Feeding Your Baby - Toddler Years • Back to Feeding Your Baby • Appetite Drop • Snacks for Small Stomachs • Feeding Guidelines for Toddlers Appetite Drop Around your child’s first birthday, you will see some big changes! Your helpless baby has grown into a little person, with places to go and things to do. Your toddler has probably tripled in weight by 1 year of age and will double in height by 3 years of age. Be ready for changes in your child’s food habits. As his/her growth slows down, his/her appetite often drops off too. He/she may be less interested in eating which may cause conflict at meals. Never force your child to eat. Also, never bribe your child to eat, and never use food as a punishment or reward. Normal growth and development are good signs that your child is eating enough. A healthy child will not starve if he/she misses a few meals. Remember, it is your responsibility to provide nutritious foods but it is your child’s responsibility to choose when and how much to eat. Iron-fortified baby cereals are recommended for children up to 18 months. To change the taste and texture, add some fruit or yogurt. Manufacturers have introduced a chunkier toddler cereal, still high in iron. This is a good choice for toddlers who don’t like the infant cereals. Toddlers can eat most of the foods that the rest of your family eats. Small, bite-size pieces of food are easiest for toddlers to handle. A new line of commercial toddler dinners is also available. Think of them as convenience foods and use them occasionally. They are costly, low in variety and may have added salt. Also, check the food label for unwanted ingredients. To the top Snacks for Small Stomachs Snacks are an important part of the toddler’s diet. Small stomachs can only hold small amounts of food at mealtimes. Plan snacks that are fun to eat, taste good, nutritious and low in sugar. By one year of age, children should be eating a variety of foods from all four food groups. Milk is no longer enough. Iron-rich foods such as meat, meat alternatives, whole grain products, vegetables, and fruit should be a regular part of your child’s diet. Toddlers can eat about half of an adult food serving. Keep servings small and let your child ask for seconds. Use the guidelines to offer your child a variety of foods from Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Here are some healthy snacks you can try: Cheese cubes, fruit pieces, hard-cooked eggs, crackers, cottage cheese, yogurt, or peanut butter (after 2 years of age). The choices are endless. To the top Feeding Guidelines for Toddlers KIND OF FOOD SERVING SIZES SUGGESTED AMOUNTS MILK PRODUCTS Whole milk* Used as a beverage or in puddings & soups. Plain yogurt Grated cheese, cottage cheese.   ½ cup (125 ml) 1/3 – ¾ cup (75-175g) 1 oz (30g)   4-5 child-size servings every day** *Skim, 1% or 2% milk should not be offered until after 2 years of age. **Toddlers should drink 4-5 servings of milk (2 1/2 cups) every day in order to get enough vitamin D. FRUITS & JUICES Fresh, cooked, stewed or mashed fruit. Fruit Juices* Do not use powdered or canned fruit drinks.   30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp.). 75-124 ml (1/3 – ½ cup)   2 child size servings every day *Limit the amount of fruit juice. Too much juice may cause diarrhea. It can also decrease the appetite for other nutritious foods. VEGETABLES Raw or cooked vegetables, especially dark green & yellow 30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp.) 2 or more child-size servings every day MEAT & ALTERNATIVES Grind, chop or cube lean meats, fish, poultry into small pieces. Whole egg Legumes (peas, beans, lentils) Peanut Butter (after 2 years of age, spread very thinly)   30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp.) 1 egg 30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp.) 15 ml (1/3 cup)   2 or more child size servings every day GRAIN PRODUCTS Whole grain or enriched cereals without sugar coating.* Whole grain or enriched breads Cooked cereals or pasta or rice   75 ml (1/3 cup) ½ slice 75-125 ml (1/3 to ½ cup)   3 or more child-size servings every day *Do not add extra sugar. Sweeten with dried and fresh fruit. OTHER FOODS: Limit foods high in salt, sugar, fat and caffeine such as potato chips, fried foods, candy, chocolate, pop, tea or coffee. These foods have empty calories – lots of calories and very little nutrition. To the top