Nutrients Your Picky Eater Toddler May Be Missing

Fussy eater? Learn more about the three nutrients your toddler may be missing, how to boost their intake and healthy foods for picky eaters.

Iron Deficiency in Toddlers

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in children and may affect up to 15% of toddlers. Iron is vital for red blood cells and essential for delivering oxygen from the lungs to muscle and tissue in the rest of the body for energy. Inadequate iron intake may lead to a more serious condition called iron deficiency anemia.

Children one to three years should aim for at least 7 mg of iron daily. Along with a healthy diet that includes high iron foods for toddlers, such as leafy greens, meat, nuts and beans, Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula can help children achieve adequate amounts of daily iron. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula contains over 3mg of iron in two 4-ounce servings. That’s 30% of your toddler’s daily iron, compared to only about 0.7% and 1.2% in the same amount of cow and goat milk respectively.

Calcium for Toddlers

Calcium is an important mineral for bone development and strength but also contributes to proper tooth growth, as well as nerve and muscle functioning. Calcium is an important cow milk nutrient and for children avoiding cow milk, finding the best milk alternative can be tricky.

Toddlers should aim for 800 mg of calcium daily. Some non-cow-dairy calcium-rich foods for toddlers include salmon, almonds, and green leafy vegetables, such as kale. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula contains 320 mg of calcium in two 4-ounce servings, 40% of your toddler’s daily calcium. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is naturally easy to digest and may help to achieve adequate amounts of daily calcium.

Vitamin D for Toddlers

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is made by the body when sunlight hits the skin. It is essential for healthy bones and increases the absorption of calcium. Severe deficiency may lead to rickets, causing very weak bones and increased risk of fracture. Vitamin D has many other functions, including neuromuscular development and immune function.

Vitamin D deficiency in the US is common, and as many as 60% of children have insufficient levels. Low levels of vitamin D may be more common than you may think, since clothing and sunscreen also block the synthesis of vitamin D, and very few foods contain vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently increased the recommended amount of vitamin D for toddlers to 600 IU per day. Food sources for vitamin D include salmon and fortified orange juice. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula contains 106 IU of vitamin D per two 4-ounce servings and can contribute to your little one’s daily intake.

Healthy Food Solutions for Picky Eaters

Getting enough iron, calcium and vitamin D into your little one each day can be tricky, especially if your toddler is a picky eater. It’s important to model healthy eating habits and to continually offer whole foods. Adding two, 4-ounce servings of Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula each day is a wonderful complement to your little one’s favorite foods, and can help fill in nutrient gaps that may not be achieved through diet alone. If you’d like to see if Kabrita Goat Milk Formula & Foods are right for your family, try our special offer!