Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Family and Consumer Sciences

1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210

Food for the Toddler Years

MOB-008-99

Cheryl L. Barber, R.D., L.D.
Fulton County Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences

Some keys to good nutrition for two-to-four year olds (toddlers) include

• consume a variety of foods from the Food Guide Pyramid
• plan menus
• use proper serving sizes
• make meal and snack times enjoyable

The Food Guide Pyramid focuses on

• good nutrition for people ages two and up
• five food groups and a fats and sweets group
• eating a variety of foods
• setting serving sizes

To use the Food Guide Pyramid with your toddler keep the same number of servings from each group, but give smaller than adult-size servings

• 6-11 servings of bread
• 3-5 servings of vegetables
• 2-4 servings of fruit
• 2-3 servings of milk
• 2-3 servings of meat
• fats and sweets used sparingly

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:

• One serving of milk for a two-year-old would be 1/2 cup.
• One serving of cooked carrots for a three-year-old would be 3 tablespoons.
• One serving of ground beef for tacos for a four year old would be 4 tablespoons.
• One serving of bread for a two-year-old would be 1/2 slice.

For times when one food, or group of foods, is the only item a child will eat

• The food may be peanut butter, cereal, bananas, or some other favorite.
• This is normal and the child will grow out of it.
• Often the child is in a resting stage of the growth process.
• The best way to get through this period is to offer the child many foods, providing his or her special food now and then.
• When the child is hungry, he or she will eat, no matter what food is served.

Choices for a healthy future

• Eating should be a good experience.
• Some children do not want to try new foods.
• Try to offer just one new food at a time and do not mix foods.
• Serving one favorite food with one new food often helps a child to try the new food.
• Try to offer fun foods that children can eat with their fingers.
• Let the toddlers help to prepare the foods. Little ones can sprinkle cheese, place raisins on top, spread peanut butter, use cookie cutters to form unique shapes in bread, shake up beverages, and roll up tortillas.

Good food at a young age plays a role later in life, and our children are only toddlers once.

Resources

Christian, J.L. and J.L. Greger. 1994. "Nutrition for Living." The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., Redwood City, CA.

Satter, E. 1987. "How to Get Your Kid to Eat... But Not Too Much." Bull Publishing, Palo Alto, CA.

Reviewed by: Alma M. Saddam, PhD, RD, Extension Specialist, Nutrition.