It’s not always easy to know how much your toddler should be eating. Each toddler is different and will have different needs, but this guide should provide you with a good basis of what you need to know.
Disclaimer
The information provided here is not meant to replace your child’s pediatrician’s advice. If you have any concerns about your child’s health or eating habits, please contact a doctor.
Is Your Child Getting Enough to Eat?
I know a lot of mothers who worry that their toddlers are not eating as much as they did when they were infant’s, and there is a simple explanation as to why: they are not growing as quickly. At this age, children have lower caloric needs and thus have smaller appetites. If your child is growing and developing at a normal rate, it is safe to assume that they are receiving the proper amount of food. That being said, let’s take a look at what a typical diet for a toddler might look like.
Learning Self-Feeding
Toddlers can begin learning how to use a spoon at 12 to 18 months of age. Keep in mind that this age often results in messy meal times, but it is important for your child’s development to be allowed to practice these skills. Use a bib and placemats to make clean up easier. You may also want to invest in a plastic mat to put under your child’s seat to catch any fallen foods.
Caloric Needs
Toddlers need about 1300 calories each day. When serving your toddler meals, a good rule of thumb is to serve about ¼ the amount of food that you would serve yourself.
Whole milk: Your toddler should be consuming between 300 and 455 calories from whole milk (or 16-24 ounces per day). Provide whole milk, as toddlers under 2 need it for healthy brain development.
Juice: Your toddler should be consuming 60-90 calories of juice each day. This is about 4 to 6 ounces. If you are providing them with more than this, your toddler may not want to eat since they are becoming full from their consumption of juice.
Foods: Your toddler needs between 550 and 950 calories from the foods he or she eats each day. According to the Kids’ Food Pyramid, toddlers should be consuming 6 servings of grains, 3 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of fruits, 2 servings from the dairy group, and 2 servings from the protein group each day. Limit the amount of sweets and junk food that you give to your toddler.
Child Nutrition
Nutrition advice for children birth through adolescence.