We have been working on LA’s eating habits and just getting him to eat period. He’s so busy these days that he doesn’t like to take the time out to eat like we know he should. When we do sit him in the high chair for his meal it’s a battle getting him to stay there for long because he wants to go play instead. I saw some nutritional information on Earth’s Best (also on their Facebook page) that made me think about his eating habits. Because this is a challenge for us, I know if probably is for others as well so I wanted to share this toddler nutrition guide from Earth’s Best.
Toddlers need at least 1,000 calories a day to meet nutritional needs for growth and energy. The best way to provide these much-needed calories is to schedule three meals and two snacks a day.
For necessary calories and nutrients each day serve your toddler these:
- Milk or other calcium-rich food: yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, green leafy vegetables. (2-4 servings)
- Cereal, bread, rice, pasta, noodles (4 or more servings about 1/3 of an adult-sized portion)
- Vitamin C-rich juice (4 oz. daily)
- Vegetables: raw or cooked (2 or more servings)
- Fruit (2 or more servings) — offer at least one citrus fruit daily
- Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nut butters, beans, tofu (2 servings daily, each portion at least 1/2 oz.)
- Iron: Needed to supply a growing blood volume and for proper brain development.
- Fat: Needed for calories, for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and for brain and visual development.
- Zinc: Needed for the metabolic processes of cell division and growth.
- Calcium: More than half of kids get less than the recommended amount.
How are you doing with your toddler and feeding times? Does he/she eat enough or do you battle this like we do?
FTC Disclosure: I am an Earth’s Best ambassador and receive products from them, however, my opinion is 100% my own and not influenced in any way. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.
Ella is such an eater that she will not only eat what I give her, but she always wants more.