Beef is one of the high-protein foods needed by children to support their growth and development. In addition to being high in protein, beef contains fat, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, folate, choline, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, A, E, D, and K.
With its fairly complete nutritional content, beef has several benefits for toddlers, such as being a source of energy, increasing the child’s weight, improving intelligence and brain development, as well as maintaining the health of bones and teeth.
Pay attention to how you process meat for toddlers.
In addition to containing many nutrients for your little one, meat can be easily processed and served in various menus, such as roasted, boiled with spices, or fried and enjoyed with a special sauce.
However, the fiber in meat can make it difficult for toddlers to chew and swallow. Therefore, you should pay attention to the level of doneness of the meat. Cook the meat thoroughly so it becomes tender when your little one eats it.
In addition, Nancy Z. Farrell, a nutritionist from Farrell Dietitian Services, adds that the meat pieces should not be more than a quarter inch (for whole meat). However, if the child is still under 12 months old, you should give the meat mixed with rice and blended (strained meat) or ground meat first.
Meat does contain many nutrients for toddlers. But, how much meat should a toddler eat? Here’s the explanation, Moms.
Amount of meat portion that toddlers can consume.
According to the Nutritional Requirements from the USA Ministry of Health, children aged 1-3 years need 1,600 calories, 26 grams of protein, and 44 grams of fat. This requirement can be met by giving at least 56 grams of meat to your little one in one day.
Elisa Zeid, a nutritionist from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, adds that in a week, a good portion of meat to give to toddlers is approximately 283 grams. You can serve it as ground meatballs, diced meat, or whole meat.
For your information, toddlers should only be given beef to consume. This is because its texture is safer and more suitable for your little one. Avoid processed meats, such as sausages or corned beef, as they contain very high salt levels that could be excessive for your little one.
That’s the amount of meat that toddlers can consume. Also, pay attention to the points above so your little one can still enjoy meat and get the optimal nutrition to support their growth and development.
