Super Foods for Toddlers

While there are several varying definitions for the term "super food," it does have a few defining qualities: it must be rich in vitamins and minerals, fiber and antioxidants, with a healthy balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In addition, super foods should be eaten every day. While there are hundreds of super foods, recommended by everyone from doctors to Oprah, they are not all suited to a toddler's pallet. The following six foods are all considered super foods, but are also foods that you can reasonably expect a picky toddler to enjoy.

  1. Blueberries

    • Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, blueberries top almost any super food list and, thankfully, kids love them. According to Parents Magazine, "in addition to protecting against heart disease and diabetes and improving brain function, blueberries may also help reduce visceral 'toxic' belly fat̵2;a type of fat that has been linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome." Add blueberries to ice cream, yogurt or oatmeal, or just serve them plain.

    Oatmeal

    • This iron-rich, toddler-approved super food has more than half the amount of iron a child needs for an entire day, according to Dr. Lara Field, a Pediatric Dietitian and sole proprietor of "Forming Early Eating Decisions" (FEED.com). Also, it can be combined with other super foods such as blueberries, cocoa or strawberries.

    Oranges

    • This fruit is packed with Vitamin C and fiber, and is usually a favorite with toddlers. Cut slices up into manageable sizes and serve plain or sprinkled with cocoa powder. Dr. Lara Field recommends opting for the actual fruit over orange juice, which often contains extra calories and less fiber.

    Cocoa

    • This might seem too good to be true, but cocoa powder contains a high concentration of flavonoids, which improve blood pressure, heart and oral health and might protect against skin damage, according to Parents Magazine. The magazine recommends the chocolate should be 70 percent pure cocoa, generally labeled dark chocolate, rather than milk chocolate. Sprinkle cocoa powder on whipped cream and serve with strawberries or blueberries, two other super foods.

    Strawberries

    • These sweet fruits are packed with vitamin C and fiber, and are a treat that most toddlers enjoy. If you are having trouble getting your toddler to eat strawberries, try dunking them in melted dark chocolate, another super food.

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