Learning About Feeding Your Toddler

By age 2 or 3, your toddler may prefer certain foods and dislike others. Toddlers may have a lot of variation in how hungry they are each day. Giving your toddler new foods to try can encourage a love of variety, texture, and taste. Exploring new foods is a skill that takes time and practice to learn.

Ways to help your toddler with healthy eating

Serve healthy foods and drinks.

• Offer lots of vegetables and fruits every day.

• Provide healthy snacks that your toddler likes.

• Offer water when your toddler is thirsty.

Prepare for meals and snacks.

• Have a snack and meal routine. Try 3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks a day.

• Trust your toddler's eating. It's okay if they eat a lot at one meal and not much at the next.

• Let your toddler help in the kitchen as soon as they show interest.

Help your toddler try new foods.

• Give foods in small portions. Offer 1 or 2 spoonfuls to start.

• Eat with your toddler. Serve them the same healthy foods you eat.

Practice healthy eating habits together.

• Be a role model. Let your toddler see you eat healthy foods.

• Try not to use food as a reward.

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

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