How Much Should A Toddler Eat?
A lot of new parents don’t know how much or how little they should feed their toddlers. While there are general guidelines about a toddler’s eating habits, the appetite of one toddler is different from another. There is no reason to worry if your child doesn’t eat enough compared to other children. This is because children make up for a missed meal or a small meal in the next mealtime. As long as you observe that your child is growing and has plenty of energy, he is most probably healthy. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s growth or his eating habits.
What if My Child is a Picky Eater?
If your child is picking nutritious food, then it is safe to let him choose what he wants to eat. Take note that children have a tendency to eat a certain food for a while and then grow weary of it. Also, try to let your child discover new food so he will develop his palate. Experts recommend that parents prepare special meals for picky eaters and ensure that they’re getting a balanced diet.
For example, if beef stew will be served for dinner, there is a chance that the child will only eat the carrots and potatoes. Cooking a separate meal of vegetables will help your child eat a balanced diet. In addition, you may want to list the child’s favorite foods. In doing this, you can prepare meals with other nutrients to keep your child healthy. Always set a good example to your child. If he sees you eating a variety of foods, he will likely follow this tendency.
Entice Your Child to Eat
Getting a child to eat is not as difficult as it sounds. Offer your child food that is both delicious and attractive. It should be served in the right amount. A general guide is to offer 1 tablespoon of each food for every year of the child’s age. If the child remains hungry afterward, let him eat more but don’t force your child to eat more than he can. There’s no growth hormone quite like healthy food.
Great article, and great advice!
Great post. My youngest who turned one in December has turned into Mr. Picky over the last couple weeks. He was the BEST eater ever before. He’d only refused avocado and cottage cheese before…everything else, broccoli included, he would eat like it was the best thing he’d ever had.
Somehow, a couple weeks ago all that changed. I can’t figure it out at all except that he’s a bonafide toddler now. It kinda seems that he only wants to eat things that he can feed himself, so I’m currently trying to cook up some veggies to cut into cubes and see if he’ll eat those.
Hmmm.. my little one eats everything.. I just hope that someday when he’ll grow up, there will be no such changes when it comes to food.
Great Post fafa Pasti 🙂
Great Info! My son is the worst, if he eats anything I am happy! We go to the dr. for his 2 yr. checkup in a few weeks. Hopefully he has more suggestions too!
My 4 year old boy wont eat anything but fish crackers, cereal, and anything from mcdonalds. He flips out when we try to give him anything else. What do I do?
Hi,my grandaughter is 21/2 years old and does not eat. She likes yogurt and no. 2 mac & cheese. That it!! my daughter gives her instant choc. breakfast drinks through out the day. How can we get her to eat table food. She screams and cries when we try to give her any other food. HELP!!