Feeding toddlers can be both an exciting and a frustrating business. During the toddler years, your child is constantly trying new tastes and textures but his ongoing struggle for independence means it's not always easy to convince him to eat the nutritious foods he needs. Knowing how to help your toddler to meet his calorie requirements can help him develop a taste for the right foods and get the nutrients his body requires.
Recommendations
The average toddler needs about 1,300 calories daily, with bigger kids needing more and smaller kids less, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com. The child's age is a factor as well; 1,300 calories may be too much for toddlers under 24 months and not enough for those over 3 years old. When preparing meals, keep in mind that a typical toddler portion should be about ¼ of an adult portion.
Considerations
It's not uncommon for toddlers to sip on juice and milk all day long, but downing glass after glass of these caloric drinks can quickly add up to more than 1,300 calories, leaving your toddler full without ever having eaten any food. Toddlers should drink between 16 and 24 oz. of milk per day while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting your toddler's juice intake to 4 to 6 oz. per day.
Food Groups
A typical toddler should consume 3 oz. of grains per day: half of them from whole-grain sources, 1 cup of vegetables, 1 cup of fruit, 2 cups of milk and 2 oz. of meat and beans, says KidsHealth.org. These foods should ideally be divided into three meals and two snacks, although your toddler's appetite may dictate when and how often she eats some days.
Sample Menu
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a sample menu for a typical 2-year-old: ½ cup milk, ½ slice whole wheat toast, ½ tsp. margarine or butter, 1/3 cup fruit and ½ cup iron-fortified cereal for breakfast; four crackers with cheese or hummus and ½ cup water for a snack; ½ cup milk, two to three cut-up carrot sticks, ½ cup berries and ½ sandwich made with meat, cheese and vegetables for lunch; ½ cup milk and ½ apple for a snack; and ½ cup milk, 2 oz. meat, 1/3 cup rice or pasta and 2 tbsp. vegetables for dinner.
Strategies
While it's important for toddlers to eat foods from every food group, children this age are notoriously picky eaters. Rather than trying to force your toddler to eat or turning mealtimes into a battle, keep offering him a variety of foods and let him make his own choices. He may be more interested in trying new tastes if they're presented in fun ways or if he's allowed to feed herself with his fingers instead of using a spoon and fork.
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