Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of keeping your toddler healthy. Your toddler needs between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day from nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. These foods will provide your toddler with the nutrients -- including vitamin A -- that he needs for proper bone growth and development. Add certain foods to your little one's diet to help him consume the 1,000 international units of vitamin A he needs each day.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is found in both plant and animal foods. Your toddler needs plenty of vitamin A as part of his daily diet because it supports the health of his eyes. Vitamin A also plays a role in the health of your toddler's immune system by helping his body make white blood cells. Your toddler's respiratory, urinary and intestinal systems also rely on vitamin A for proper function.
Fruits
Fruit is one of the best plant sources of vitamin A. Vitamin A is found in the highest concentration in bright orange and yellow fruits. One cup of cubed cantaloupe contains 5,411 international units of vitamin A. One cup of fresh mango slices contains 1,785 international units. A 1-cup serving of fresh papaya has 1,378 international units of vitamin A. Canned apricots and peaches are additional sources of vitamin A. Though not orange or yellow, watermelon is also a healthy source of vitamin A. Your toddler should not eat more than a 1/4-cup serving of any of these. According to the National Institutes of Health, a safe upper limit of vitamin A for your toddler is 2,000 international units per day.
Vegetables
Bright orange vegetables are a top source of vitamin A. One medium sweet potato provides your toddler with 21,909 international units of vitamin A. A 1/2-cup serving of boiled carrots supplies 13,286 international units of vitamin A, and a 1/2-cup serving of raw carrots contains 9,189 international units. Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, lettuce and broccoli, are also nutritious sources of vitamin A. Peas, bell peppers and tomato juice also supply a healthy dose of vitamin A. Feed your toddler only small portions of these foods, such as one-tenth of a sweet potato or three or four pieces of carrots, to prevent him from taking in too much vitamin A. Too much vitamin A might cause nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness, though this is more common from vitamin A taken in supplement form.
Protein Foods
The vitamin A from animal foods is easily absorbed by your toddler's body and can help him get his recommended daily allowance of this important nutrient. One cup of nonfat milk contains 500 international units of vitamin A. A 1-ounce serving of cheddar cheese supplies 284 international units. One large hard-boiled egg contains 260 international units of vitamin A.
