The U.S. Department of Agriculture bases its dietary recommendations for all age groups, including toddlers, on daily requirements suggested by the Institute of Medicine. These recommendations include daily amounts for calorie intake, macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are those nutrients needed in larger amounts and include protein, carbohydrates and fat. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals, which are needed in smaller amounts. Because toddlers need fewer calories than adults, they need less of nearly every nutrient.
Calories and Macronutrients
The recommended caloric intake for toddlers is 1,000 calories per day. The Institute of Medicine recommends that these calories come from 5 to 20 percent protein, 45 to 65 percent carbohydrates and 30 to 40 percent fat. This works out to approximately 13 to 50 g of protein, 113 to 162 g of carbohydrates and 34 to 44 g of fat per day. Toddlers should also consume approximately 19 g of fiber daily. Fiber is primarily found in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.
Minerals
Toddlers need both macrominerals, which are necessary in larger amounts, and trace minerals, which are needed in very small amounts. Toddlers need 500 mg of calcium per day. Calcium is important for bone production, healthy nerves and proper muscle flexion. Toddlers also need 80 mg of magnesium, 460 mg of phosphorus and 3 g of potassium daily. Toddlers also need numerous trace minerals, including 7 mg of iron, 3 mg of zinc and 1.2 mg of manganese.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and all the B vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins are those that can dissolve in water and therefore are passed out of your body daily in your urine. For this reason, water-soluble vitamins must be replaced daily. Toddlers need 15 mg per day of vitamin C, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, tomatoes and potatoes. Toddlers also need .5 mg of thiamin, riboflavin and B-6; .9 mmicrograms of B-12; 150 mmicrograms of folate; 6 mg of niacin and 2 mg of pantothenic acid per day. All of these are B vitamins, which as a whole are important for proper metabolism and nervous system health.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are the four vitamins that can be stored in the fat tissue in your body: A, D, E and K. The vitamin D requirement for toddlers is the same as that for most adults: 5 micrograms per day. The requirement for the other three fat-soluble vitamins is less than the amount required for adults. Toddlers need 300 micrograms of vitamin A, while adults need 700 to 900 micrograms. Vitamin A is found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Toddlers also need 6 mg of vitamin E and 30 micrograms of vitamin K. Vitamin E supports the immune system and vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting.
Member Comments