Health Tip: Reduce Toddler Serving Sizes

Food amounts should be smaller for little ones

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(HealthDay News) -- When sizing a toddler's meal, keep in mind that serving sizes should be smaller for smaller tummies.

The American Dietetic Association mentions these serving size guidelines for toddlers aged 2 to 3:

Toddlers should eat about 3 ounces of grains per day. For example, this works out to about three slices of bread, or one slice of bread plus one-third cup cold cereal and one-forth cup cooked rice or pasta.
One cup of various vegetables per day meets their vegetable needs.
One cup of fruits per day will satisfy their fruit servings.
Toddlers should have about 2 cups of milk per day.
Toddlers should have about 2 ounces of meat or beans per day.
Limit oils to about 3 teaspoons per day.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Aug 15, 2011

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