Parents often wonder how much their little ones should be eating.
We all know that serving sizes are becoming larger and larger, contributing to childhood and adult obesity. However, toddlers don’t need super-sized portions.
The average 1-2 year old needs the following:
Milk/Dairy Servings: 16-20 ounces of milk per day. Whole milk, soy or rice milk are recommended. Other equivalents: 1/2-3/4 ounce of cheese = 4 ounces of milk. 1/4 cup of yogurt = 2 ounces of milk.
Fruit and Veggie Servings: 5 or more per day. Serving size: 1-2 tablespoons. Pureed, mashed or cubed.
Grain Servings: 3-4 per day. Serving sizes: 1/2 slice of bread, 1/4 cup of cooked cereal, 1/4 cup of dry cereal. 1/4 cup of pasta, 2-3 saltine crackers or 1/2 tortilla.
Non-dairy Protein (meat, fish, beans, eggs) Servings: 2 per day. Serving sizes: 1/2 egg, 2-3 tablespoons beans (i.e. black, pinto, edamame, etc.), 1 tablespoon peanut butter or 1 ounce of fish, lean beef, pork or chicken.
