How Much Should My Toddler Be Eating

Is your little one now learning to eat more solid foods? Do you want to ensure your growing toddler gets adequate nutrition? If you have been nodding your head along and are keen to know the right quantities of foods your toddler should consume daily, reading this post is a good idea!

A healthy meal plan will provide your toddler all the essential nutrients that he needs for good health, development and growth. It will also ensure your hyperactive toddler has sufficient energy reserves he needs for playing, learning, and performing various daily activities. Read our post to learn how much food should a toddler eat, how to monitor your your toddler balanced diet and feed him right.

What Foods Should Your Toddler Eat?

It is very important to feed your toddlers foods from five main food groups regularly. The important food groups include grains, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, animal and plant protein group, and the healthy fats. Eating a variety of foods from each group will not only ensure a nutrient-rich diet for your toddler but will also help him enjoy different tastes and textures.

You can pick and choose different food options from the various groups while planning your toddler’s meals.

• Grain Group Or Carbohydrate-Rich Foods: Bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and other foods made out of grains.

• Fruits And Vegetables Or Vitamins And Mineral-Rich Foods: Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, apples, cucumber, leafy green vegetables, carrot, and all other nutritious fruits and vegetables.

• Milk Group Or Calcium-Rich Foods: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.   

• Protein Group: Fish, chicken, lean meat, beans, lentils, and peas.

• Fat Group: Oils and butter.

How Much Food Should A Toddler Eat Every Day?

Now you need to decide which foods to offer your little one regularly and in what quantities or how many servings. You should prefer to choose nutritious foods that your toddler likes and also include foods from all the groups in the right quantities in your toddler’s diet. Refer to the following quantities or servings to ensure balanced diet for a toddler.

1. Grain Group:

Here are a few options to choose from:

• 3 slices of bread

• 1 ½ cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal

• 3 cups of ready-to-eat cereal 

2. Fruit And Vegetable Group:

Make sure you provide your toddler any of the following:

• 1 cup of fruit 
• ½ glass of fruit juice
• ½ cup of dried fruits 
• 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables 

3. Milk Group:

Ensure that your toddler’s daily diet includes any of the following:

• 2 cups of milk or yogurt

• 2/3 cup of shredded cheese 

4. Protein Group:

Include any of the following superfoods in your toddler’s meals:

• 2 ounce of chicken, seafood, garnished fish, and healthy meat

• ½ cup of cooked beans, lentils, and peas

• 2 eggs

• 2 Tbsp of peanut butter

• An ounce of nuts or seeds 

5. Fat Group:

Healthy fats are a must-have for your toddler, do choose from the following and add them to his diet as per his taste and preferences:

• Ensure your toddler gets 1000 calories from butter, avocado flesh, margarine, or oils 

• Make sure you don’t offer your dear little one low-fat foods.

Which Foods Your Toddler Should Avoid?

Ensure your toddler eats only small portions of the following foods:

• Foods high in fat and sugar, such as cakes, oily food products, and butter.

• Chocolates and sweets.

• Salty foods, such as wafers, crispy salty and oily foods, and processed food.

• Avoid giving fizzy drinks containing harmful chemicals to your toddler.

Remember, consuming nutritious foods in appropriate quantities and avoiding the consumption of junk foods will help your toddler enjoy good health and immunity.

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Article was originally posted on Momjunction