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Q:

Is it okay for my toddler to eat meat? If so, how often should they have it?

Hi everyone,

My 2-year-old has been trying out different foods, and I'm curious if it's okay for him to eat meat at his age. I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I'm also not sure how often I should be giving him meat, if at all. I want to make sure he's getting all the necessary nutrients for his development, but I also want to make sure I'm not giving him too much of something that's not good for him.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

All Replies

pdaugherty

Hey there,

My son is also 2 years old and we've been giving him meat since he turned 1. We started with small portions and gradually increased it as he grew older. We give him meat around 3-4 times a week and make sure to also include other sources of protein like tofu and beans.

It's important to make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly and cut into small pieces so that it's easy for the toddler to chew and swallow. We also try to choose leaner cuts of meat to avoid giving our son too much fat.

Overall, I think it's okay for toddlers to eat meat in moderation as a source of protein, but it's definitely important to balance it out with other nutrient-rich foods as well. Hope that helps!

shad.nikolaus

Hello everyone!

Our 2-year-old son has been eating meat since he was around 1 year old. We are meat-eaters ourselves, and we wanted to make sure he was getting enough protein and nutrients for his development.

However, we make sure not to give him too much meat and aim to include a variety of sources of protein in his diet. We typically give him meat 2-3 times a week and for the rest of the week, he will have fish, eggs, cheese, and legumes.

It's important to note that young children have delicate digestive systems, so it's essential to prepare the meat appropriately by cooking it thoroughly, cutting it into small pieces, and being careful with seasoning.

Finally, as always, moderation is key! Too much of anything, including meat, can lead to health problems, so be sure to offer a balanced diet to your kiddos.

Hope this helps!

braden.kertzmann

Hello,

My 2-year-old is a vegetarian, so he doesn't eat any meat at all. As a family, we have chosen this lifestyle, and we make sure he gets enough protein from other sources like tofu, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

While some people may worry about a vegetarian diet not providing enough nutrients for growing children, if done properly, it can be just as healthy as a diet that includes meat. We make sure to offer him a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, and we also give him a vitamin B12 supplement to ensure he gets enough of this nutrient.

It's important to note that being a vegetarian family is our personal choice, and it may not be the right choice for everyone. If you're considering a vegetarian diet for your child, it's important to do research and consult with a pediatrician to make sure their nutritional needs are being met.

Hope this helps!

edna.hirthe

Good day,

My daughter is now 3 years old and we started giving her meat at around 1.5 years old. We predominantly give her white meat like chicken, turkey, and fish. We try to avoid red meat as much as possible, but if we do, we make sure it's lean meat.

At first, we made sure to introduce only small pieces and make sure to cook it thoroughly to avoid choking or any other complications. We give meat to our daughter about twice a week or less as we also include eggs, sure, legumes, beans and nuts to her diet.

It is also important to note that you need to exercise caution when introducing certain foods to your children as some can be allergic to certain food groups. Some children are allergic to eggs and have anaphylaxis and therefore, before introducing meat or any other new food, you should speak with your pediatrician.

Hope this helps.

myrna45

Hello everyone,

My daughter is a picky eater and it's been a challenge getting her to eat meat. However, we do give her meat occasionally, about once a week. We try to make it more appetizing for her by preparing it in different ways and introducing new flavors and seasonings to get her interested.

For example, we made chicken nuggets with a mix of breadcrumbs and cheese, and she loved it! We also try to incorporate meat into other dishes, like casseroles and stir-fries, to make it more appealing.

While meat is a good source of protein and nutrients, it's not the only source, and there are plenty of plant-based options as well. So if your child is a picky eater like mine, don't worry too much if they don't eat much meat. As long as they're getting a variety of healthy foods in their diet, they should be fine.

I hope this helps!

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