Portion Sizes for Toddlers: How Much Is Enough?
Even if you already have children, you have a big learning curve ahead of you each time a new baby comes into the family.
Even if you've studied up on all the latest research on how to raise a healthy and happy child, your sleep deprivation alone will cause you to forget important information.
There are specific skills and knowledge that you need to get you through the newborn stages, and then another skill set is needed for the rest of the first year.
After that it's so exciting when your little one begins to walk, or 'toddle' their way into their toddler years.
One of the challenges you face when raising a toddler is introducing all sorts of new and wonderful foods to them.
There may be a lot of times when it seems they are barely eating enough to sustain a bird, let alone a body who is constantly on the move! How do you know how much to feed them? Generally toddlers are very good at listening to their hunger and satiety cues.
Sometimes as parents, we don't trust their cues and think "Surely they must be hungry! They haven't eaten in three hours!"This is where the feeding relationship comes in.
Your role as a parent is to buy healthy food, and prepare it in nutritious and creative ways.
Let your child determine how much, and when and if they eat.
Erratic eating habits are normal for little kids - they may eat well one day and practically nothing the next day.
It's much less stressful to look at your child's eating habits on a weekly basis - not daily.
I strongly believe in this type of feeding relationship and definitely use it with my children.
Here are some basic guidelines toddler portion sizes which can be helpful to gauge if the portion you are serving is appropriate for their needs.
These guidelines are generally for daily amounts.
Protein Foods: 2 portions daily
Lastly, here are a few examples of toddler-size meals.
Don't stress!Remember that toddlers are good at listening to their hunger cues.
Consistently offering healthy choices is one of the best things you can do to instill healthy eating habits in your kids.
What will be on your plate today?
Even if you've studied up on all the latest research on how to raise a healthy and happy child, your sleep deprivation alone will cause you to forget important information.
There are specific skills and knowledge that you need to get you through the newborn stages, and then another skill set is needed for the rest of the first year.
After that it's so exciting when your little one begins to walk, or 'toddle' their way into their toddler years.
One of the challenges you face when raising a toddler is introducing all sorts of new and wonderful foods to them.
There may be a lot of times when it seems they are barely eating enough to sustain a bird, let alone a body who is constantly on the move! How do you know how much to feed them? Generally toddlers are very good at listening to their hunger and satiety cues.
Sometimes as parents, we don't trust their cues and think "Surely they must be hungry! They haven't eaten in three hours!"This is where the feeding relationship comes in.
Your role as a parent is to buy healthy food, and prepare it in nutritious and creative ways.
Let your child determine how much, and when and if they eat.
Erratic eating habits are normal for little kids - they may eat well one day and practically nothing the next day.
It's much less stressful to look at your child's eating habits on a weekly basis - not daily.
I strongly believe in this type of feeding relationship and definitely use it with my children.
Here are some basic guidelines toddler portion sizes which can be helpful to gauge if the portion you are serving is appropriate for their needs.
These guidelines are generally for daily amounts.
Protein Foods: 2 portions daily
- One portion equals 1 oz.
of cooked beef, poultry or fish; 1 cooked egg; or 1/4 cup of cooked beans
- One portion equals 1/4-1/2 cup chopped fresh, cooked or canned vegetables
- One portion equals 1/2 cup milk, 1 oz.
cheese, 1/2 cup yogurt
- One portion equals 1/4-1/2 cup chopped fresh, cooked or canned fruit
- One portion equals 1/2-1 slice of bread; 1/4-1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta; 1/2 cup ready-to-eat cereal; 2 small crackers; 1/2 waffle or pancake; 1/2 tortilla, hamburger bun, roll or 3-inch bagel
Lastly, here are a few examples of toddler-size meals.
- Peanut butter spread on 1/2 piece of toast, 1/2 cup canned peaches, 1 boiled egg, 1/4 cup hash browns, 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 oz.
barbeque chicken, 1/2 cup orange slices, 1/2 cup steamed green peas, 1 small sweet potato crescent roll - 1/2 cup Chili, 1 oz.
baked corn chips, 1/2 cup green salad, 1/2 cup grapes - 1 oz.
grilled chicken; 1/4 cup brown rice; 1/2 cup steamed green beans; 1/2 cup grapes, blueberries, strawberries - 1 oz.
chicken nuggets, 1/2 cup green pepper and carrots, 1/2 cup orange slices, 1 multi-grain roll
Don't stress!Remember that toddlers are good at listening to their hunger cues.
Consistently offering healthy choices is one of the best things you can do to instill healthy eating habits in your kids.
What will be on your plate today?
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