There are a lot of good reasons to make sure that your toddler eats a balanced, nutritious diet. But did you know that those same healthy choices could also make potty training easier? If you're getting ready to train your tot on the toilet, pay attention to what he or she is eating to make things go a little more smoothly.

The idea is that if elimination comes easily, so will potty training. Some fruits and vegetables can increase the frequency of stools, but more importantly, they can make stools softer and easier to pass. Toddlers have a very long memory; when something hurts or scares them, they remember it. So if they're constipated and have a painful or difficult bowel movement, they're less likely to try and do it again...and that can turn into a power struggle that sets you back a long time.

Dr. Anatoly Belilovsky, New York pediatrician and former Chief Pediatric Resident at Brooklyn Hospital, has a few feeding recommendations for potty training parents:

• Feed fruits with a peel, since the peel has a higher fiber content.
• Choose vegetables like beans, sweet potatoes, peas, tomatoes and corn, which are all higher in fiber.
• Prunes and apricots have a pro-laxative effect, in addition to being rich in fiber.
  

When adding fiber to your child's diet, it's smart to go slow to avoid gas and bloating. And as always, stick to foods in forms that are age-appropriate for your child.

Dr. Belilovsky also recommends reducing cheese and other dairy products during the potty training period, since they can have a constipating effect. Instead, offer plenty of water, which will ease any constipation and fill that bladder up, giving plenty of opportunity to practice!

Here are some fiber-rich snack ideas for toddlers getting ready to potty train:

• Slice grapes or cherry tomatoes in half and serve with whole grain crackers.
• Cook a sweet potato in the microwave for 5-7 minutes. Peel, then slice into cookie-shaped circles and serve.
• Serve steamed green beans or cauliflower with ranch dressing for dipping.
• Core an apple, then spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto round slices.
• Frozen peas right out of the freezer are a nice, cool treat on a summer day.
• Avocados are very high in fiber, and a soft, tasty treat for younger toddlers.
  

When my daughters were tiny and I wanted to encourage variety, I served them lunch in a plastic ice cube tray -- sliced grapes in one cube, sliced apples in another, and so on. They were so excited about the presentation, they forgot to be picky about the food I was serving.

A fiber-rich diet will make potty training easier for you and your toddler, but it's also a great way to introduce healthy foods and build a foundation of good nutrition at a very early age.