Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages
  3. Inspiration
  4. Evergreens

How much should a toddler eat? Probably more than you think

By

When your teeny baby turns into a toddler, a whole new world opens up. Your child finds their voice and starts using their cute little jibber-jabber language. But what’s really exciting is that you can finally introduce them to all kinds of foods. Watching your little one’s face as they try a new food for the first time is adorable.

But switching over to solid foods full-time can be overwhelming since you have to learn a whole new eating schedule. How much should a toddler eat? Can your toddler eat anything now? Is there anything in their diet you have to pay attention to? We can help you with the ins and outs of toddler meals to make sure your tot gets enough to eat.

A mom feeding her toddlers.
Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock

How many times a toddler should eat in a day

  • At least 5 times a day
  • Every 2 to 3 hours
  • Don’t forget the snacks
Recommended Videos

You might feel you are constantly feeding your toddler. You are, and you should be. According to the CDC, a toddler should eat about every 2 hours. Since they have adorable little tummies, there isn’t a lot of food that can fit in there. A toddler’s stomach is the size of one of their fists, so they need to eat often to fill it back up.

Will every toddler follow this pattern? No. If you have more than one child, you’ll find that each toddler is a whole new lesson on eating habits. But if you feel like you just fed your toddler and they are coming back asking for another snack, know that that’s natural. And give them the snack so everyone remains happy.

A young toddler holding up a bow for more food.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Toddlers and food preferences

If this is your first time with a toddler, be mentally prepared. They can go from being picky eaters to eating foods that you would never imagine a toddler wanting to eat. And all within one meal.

Try to keep it fun

  • Experiment with colors
  • Introduce different textures
  • Give one comfort food with a new food

You want to make each meal as much of a rainbow as possible. Not only will that ensure you are giving them a good mix of nutrients, but their little eyes love to see the different colors.

Most toddlers don’t like it when their food touches. We all know those grownups that need the special separating plates at Thanksgiving. Most toddlers are like that all of the time.

When you introduce a new food you’ll need to have patience. Make sure there are other foods on their plate you know they like and only add one new food at a time. It may take a few meals before they actually eat it, so don’t get discouraged.

A toddler with their lunch.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What foods a toddler should eat

Depending on how many teeth your child has at this point, you might need to make sure their diet is mostly soft foods. But that doesn’t mean you have to limit what they can have. As long as they haven’t had any allergic reactions, you are pretty clear to introduce whatever you want. You just might need to cook things a bit longer.

Every day your toddler should eat

  • Variety of dairy – 2 cups
  • Yogurts, soft cheeses
  • Iron-rich grains – 3 ounces
  • Rice, oats, cereals
  • Fruits – 1 cup
  • Vegetables – 1 cup
  • Proteins – 2 ounces
A young toddler eating food and holding a sippy cup.
Maples Images / Shutterstock

Be mindful of food shapes

Toddlers aren’t the best at chewing, so choking hazards need to be kept to a minimum. Even if your toddler has a full mouth of teeth, they may not know how to properly use them. Toddlers can choke on anything and those little throats are smaller than you think.

Make sure to

  • Cut up round foods, like grapes and hotdogs
  • No hard, round food like nuts
  • No hard candy
  • Watch out with sticky, thick foods like marshmallows
A mother feeding her toddler.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Toddlers eating habits can be crazy — just have fun

When it comes to feeding your toddler, there are going to be growing pains. You’ll have to figure out what they will eat, what they won’t eat, and how to sneak veggies into every meal. Toddlers are picky eaters and often will get under your skin. With patience, you can get your little one to love mealtime.

Some extra pointers

  • You set the example
  • Let your child help make meals
  • Get them calm before mealtimes

Make the time to sit down and eat with them. When they see you eating different foods they will be more likely to eat them as well. Have them help make the meals (even if it’s putting stuff on the plates) so they will feel more excited to eat. But you don’t want them too excited so their stomach gets upset. Give them a 5-minute warning so they can mentally prepare to eat.

Make mealtimes fun. Give them their own plates and silverware. Put on some of their favorite music on in the background. Don’t rush the meal. Kids love to take forever to eat, so plan for it. But toddler meals don’t need to be a huge dilemma.

You’re going to navigate this one together, but it can be a happy experience that you and your toddler can enjoy. And think of all of the exercise you’ll get in when you have to grab your kiddo a snack every other hour.

Topics
Is your newborn eating too much? What to know about overfeeding
Cues to watch out for to let you know if you're overfeeding a newborn
Mother holding baby in nursery

Every parent knows the excitement and anxiety that comes when it's time to bring their baby home from the hospital for the first time. Besides the sleep schedule, many new parents may be worried about whether their infant is getting enough to eat. But is going the other direction something parents should also worry about? Is there such a thing as overfeeding a newborn? The short answer is yes. Overfeeding a newborn is a possibility, but it doesn't happen often.

Every newborn has differences in appetite where one might drink a bottle or breastfeed longer than another. Before you stress, don't worry. There are signs to be on the lookout for when it comes to giving your little one too much food. Whether it's your first or third child, if you are concerned about overfeeding your newborn, we have the information you need to know.
Why overfeeding a newborn is something you don't want to do

Read more
Recognizing early autism signs in toddlers: 6 things to know
Which toddler behaviors are quirky and which are red flags for autism?
Toddler boys playing a party game

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that about 1 in every 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. If your child is on the spectrum, the initial diagnosis can be upsetting, but early intervention following a diagnosis is vital. The early signs of autism in toddlers, though, can be easy to overlook. If you have a child you think might be on the spectrum, it's best to know the early signs as your toddler develops.

There is a long list of possible signs as the autism spectrum is wide and diverse. One sign may appear in one child, but not in another. Certain early signs of autism are more common than others, which is why knowing the red flags is important. The earlier a child receives a diagnosis, the better the support system will be for them.
Understanding autism

Read more
Can you use a heating pad while pregnant? Here’s what you should know
Heat pads and pregnancy work together, just follow some precautions
Pregnant woman using heating pad hot water bottle

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with awe and wonder, but it's also painful and uncomfortable. Experiencing all. the changes your body goes through as your baby grows is magical, but it's also kind of a pain. As pregnancy progresses throughout the trimesters, so, too, does the discomfort. From backaches to sore feet and sciatica to insomnia, pregnancy can be very hard on a person's body.
Often, a heating pad can provide some much-needed relief from those pregnancy-induced aches and pains, but many wonder if it's safe to use a heating pads while pregnant. Using heating pads during pregnancy can be an understandable concern.
Despite the relief they may give, many pregnant people are hesitant to use them out of fear the heat they produce may harm their baby. Fortunately, using a heating pad while pregnant can be very safe as long as you do so carefully and take proper precautions.

Why would you need a heating pad?

Read more