Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
Concerned that Toddler Won't Eat Meat | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Ms. Silva,
My toddler will not eat any meat except for chicken. Should I be concerned?— Marion in Pennsylvania | | | ANSWER |
October 25, 2001 | | | Dear Marion,
Meats are a good source of iron and protein. Most children consume enough protein through a variety of foods but many children do not consume enough iron. Chicken is a good source of both protein and iron and it's often the only meat that a young child will eat. Since it's important for children to eat foods that are a good source of iron every day and it's unlikely that most children will eat chicken everyday, one must be creative by including other foods that contain a significant amount of iron.
Other foods that contain a good amount of iron include iron-fortified cereals, which most children eat very easily and can provide one hundred percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in one serving. Tuna fish, egg yolks, raisins, dried beans, whole wheat bread, and blackstrap molasses are other foods with a reasonable amount of iron. Giving your child a food that contains a significant amount of Vitamin C (such as broccoli, citrus fruit and tomatoes) at the same meal will improve the absorption of iron.— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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