Final answer:
Cheese cubes are recommended as a snack for toddlers because they provide calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients, contributing to healthy growth without empty calories.
Step-by-step explanation:
When providing nutritional teaching to the guardian of a 2-year-old toddler, a nurse would recommend including cheese cubes as a snack. Cheese is part of the Milk/Yogurt/Cheese Group, and toddlers should have two to three servings from this group each day. Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which is vital for bone development, as well as providing protein, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins A and D.
Given the concern over childhood obesity and associated health risks like type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, it's important that snack foods contribute to the toddler's nutritional needs rather than empty calories. Cheese can be a valuable part of a child's diet and is also a convenient snack.