Toddlers are in a transition stage from infancy to children. It is a time of learning, growing and establishing routines. Offering a variety of foods can entice toddlers to try new things. This stage of life may bring concern to parents since toddler's appetite and eating habits can fluctuate daily. It's a parent's responsibility to determine what foods are offered, and where and when meals and snacks are served, but the toddler will decide whether he want to eat and how much.
Meal Regimen
Scheduled meals are important for your toddler's diet plan as a toddler's body becomes accustomed to eating at certain times. Routines can be a valuable part of the day. Schedule snacks as well as meals and do not allow a child to snack or graze all day. Grazing can lead to poor eating habits and toddlers may not get enough needed calories and nutrients. You should offer three meals and two healthy snacks daily.
Food Groups
Balanced meals and healthy snacks are a must for toddler's diet. Toddlers may ask for the same foods over and over again. These food jags will not last long. Calories needed for toddlers may vary due to activity level. You should offer a toddler foods from all the food groups. Toddlers need approximately 6 servings of grains each day. Grains can include bread, crackers, pasta and cereals. Fruits and vegetables are an important food group for every age. Offer your toddler approximately 5 servings from this group daily. These can include raw or cooked fruits and vegetables. Offering 2 servings of meat or protein daily can meet your toddler's needs. Choose a variety of protein foods such as lean meat, dry beans, eggs or peanut butter. Toddlers need approximately 3 to 4 servings of fat daily. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to allow dietary fat in a toddler's diet to guarantee proper growth and brain development.
Drinks
What your child drinks is important, but make sure he doesn't drink too much. Many toddlers drink more than necessary and it results in poor eating habits. At around 12 months, parents should focus on weaning toddlers from bottles. Offering a small, regular cup for meals is a great way to get your toddler off to a good start. Milk is an important part of a toddler's diet. KidsHealth reports that the calcium requirement is easily met if your child gets the recommended two servings of dairy foods every day. Toddlers 12 to 24 months should consume whole cow's milk. After age two, you can offer reduced fat milk. Limit juice drinks as much as possible. Anything other than 100 percent juice provides empty calories with little nutrients. MyPyramid recommends serving preschool age children no more than ½ to ¾ cup of 100 percent juice daily. Offer water to your toddler when she's thirsty and limit flavored water, soda pop and other sweet beverages.
Recommended Serving Size
Serving size is an important factor when it comes to feeding toddlers. Offer small portions on small plates. One tbsp. of food for every year of age is recommended. You can also offer one-quarter of an adult serving per year of age instead. When parents offer the correct portion size, toddlers may seem less frustrated at mealtime. Do not use the "clean your plate" rule, as it may cause overeating in the future.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Raising Healthy Infants, Children, and Teens; Feeding Your Toddler- Ages 1 to 3 years; July 15, 2009
- American Academy of Pediatrics; Healthy Children: Dietary Fat and Toddlers; Nov. 30, 2010
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: MyPyramid: Fruit Group---Focus on Fruits
- KidsHealth; Nutrition Guide for Toddlers; Oct. 2008
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