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Expert Q&A

	By Peggy O'Shea Kochenbach Registered Dietitian

My toddler loves to dip his food in anything. What are some healthy dip options?

In comparison to their infant days, toddlers actually have a proportionally lower caloric need. Toddlers also tend to be quite picky in their eating habits while being full of energy. Therefore, it is important to make sure that all foods a toddler eats pack a solid nutrition punch. Make sure to pick dips that provide important nutrients and not a lot of empty calories from sugar.

Whole-milk yogurt is a tasty and delicious dip for toddlers and also can be used as a base for other creative dips. Stir in fruit puree to make a perfect dip for finger fruits or any vegetable puree for some soft dipping vegetables. Other suggestions include cottage cheese, tofu, cream cheese and peanut butter. You can also try some 'ready-made' items that can serve as a quick and easy dip, like applesauce, hummus, guacamole or tomato sauce.

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