Dietary Advice for Young Children

Healthy Eating Through Diversity

During the toddler years, growth slows down a little bit, but nutrition remains a top concern. It's also a chance for parents to change course, do away with bottles, and usher in a new period in which children will eat and drink on their own more frequently.

Especially between 12 and 24 months, when they are beginning to eat table food and accepting new tastes and textures, the toddler years are a period of transition. When your kid was an infant, breast milk and formula were ideal, but now that they're toddlers, it's time for them to start getting what they need from a range of foods.

Do They Need A Lot Of Food?

Toddlers require between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day, depending on their age, size, and degree of activity. To get an indication of how much your child should eat and what types of foods would meet the requirements, look at the chart below.

You can use the chart as a guide, but you should also rely on your own judgment and a toddler's cues to determine whether or not they are happy and receiving enough food. Don't worry if you don't hit every target every day because nutrition is all about averages; instead, focus on giving your kid a diet that is rich in a variety of nutrients.

The serving sizes are based on the MyPlate dietary pyramid for children who are typically 2 and 3 years old. The guidelines for children between 12 and 24 months can be used as a reference. However, infant diets are still changing during this year. Younger toddlers might not initially be consuming this much. Discuss your child's particular needs with your doctor.

The greater amount pertains to children who are older, bigger, or more active and require more calories when a range of amounts is given:

Milk Counts

Milks are a crucial component of a toddler's nutrition. It offers calcium and vitamin D to support the development of robust bones. The recommended daily intake for toddlers is 700 mg of calcium and 600 IU (International Units) of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. If children consume the suggested two servings of dairy products daily, this calcium requirement is satisfied. Doctors frequently advise vitamin D supplements because those amounts only contain less than half the recommended amount of vitamin D. If your child requires a vitamin, your doctor will let you know.

Generally speaking, infants between the ages of 12 and 24 months should consume whole milk to help meet their dietary fat requirements for healthy growth and brain development. Ask your doctor if reduced-fat (2%) milk can be given if being overweight or obese is a worry, or if there is a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Most children can transition to low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk after they turn two. You can consult your doctor for advice on what kind of milk to give your young child.

Because cow's milk doesn't taste like their infants' familiar breast milk or formula, some kids may initially refuse it. Mix whole milk with some formula or breast milk if your kid is at least 12 months old and experiencing this problem. Adjust the combination gradually over time until it contains only cow's milk.

Some children can't consume or eat dairy products, don't like milk, or both. Examine additional calcium-containing foods and drinks, such as calcium-fortified soy products, calcium-fortified juices, fortified breads and cereals, cooked dried beans, and leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and bok choy.

Fulfilling Iron Needs

Iron intake for toddlers should be 7 mg per day. Since they no longer consume iron-fortified formula and might not consume enough other iron-containing meals to make up the difference, children older than 12 months are at risk for an iron deficiency.

Iron is scarce in cow's milk. A child who consumes a lot of cow's milk may also be at risk for iron deficiency. Toddlers who consume large amounts of cow's milk may feel less hungry and be less apt to consume foods high in iron. Milk can irritate the lining of the gut, which can lead to minor bleeding and a gradual loss of iron in the stool. These effects reduce the absorption of iron (poop).

A lack of iron can stunt development and cause cognitive and behavioral issues. Additionally, it may cause iron deficiency anemia (too few red blood cells in the body). Red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body, are made possible by iron. The body's tissues and systems receive less oxygen and perform less effectively if there is not enough iron and red blood cells in the system.

To aid in avoiding an iron deficiency:

16–24 ounces of milk maximum per day for your kid (2 to 3 cups).
Serve more meals high in iron (meat, poultry, fish, enriched grains, beans, tofu).
Include foods containing vitamin C (such as tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries) in dishes that are high in iron because these foods help the body absorb iron better.
Serve iron-fortified cereal to your kid until they are 18 to 24 months old.

If you are worried that your child isn't consuming a balanced diet, speak with your doctor. Although iron deficiency anemia in toddlers is frequently tested, you should never give your kid a vitamin or mineral supplement without first talking to your doctor.