A 1-year-old baby requires approximately 1,000 calories per day in order to meet her nutritional needs for proper growth and energy, explains HealthyChildren.org, a website published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Don't be alarmed if your baby seems to lose interest in food around this age. She may not have a particularly hearty appetite because the rate of growth of the previous 12 months has slowed; her body simply doesn't need as much food.
Considerations
The dietary needs of a 1-year-old child are essentially the same as an adults. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cereal grains, bread, rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables and dairy items provide essential vitamins and minerals at 12 months.
Three small meals and two snacks per day is ideal for a tot embarking on the second year of life, although it may unrealistic since eating habits at this age can be anything but predictable. Even though a baby this age may lose interest in food, she can turn around the next day and seem to have an insatiable appetite.
Nutrition Basics
Once a baby celebrates his first birthday its time to replace breast milk or formula with regular milk. A 1-year-old child should stick with whole milk rather than low-fat varieties because the additional fat calories will help ensure adequate growth and development, notes Medline Plus, a website published by the National Institutes of Health. Whole milk can also cause low blood counts. Small amounts of cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt are options for a 1-year-old.
Sample Menu
Breakfast for a 12-month old might include 1 cooked egg or a half-cup of iron-fortified cereal. Top cereal with a couple of strawberries or 1/2 sliced banana. A quarter to 1/2 cup whole milk rounds out a nutritionally-balanced breakfast. Tuna, peanut butter or egg salad are healthy meal options. Serve half of a sandwich with 1/2 cup cooked green vegetables and 1/2 cup of whole milk.
Precautions
A 1-year-old isn't normally able to chew his food with a grinding motion; it's important to cut your baby's food into portions small enough to not block his airway, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics. Cut peanuts, grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters. Hot dogs and carrots should be sliced into fours lengthwise and then cut into small pieces. Adult supervision is important when a 1-year-old child is eating.
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