What to Feed a 1-Year-Old

Pick and Choose

• While your compliant infant may have opened his mouth at every spoon of baby food you put to his lips, the American Academy of Pediatrics -- on its HealthyChildren.org website -- notes that a 1-year-old may suddenly become picky when it comes to what he will eat. As your child becomes more independent, he may turn away from you when you try to feed him a food that doesn't appeal to him or outright refuse to come to the breakfast, lunch or dinner table. Finding the right foods that are nutritious and delicious -- to him -- is essential when feeding a fussy toddler. There's no rule saying that every toddler has to eat a specific food. For example, if your child shows disdain for a certain vegetable -- such as spinach -- try carrots or another healthy food instead.

Food Groups

• Although your 1-year-old may balk at certain foods, the AAP recommends you choose an array of items from the four basic nutrition groups. Every day your child should have meats -- also including fish, poultry or eggs -- dairy, fruits and vegetables and grains. While your infant needs to eat from the same food groups that you do, she certainly doesn't need to eat the same amount of food. According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, a 12-month-old should have 16 to 24 ounces of dairy products, six to 12 tablespoons of grain products such as bread and cereal, six to eight tablespoons of vegetables, six to eight tablespoons of fruits and two tablespoons of meats and proteins per day.

Milk Moustache

• Just because you're transitioning your baby from his bottle to a training or sippy cup doesn't mean you have to forgo milk for "big kid" drinks such as juice. The pediatric professionals at the KidsHealth website note that milk is a key piece your toddler's overall diet. Milk provides essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, which your growing tyke needs to support healthy bone development. Instead of keeping to a liquid feeding schedule -- like the one you relied on when your infant was primarily taking bottles -- switch your toddler to a sippy cup of whole milk with meals.

Cautions and Considerations

• Eating a varied and balanced diet is a must for your 1-year-old, but there are certain foods you should avoid. The experts at KidsHealth warn about foods that pose a choking hazard -- including hot dogs, raw vegetables, hard fruits, popcorn, uncut grapes, nuts and raisins. Additionally, the AAP notes that parents should never allow young toddlers to fill up on empty-calorie foods, such as cookies and other sugary sweets, or high-fat items such as french fries and chips. The pediatrician group recommends aiming for 1,000 calories per day of healthy, nutritious foods. As your child moves from infancy to the toddler years, her growth rate slows somewhat, making the seemingly small 1,000 calories enough to ensure proper development.