After the first year, your toddler's rate of growth slows down. But good nutrition still plays an important role in his continued growth and development. In addition to providing essential nutrients, food choices also give your toddler an opportunity to learn new food tastes and textures. A meal plan for a 14-month-old is similar to yours but smaller in size and with some minor modifications to prevent choking.
Dairy Foods
Milk is still a very important part of your 14-month-old's diet, providing calcium and vitamin D for bone health and growth. But by now, she should be drinking whole-fat cow's milk. Toddlers need the fat and cholesterol found in whole-fat cow's milk to support brain development. You should also try offering your child cheese and yogurt to vary her intake while still meeting nutrient needs. A 14-month-old needs about three servings from the milk group each day, with one serving equal to 1/2 cup of milk or yogurt or 1/2 oz. of cheese. It is important to note the serving size of the different foods your toddler needs. Their stomachs are much smaller than yours, and so are their serving sizes.
Grains and Starches
Grains and starches supply your 14-month-old with energy. Offer more whole grains to increase fiber and maximize nutrient intake. Your child needs six servings of grains a day, with one serving equal to one-quarter to one-half of a slice of bread, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cooked pasta or rice, two to three crackers or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cereal. Toddlers can be very picky eaters with varying appetites. Don't get frustrated if your toddler refuses to eat the foods you've offered.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide your 14-month-old with vitamin C, vitamin A and folate, all essential nutrients for growth and development. Your child needs five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, with a serving equal to 1/4 to 1/3 cup of any chopped fruit or vegetable, one-quarter to one-half of a small piece of fruit or 1/4 to 1/3 cup of juice. Be sure to chop any fruits or vegetables into bite-size pieces to prevent choking.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Meat and meat substitutes are a good source of iron and can help your 14-month old meet his needs. Your child needs two servings from this group a day, with one serving equal to 1 to 3 tbsp. of meat, 2 to 4 tbsp. of beans or peas, or one egg. As with fruits and vegetables, meats should be chopped into bite-size pieces to prevent choking.
Fats
Fats are an important source of calories for your toddler and, like milk, are important for brain development. Your 14-month-old needs three to four servings each day with one serving equal to 1 tsp. of margarine, butter or oil.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996
- Cleveland Clinic: Feeding Your Toddler -- Ages 1 to 3
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