When planning and serving meals to your toddler, try to have him/her consume the following on a daily basis. A good rule for serving sizes for toddlers is the following: 1 tablespoon per year of age or 1/4 of an adult serving per year of age.
• 2 to 3 cups of calcium – milk (or yoghurt, cheese or other calcium-rich foods).
• 4 servings of fruits and vegetables. Serving size: one tablespoon per year of age. One serving should be high in vitamin C e.g. orange, watermelon, and another in vitamin A e.g. carrots, courgettes.
• 4 servings of grains – bread and cereal. One should be an iron-fortified baby cereal. A serving is about 1/4 to 1/3 an adult portion (1/4 slice bread, 1/4 cup pasta, 2 small pieces of Ugali).
• 2 servings of proteins – meat, beans, eggs, tofu, or peanut butter. A good serving of protein should be served at every meal. One serving equals 3 tablespoons.
Physical and social/personal characteristics related to eating during toddler-hood
12-18 months
• Grasps and releases food with fingers.
• Holds spoon but poor use.
• Turns spoon in mouth.
• Uses a cup but not perfectly.
• Wants food that others are eating.
• Loves performing.
18-24 months
• Appetite decreases.
• Likes eating with hands.
• Likes experimenting with textures.
• Ritual becomes important.
• Displays food preferences.
• Distracts easily.
• Develops negative behaviour in feeding.
24-36 months
• Holds glass in hand.
• Places spoon straight in the mouth.
• Spills a lot.
• Chews more food, but choking still a hazard.
• Definite likes and dislikes.
• Insists on ‘doing it myself’.
• Ritualistic.
• Food fads – certain foods become favourites for a time and preference for other food.
• Demands food in certain shapes and whole foods.
• Likes to help in the kitchen.
