toddlers needs for nutrition daily

When planning and serving meals to your toddler, try to have him/or her consume the following on a daily basis:

• 2 to 3 cups of calcium - milk (or yogurt, cheese or other calcium rich foods)

• 4 servings of fruits and vegetables. (Serving size: one tablespoon per year of age.) One serving should be high in vitamin C and another in vitamin A.

• 4 servings of grains - bread and cereal. One should be an iron-fortified baby cereal. A serving is about 1/4 to 1/3 an adult portion (1/4 slice toast, 1/4 cup pasta)

• 2 servings of proteins - meat, beans, eggs, tofu, or peanut butter. A good serving of protein should be served at every meal. One serving equals 1/2 ounce.

What is Considered a Serving Size for a Toddler?  

We find that feeding your Toddler becomes less complicated and frustrating when parents realize what a serving size for a Toddler really is. A good rule for serving sizes for toddlers is the following::

1 tablespoon per year of age or 1/4 of an adult serving per year of age 

At the next meal, use these measurements exactly and see for yourself how little food a Toddler should actually  be eating.  We bet you will be quite surprised

Offer your toddler the opportunity to choose what he wants to eat for 1 or 2 meals during the day.

Allowing your toddler to make his food choices will help teach him about the importance of healthy foods and diets.