Toddler Nutrition Facts
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Feeding a tiny child is not as easy as you might think. But take heart! There are definitely ways to ensure your tot is getting the nutrition he needs.
How many calories do toddlers need each day?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP), toddlers need at least 1,000 calories a day to meet their nutritional needs for growth and energy. The best way to provide your child with these much needed calories is to give her three meals and two snacks a day.
What should a toddler eat?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture toddlers need foods from the same for basic food groups as adults do, but the serving sizes should be two- thirds of the adult serving size. According to the Ohio State Agricultural Extension, a good rule for serving sizes for toddlers is 1 tablespoon per year of age or 1/4 of an adult serving per year of age. For example, a serving of milk for a 2-year-old would be 1/2 cup, a serving of cooked carrots for a 3-year-old would be 3 tablespoons, a serving of ground beef for tacos for a 4-year- old would be 4 tablespoons. Your toddler should eat indicated servings from these food groups every day:
- Meat, fish, poultry, eggs (two to three servings)
- Dairy products (three servings equivalent to two cups of milk each day)
- Fruits and vegetables (three servings each)
- Cereal grains, potatoes, rice, breads, pasta (six servings)
Limit your child's intake of refined sugar. It can contribute to obesity, tooth decay, and overactivity. However, don't restrict cholesterol and fat in children this age as both are needed for normal development says the AAP.
What are some common toddler eating problems?
Toddlers have an unnerving tendency to suddenly become picky eaters even if they had a good appetite as infants. Also, because they're so full of energy and curiosity, it's often difficult to get them to settle down for a good meal. It's also difficult to predict a toddler's eating habits from day to day. One day he may eat everything in sight, but the next day he may not want to eat much at all. Sometimes for days on end he'll seem fixated on one particular food, and then suddenly reject that food without warning!
How can I help my tot develop good eating habits?
It's never too early to begin teaching good eating habits.
- Encourage your child to try new foods.
- Model a balanced diet by consuming healthy foods and limiting sweets, salty snacks, and soft drinks yourself.
- Keep regular mealtimes to prevent your child from relying on erratic snacks to curb hunger.
- Sit and eat together as a family, focusing on each other instead of on television shows and other distractions.
- Don't allow your child to bring toys to the table.
- Don't serve heavily spiced foods. Most children don't like very spicy food. Your child may reject a particular food entirely in the future if he has a bad taste experience because he tasted it heavily spiced.
- Avoid serving foods that are very heavily salted, buttered, or sugared so that your child doesn't develop an unhealthy taste for such food.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Reviewed 2/02 by Jane Forester, MD
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
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