The Basics of Toddler Nutrition

Your toddler has been known to go a week eating only white food. You may be wondering if he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Can a kid survive on Cheerios, pasta and bread? Don't worry, over time most kids generally manage to get the right balance of nutrition, even if it sometimes seems as if they subsist on macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets.

Here are the basics of toddler nutrition:

• Depending on your toddler's age, size, and activity level, he'll need between 1,000-1,400 calories a day in his diet.
• Toddlers should be consuming between 3-5 ounces of grain (preferably whole grains)—that's about 3-5 servings of bread, cereal or pasta. Don't get stuck on toddler foods like mac and cheese. Be more adventurous—why not try ravioli?
• Your toddler should be eating 2-3 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. And don't fool yourself into thinking that fruit juice is a substitute for the real thing!
• Two cups of milk a day is all that your toddler needs—if you're nursing, your toddler will be getting nutrients from breast milk as well. Yogurt and cheese are both good sources of calcium.
• Serve your toddler 2-4 ounces of meat, beans, or tofu to ensure he is getting the protein he needs in his diet.

Don't feel as if you have to feed your toddler only toddler food like chicken nuggets and fish sticks. Toddlers can eat just about anything—although there's no guarantee they'll like it!