Feeding Toddlers - Nutritional Tips

When kids reach 2 years of age, it is time to start giving them homogenized whole cow’s milk. The toddler should eat most table foods that closely resemble the same types of food that the other family members enjoy. The frequency of eating for a toddler can be broken into multiple small meals per day.

Milk and dairy products should be limited to about 16oz. (2 cups) each day and 100% fruit juice should be limited to about 4-6 oz each day.

Introduce a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits. Exercise good judgment when a child is making the transition from a bottle to whole foods. Give the toddler manageable pieces of food. Miniaturize most of the foods given so they child is able to pick up the food with their fingers if necessary.

Food plan for a toddler should be selected based on the USDA guidelines. The US Department of Agriculture promotes a healthy eating guideline for children 2 years of age or older.

The food pyramid focuses on the five major food groups. To ensure a good nutritious eating plan, a combination of these food groups is required daily to maintain good health. The basic make up of the 5 food groups include:

1) The Grain group - Servings include 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, and 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal.

*Your child should eat 6 servings from this group.

2) Vegetable group - Servings include 1/2 cup of chopped or raw vegetables, or 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables.

*Your child should eat 3 servings from this group.

3) Fruit group - Servings include 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of 100% fruit juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit.

*Your child should eat 2 servings from this group.

4) Milk group - Servings include 1 cup of milk, yogurt or 2 ounces of cheese.

*Your child should eat 2 servings from this group.

Toddlers are so active that they may need mini-meals in between their main three meals. These mini-meals can be nutritious snackables. Snackables like apples slices with honey, graham crackers with cheese, or slices of bananas and strawberries in a cup can give toddlers the fuel they need for quick energy.

5) Meat group servings include 2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish, 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.

*Your child should eat 2 servings from this group.

As children grow older, their appetite may decrease. Sometimes they become “picky” eaters as their growth rate slows. As long as they maintain a healthy weight and have a normal activity level, you have little to worry about.

Your children’s daily nutrition is important to their overall health. Proper nutrition can prevent many medical problems, including obesity, developing weak bones, and developing diabetes. Following the USDA guidelines will insure that your toddler grows healthy and strong.