Tip of the Day
How Much for Toddler Tummies?
Toddlers and preschoolers are no longer babies, yet aren't ready for adult-sized portions either. Serving adult portions to a child can lead to overeating and too many calories. A few ways to determine the size of your preschooler's or toddler's appetite are:
- Serve your toddler or preschooler smaller helpings than yours. Let your child ask for more if he or she is still hungry. Some experts advise one tablespoon of every food served for every year in age.
- Know and respect your child's hunger and fullness. When he or she starts to play with their food or becomes restless, remove the food. This teaches your child to eat enough, but not too much.
- Don't be a member of the "clean plate" club. This practice can encourage overeating or an aversion to certain foods which could set up a child for weight and/or eating problems later.
For more information on about feeding your preschooler or toddler, consult a registered dietitian in your area and visit our Nutrition for Infants and Toddlers section.
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