What Should a 16-Month-Old Eat?

Amount of Food

• Sixteen-month-olds have small stomachs that fill up quickly. Parents need to ensure that their children are filling up on the right foods. A good way to tell whether a toddler is getting enough nutrient-packed meals is whether they are consistently growing on their growth chart. Foods such as whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables are all important parts of the toddler diet. Particularly vital during this age is the nutrient iron. Parents can feed their children iron-fortified cereal, meat, or beans to avoid an iron deficiency.

Introducing New Foods

• During this time, parents need to be continually introducing their toddler to new foods, according to KidsHealth. Food preferences start early in life, so exposing a child to many new foods in the beginning can help them to have a more varied palate. Cow's milk, for example, is a new taste for toddlers who are used to formula or breast milk. By gradually mixing cow's milk with their usual milk, parents can ease toddlers into this new phase of eating.

Food Allergies

• Introducing new foods can also bring the danger of food allergies. As parents add new foods to the child's diet, they need to watch for signs of an allergic reaction. Symptoms such as an itchy rash, runny nose or wheezing can be indicators of an allergic reaction. Parents should familiarize themselves with the signs of a reaction, particularly if other family members have food allergies.

Gaining Independence

• Another important part of eating during the 16th month is learning to eat independently. At this point, the child might be able to feed himself finger foods. Parents should encourage this behavior because it allows the child to determine when he is full. Toddlers are starting to listen to their own internal cues on how much to eat, and can stop when they are done. Giving the child the option to decide how much of each food to eat helps the child feel a sense of control in his environment.