How many calories do toddlers need every day?
Toddlers need at least 1,000 calories a day to meet their nutritional needs for growth and energy. The best way to provide your toddler with these much needed calories is to give him three meals and two snacks a day.
What should a toddler eat?Toddlers need food from the same basic food groups as adults do but the serving size should be two-thirds of the adult serving size. Your toddler should eat indicated servings from these recommended food groups every day:
Limit your child’s intake of refined sugar. It can contribute to obesity, tooth decay, and hyperactivity. However, don’t restrict cholesterol and fat in children at this age as both are necessary for normal development.
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What are some common eating problems with toddlers?Toddlers have an unnerving tendency to suddenly become picky eaters even if they had a good appetite as infants. They’re so full of energy and curiosity, it’s often difficult to get them to settle down for a good meal. It’s also difficult to predict a toddler's eating habits from day to day. One day he may eat everything in sight and the next day he may not want to eat much at all. Sometimes for days on end, he might be fixated on one particular food, and then suddenly reject that food without warning!
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How can I help my toddler develop good eating habits?It’s never too early to begin teaching good eating habits.
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