Toddler Food Guidelines

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Medical Author: John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Newborn babies are expected to double their birth weight by 4-6 months of age and triple their birth weight by their first birthday. As an example, a 7-pound newborn will weigh about 21 pounds by 12 months of age. If this pace were to continue, a 2-year-old child would weigh approximately 60 pounds! It is obvious that the infant/toddler's rate of growth progressively slows. The need for fewer calories is coupled with a progressively more mobile and active individual who "burns up" more calories than the sedentary infant who spends large blocks of their day asleep. Toddlers have advanced from passively ingesting pure liquid nutrition (breast milk or formula) to self-feeding of table foods. This independence may be a double-edged sword from a parent's point of view -- self-feeding vs. "playing" with food. Toddlers enjoy exploration, whether it is at the park or investigating various tastes and textures of foods and enjoying gravity (dropping food to the floor). It is not unreasonable, therefore, that being "trapped" in the high chair with the expectation to happily eat all food types may lead to frustration for everyone!

What should my toddler be eating?

A healthy diet contains four basic elements: carbohydrates, protein, fat, and minerals (for example, iron and calcium) and vitamins. The USDA has recently revised the food pyramid to reflect the most current consensus regarding infant, child, and adult nutrition (http://www.mypyramid.gov). Carbohydrate sources include grains, vegetables, and fruits. Protein sources include meats (beef, pork, poultry, and fish), tofu and lentils, eggs, and milk/dairy products. While fats are important for general health (especially for brain and nervous system development for children < 2 years of age), an emphasis on monounsaturated fats is recommended. Similarly, excessive intake of saturated fats and trans fats should be avoided.

How do I ensure that my toddler is getting enough vitamins and minerals?

Parents must accept a fundamental point. Their job is to provide a healthy diet and lead by example. Their child's job is to eat when hungry. If a toddler is not hungry or believes he can "hold out" and get treats, he will refuse to eat. The good news is that no child will let himself go hungry, much less "starve." Toddlers are in a continuous battle for independence,  whether it is mastering language and motor skills or determining what will enter their mouth. Being very observant, they quickly realize that eating is the only facet of their daily activities over which they have 100% control -- and they will not surrender that control to anyone! Pediatric registered dieticians suggest evaluating your child's nutritional intake on a weekly (not daily) basis. Several long-term studies have demonstrated that, when offered a quality diet, toddlers will consume appropriate portions of the foods necessary for good health. A major advertising campaign for the toddler food dollar exists -- takeout/fast food intake has been rising steadily over the recent years. Madison Avenue marketing has been a success. A 2-year-old child can identify 20 logos, many of which are food related: golden arches, fried chicken buckets, and others constantly shower children with enticements of fun foods and games and are often co-marketed with the latest movie. At the end of the day, if a parent is concerned their child isn't getting enough vitamins and minerals, taking a daily multivitamin is a reasonable option. Such a supplement does not, however, provide the necessary carbohydrates, protein, or fats necessary for a healthy child.