Knowing portion sizes can help you determine how much food to offer your toddler each day. KidsHealth notes that this may be a challenging task because food packages and restaurant portions are much larger than they should be. Prevent your toddler from eating too much because it can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Keep portion sizes for each food group in mind when cooking can help your toddler stay satisfied and healthy.
Fruit and Vegetable Group
Fruits and vegetables should make up a good portion of your toddler's diet because they supply the nutrients she needs to continue growing and developing. MyPyramid.gov, a government website that teaches the general public how much of what foods to eat, recommends offering your toddler several varieties of fruits and vegetables each day. Healthy Children notes that a serving of cooked vegetables is 2 to 3 tbsp. and a serving of raw vegetables should include several bite-sized pieces. One half to one whole piece of fruit is considered a serving, as is 4 oz. of juice. Your toddler needs between 4 and 5 servings of each every day.
Grains Group
Foods from the grain group, such as bread, pasta and cereal, supply your toddler with nutrients like fiber and protein. MyPyramid.gov recommends that at least half of his grains be whole. A serving of grains for your toddler is between a half and a whole piece of bread, 1/4-cup to 1/2-cup of cooked cereal or 1/2-cup to 1 cup of dry cereal. Three to four servings of grains each day is best for optimal health.
Milk and Dairy Group
Milk is one of the most important parts of your toddler's diet because it supplies calcium and protein, which she needs for proper growth. If your toddler is over the age of two, make sure her milk is low-fat or skim so she does not consume too much fat. If she is under two, she still needs whole milk for her brain development. MyPyramid.gov adds that yogurt and cheese are also healthy sources of calcium and protein. A serving of milk is 1/2 a cup and your child needs to drink between 4 and 5 servings each day. A 1/2 oz. of cheese or 1/2 cup of yogurt are considered one serving as well.
Meat and Protein Group
Meat and beans supply your toddler with the protein he needs to grow healthy bones and muscles. MyPyramid.gov suggests serving foods low in saturated fat, like beans, eggs and lean white meat chicken. Healthy Children notes that your toddler needs two servings of foods from the meat and protein group each day. A serving counts as 1 to 2 ounces of lean meat, 1 egg, 2 tbsp. of peanut butter or 4 to 5 tbsp. of cooked beans. Ask your pediatrician before serving your toddler fish because it is considered a high allergen food.
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