HEALTH Q&A: Toddler’s taste

Q My toddler will not eat meat. Are there alternatives I can offer him to provide protein in his diet?

A Young children often go through no-meat phases. Meats are more difficult to chew, as they contain gristle, and lose flavor during the chewing process. If your child refuses to eat meats, here are some alternate choices:

Cheese, preferably low-fat, can be offered in many forms - sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, nachos and quesadillas.

Eggs, cooked dried beans, tofu, nuts and seeds are good protein sources. Be cautious offering nuts to very young children as they can cause choking.

Fish, such as salmon and albacore tuna, are easy to chew and excellent sources of protein and healthy fats.

Use yogurt as a snack or meal as the protein source.

Encourage your child to drink milk, which is an excellent source of protein and calcium.

Soft meats, such as ground meat in spaghetti sauce and chicken or tuna salad, are easy to chew as well as easy to prepare.

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