Suggestions for Healthy Eating
Keep Healthy Foods on Hand
Parents can exert almost complete control over what their toddler or young child eats and drinks. That’s why it’s important that your home is well-stocked with nutritious, kid-friendly foods.
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Serve with every meal and snack to insure your youngster is getting at least 5 servings per day
  • Protein
  • Serve lean meats as well as fish, eggs, beans and nuts
  • Fiber
  • Choose whole grain breads and cereals
  • Snacks
  • In addition to fruits and ready-to-eat vegetables, serve low fat yogurt, peanut butter, and whole grain crackers and cheese
  • Foods to limit or eliminate
  • Fast food and ‘empty calorie’ snacks like chips and candy
  • Soda and fruit flavored high-calorie drinks
Recommended Servings for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
Food Group
What’s a Serving?
Grains -at least 6 servings a day



¼ - ½ slice of bread
2-3 crackers
¼ - 1/3 cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal
¼ - ½ bun, muffin, or bagel
Fruits & Vegetables –at least 5 servings a day

¼ - 1/3 cup cooked, canned, or chopped raw
¼ - ½ small fruit/vegetable
¼ - 1/3 cup juice
Dairy –at least 3 servings a day

½ cup milk or yogurt
½ ounce of cheese
Meat –2 servings a day


1-3 tablespoons lean meat, chicken, fish
2-4 tablespoons dry beans and peas
1 egg

Fats – 3-4 servings a day
1 teaspoon margarine, butter, oils


Source: Cleveland Clinic

Sample Daily Menu Recommendations for Your Toddler or Pre-Schooler

Breakfast
Alternate Breakfast
  • Scrambled egg
  • 1 oz. cheese
  • cup milk

  • ½ cup iron-fortified cereal
  • ¼ banana
  • Applesauce
  • ½ cup milk
Morning Snack
Alternate Morning Snack
  • ½ slice whole wheat toast
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • ½ cup milk
  • *** and/or 3 oz. Pediagro ***
  • ¼ cup Cheerios
  • ¼ cup peas
  • ½ cup milk
  • *** and/or 3 oz. Pediagro ***
Lunch
Alternate Lunch
  • Whole wheat bread with jam
  • 1 oz. cheese
  • ¼ cup broccoli
  • ½ cup milk

  • Casserole dish
  • 2 tbsp beans
  • ¼ cup Cheerios
  • ½ piece fruit
  • ½ cup milk
Afternoon Snack
Alternate Afternoon Snack
  • 4-5 whole grain crackers
  • Cream cheese
  • ½ cup milk
  • *** and/or 3 oz. Pediagro ***
  • ¼ cup Cheerios
  • Peaches
  • ½ cup milk
  • *** and/or 3 oz. Pediagro ***
Dinner
Alternate Dinner
  • Grilled chicken
  • Mashed potatoes
  • ½ cup milk
  • Grilled cheese sandwich
  • Tomato soup
  • ½ cup milk
Bedtime Snack
Bedtime Snack
  • ¼ cup Cheerios
  • 1/8 cup raisins
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ slice toast with butter
  • pear chunks
  • ½ cup milk