Use this guide to find out what and how much to feed your child from months 12 to 36. If your child eats more or less than the amounts listed below, no worries, as this is a basic general guide.
Age: 12 to 24 months
Foods Include:
- Whole milk
- Other dairy products (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese)
- Iron-fortified cereals (oats, barley, wheat, mixed cereals)
- Other grains (whole wheat bread, pasta, rice)
- Fruits (melon, papaya, apricot, grapefruit)
- Vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower "trees," cooked until soft)
- Protein (eggs, beans, thinly spread peanut butter, small pieces of meat, poultry, boneless fish, or tofu)
- Juice (100 percent juice, citrus and noncitrus)
- Honey
Daily Intake:
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk, or 1 cup yogurt, or 1 to 1 1/2 ounces cheese
- 3 ounces grains, at least half whole grains (1 ounce = 1 cup cold cereal, 1/2 cup pasta or rice, one slice of bread)
- 1 cup fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned. Cut fresh fruits into very small pieces.)
- 100 percent fruit juice (4 to 6 ounces per day)
- 1 cup vegetables (a variety cut in small pieces and cooked well)
- 2 ounces protein (1 ounce = one slice of sandwich meat, about 1/3 of a chicken breast, 1/4 can of tuna, 1/4 cup cooked dry beans, or one egg)
Age: 24 to 36 months
Foods Include:
- Low-fat milk (It's okay to switch to low-fat or nonfat milk once your child is older than 2, but check with your child's doctor if you have questions.)
- Other dairy products (diced or grated cheese, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding)
- Iron-fortified cereals (oats, barley, wheat, mixed cereals)
- Other grains (whole wheat bread and crackers, bagel pieces, pretzels, ready-to-eat cereal, pasta, rice)
- Fruits (sliced fresh or canned)
- Dried fruit, soaked until soft to prevent choking (apples, apricots, peaches, pears, dates, pitted prunes)
- Vegetables (a variety cut in small pieces and cooked well)
- Protein (eggs, beans, thinly spread peanut butter, small pieces of meat, poultry, boneless fish, or tofu)
- Combo foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles
- 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices (4 to 6 ounces)
Daily Intake:
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk, or 1 cup yogurt, or 1 to 1 1/2 ounces cheese
- 3 ounces grains, at least half whole grains (1 ounce = one slice of bread, 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal, or 1/2 cup of cooked rice, cooked whole wheat pasta, or cooked oatmeal)
- 1 cup fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. Cut fresh fruits into very small pieces.)
- 100 percent fruit juice (4 to 6 ounces)
- 1 cup vegetables (a variety cut in small pieces and cooked well)
- 2 ounces protein (1 ounce = 1/4 cup cooked dry beans or peas, one egg, 1 ounce of meat, poultry, or fish)
What if we're vegetarians?
If you're a vegan or vegetarian, you can still provide your infant or toddler with everything she needs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Academy of Pediatrics agree that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are fine for infants and toddlers. Just pay attention to make sure your child gets plenty of the following nutrients:
- Vitamin B12: Vegetarians can get this nutrient from milk products and eggs. Vegans can use fortified soy beverages, cereals, and meat substitutes.
- Vitamin D: Breastfed babies should get an additional 400 IU per day from fortified cow's milk or soy milk.
- Calcium: Vegan babies may need calcium-fortified foods, beverages, or supplements. Check with your doctor or a dietitian.
- Zinc: This important nutrient helps the immune system and can be found in beans, fortified cereal, milk, and wheat germ.
- Iron: You can find this mineral in iron-fortified cereal or supplements. Serve with foods high in vitamin C – like oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries – to improve iron absorption.
- Protein: Vegetarians can get added protein from yogurt and eggs. Vegans can get plant proteins from beans, cereals, and fortified soy milk.
- Fiber: Good sources of fiber include whole grain breads, fortified cereals and pastas, and high-fat plant foods like sunflower butter and avocados.