The digestive system of a 12-month-old has matured enough to handle most foods. It is important to continue offering your 1-year-old nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks to ensure proper growth and development. The appetite of a 1-year-old will decrease due to slower growth so don't worry if your child suddenly doesn't want to eat very much. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, a 12-month-old needs approximately 1000 calories a day divided among three meals and two snacks. They also need foods from the same food groups as adults.
Breakfast
Because the AAP recommends a child be weaned from the bottle by 15 months, offer your child whole milk in a cup for breakfast. Your child needs the fat in whole milk until she is 2 years old for proper brain development. Most 1-year-olds enjoy feeding themselves so offer dry, ready-to-eat cereals and small, cut up pieces of fruit. You can also give your child an egg, scrambled and cut into small pieces so she doesn't choke.
Snack
Snacks are part of a healthy meal plan for 1-year-olds and should contain nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein foods. For a morning snack, offer your 1-year-old small pieces of peeled apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries or any other fruit your child likes and some crackers. You might also add small pieces of cheese or yogurt as a dairy and protein source.
Lunch
Lunch should contain foods from the grain, fruit or vegetable, milk and meat groups. Offer your 12-month-old a half sandwich such as ham, tuna, turkey or chicken. You might want to offer the meat separate from the bread if it is easier for your child to eat. Small pieces of cooked carrots, peas or green beans are just some of the vegetables you might try. Make sure the vegetables are soft so your child doesn't choke. Four oz. of whole milk in a cup will complete this meal.
Snack
The stomach of a 12-month-old is small so he needs to eat more often. Another snack between lunch and dinner will help meet his calorie and nutrient needs for the day. A healthy snack in the afternoon could include small pieces of fruit or vegetables and half a slice of whole wheat bread or a few crackers. If you want to offer your child juice, make sure it is 100 percent juice and always offer it in a cup, not the bottle, to keep your child's teeth healthy.
Dinner
A 12-month-old can eat whatever you are preparing for your whole family for dinner, whether it's a casserole, soup or meat and potatoes. Place a smaller portion size on your child's plate for him to enjoy. Remember to cut the food into small pieces to avoid choking. A 1-year-old needs about 16 oz. of milk a day so if he hasn't had enough milk, offer him some at dinner.
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