Feeding Your 2 Year-Old
Feeding your two year-old is not always easy. Here are some ideas that may help.
Meal Times
Give just a little bit of food at each meal. Two-year-olds don’t eat a lot.
You can always give more food if your child wants it.
- Don’t get into fights about food.
- You shouldn’t force your child to eat.
- Don’t give a cookie or other treat to get your child to eat.
- Stay with your child at mealtime.
- Turn off the TV and talk.
Sometimes your child may be too busy to stop and eat. Have a quiet time before meals. How about playing with crayons and paper and then washing hands before meals?
Snacks
Snacks should be like little meals for your 2 year-old. Try cheese and crackers, yogurt and fruit, cereal and milk or half a sandwich and juice. A snack with protein in it lasts longer. Protein foods are foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, chicken, dried beans, peanut butter and eggs. Sometimes grandparents and older sisters and brothers like to spoil a young child with sweets and soft drinks. Make some rules and stick with them.
Helpful Hints
- Give praise that makes your child feel successful at eating. Your child is learning that he or she is worth something. This is very important.
- Start teaching good habits such as eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Brush teeth or at least rinse with water after meals.
- Buy lowfat milk or skim milk after the second birthday, unless your child needs the extra calories of whole milk. When your child is thirsty, offer water.
- Be patient and give a lot of love to your child. Feeding will get a lot easier as your child gets older.
| Food |
Daily Servings |
Serving Sizes |
Bread, Cereal,
Rice, and Pasta |
7 |
1/2 Slice or 1/4 Cup |
| Fruit |
3 |
1/4 Cup Cooked; 1/2 Cup Raw |
| Vegetables |
3 |
1/4 Cup Cooked: 1/2 Cup Raw |
Milk, Yogurt
and Cheese |
5 |
1/2 Cup; 3/4 Ounce Cheese |
Meat, Poultry,
Fish, and Dry Beans |
2 |
1 Tablespoon; 1 Egg;
1/2 Cup Cooked Beans and Eggs |
This page last updated on 03/08/07.