Ever wonder what foods—and how much—to feed your toddler? We've included sample meal plans for an average-sized one-, two-, and three-year-old. Remember that these are just guidelines. Every child is different, and you may find that your child eats more or less than this on any day. What's important is that you provide a variety of healthy foods at meals and snacks and let your little one choose which, and how much, of those foods to eat.
Sample Meal Plan for a One-Year-Old
Breakfast
- 1/2 cup iron-fortified baby cereal
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 banana, chopped
- 2 large strawberries, sliced
Morning Snack
- 1 slice whole wheat toast thinly spread with 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Lunch
- 1/2 sandwich: 1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 ounce turkey slice
- 1/2 cup soft-cooked green beans, chopped
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Afternoon Snack
- 2 tablespoons chopped, peeled, ripe peaches
- 1 cup whole milk
Dinner
- 2 ounces chopped, cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped, soft-cooked yellow squash
- 1/2 cup well-cooked (soft) pasta
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Sample Meal Plan for a Two-Year-Old
Breakfast
- 1/2 slice whole wheat toast spread with 1/2 teaspoon butter
- 1 scrambled egg
- 1/3 cup chopped strawberries
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
Morning Snack
- 4 whole grain crackers with 1/2-ounce cheese
- 1/2 cup water
Lunch
- 1/2 sandwich: 1 slice whole wheat bread, 1 ounce turkey, 1/2-ounce slice of cheese, and a thin slice of tomato
- 3 carrot sticks, cut up
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
Afternoon Snack
- 1/2 orange, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
Dinner
- 2 ounces cooked chicken, chopped
- 1/3 cup mashed sweet potato
- 2 tablespoons peas, mashed
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
Sample Meal Plan for a Three-Year-Old
Breakfast
- 1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
- 1/2 cup whole grain cereal
- 1/2 cup chopped, ripe cantaloupe
Morning Snack
- 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
Lunch
- 1 sandwich: 2 slices whole wheat bread, 1 ounce thinly sliced ham, 1/2-ounce slice of cheese, and a lettuce leaf
- 1/4 cup cooked peas, smashed
- 1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
Afternoon Snack
- 1 slice whole wheat bread thinly spread with 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
Dinner
- 1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
- 2 ounces cooked ground beef
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup soft-cooked broccoli, chopped
Sources:
RD's recommendations; Reference document created by Publix registered dietitians based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Publix Baby Health & Wellness Recommendations. Supplied on 5/19/16.
"Nutrition Guide for Toddlers." KidsHealth. November 2014.
"Serving Sizes for Toddlers." HealthyChildren.org. March 7, 2016.
"Sample One-Day Menu for a Two-Year Old." HealthyChildren.org. December 21, 2015.
Looking for other ways to help your little one get needed nutrients? Choosing foods in a variety of colors can help.
This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or a guarantee of prevention, improvement, or treatment of specific conditions. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific medical questions or concerns.