with the old doctor.

The one thing I have always fought with Samantha is she hates milk - I know go figure. So she gets calcium enriched Goldfish, cheese, and calcium fortified OJ in addition to her vitamins. So hopefully she's covered with those things in her diet.