It is essential to feed your 1-2 year-old child a diet that is similar to yours while continuing to experiment with different flavors and textures. Early in life, food preferences are created, so assist your child to establish a taste for healthy foods soon with patience.
Some Important Key Notes
- A two-year-old should have three meals and one or two snacks every day.
- Offer the same food as the rest of the family during meals.
- Serve nutrient-dense foods as toddlers have small stomachs and need proper nutrition for growth and strength.
- Toddlers will start experimenting with self-feeding at around 15-18 months of age.
- Encourage self-feeding and assist when needed.
- Offer a variety of healthy foods from all food groups and let the child choose what to eat and how much.
- Avoid screen time during mealtime.
- Serve juice in a cup instead of a bottle.
Unsafe Foods for Toddlers
Sweets and empty calories, such as junk food, should be avoided in your child’s diet.
- Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, juice drinks, sports drinks, and flavored milk, should not be introduced early.
- Junk food, including crisps, cookies, cakes, drinks, and candy, should also be avoided or introduced later in your child’s diet.
- These foods are unhealthy, high in sugar, salt, fat, and chemicals, and take up stomach space that could be filled with healthier foods.
Healthy Eating Basics & Picky Eaters
- Breastmilk remains important for nutrition and illness protection, but other foods become primary sources of nutrition and energy.
- If still hungry, offer other foods first and then breastfeed.
