Single dad

During her pregnancy, your spouse eats for herself as well as for the baby. She requires not just an increase in the quantity of food she eats, but food that is nutritious, to help the fetus grow and develop.

Below is a list of the components she requires in her diet, along with their common food sources:

Carbohydrates: These constitute the body’s main source of energy. Common sources include potatoes, rice, cereals, beans, bran, and pasta.

Protein: Protein is essential for the production and growth of cells in the body. It is found in meat, dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk, eggs, soy, food grains, and legumes.

Fat: Fat is a source of energy and aids the absorption and digestion of fat-soluble vitamins. It is found in meat, vegetable oils, cream, butter, margarine, nuts, and peanut butter.

Calcium: Calcium is used for building strong bones and teeth. Its common sources include dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy products such as tofu, and nuts.

Vitamin A: It ensures healthy skin, eyes, and bones. Common sources include carrots and leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B6: It is essential for the formation of red blood cells. It is found in chicken, pork, ham, nuts, green beans, wheat germ, and bananas.

Vitamin C: It has a role in maintaining health of the gums, teeth, and bones. Common sources include citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.

Vitamin D: It helps in the absorption of calcium and maintains teeth and bones. It is found in fortified dairy products, margarine, cereals, and bread.

As your toddler grows and explores newer activities, you will find it necessary to teach your toddler to accept your authority when you communicate it to him. Let your toddler know you are the boss. The trick to disciplining your toddler is to be firm, yet gentle. Remember, you are doing it for your toddler’s good.

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Toddlers find it amusing to walk on their toes and may walk quite a distance if not reprimanded by adults. In some cases, the toddler may outgrow this habit. A firm high cut shoe that does not bend in the middle can help the toddler overcome this habit. In case the efforts may not yield the desired changes, visit a doctor or take medical guidance at the earliest. Toe walking is also a health condition suffered by a large percentage of toddlers. In the absence of medical guidance:

• They will be unable to walk in the correct manner for a long time.
• It may lead to chronic problems like pain in the hip and backache later in life.

Researchers in the physiotherapy department of Monash Medical centre have devised exercises that help to lengthen the calf muscles of toddlers who have been toe walkers all their lives.

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