Practical Advice
Here’s a helpful guide showing you the five food groups
Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
- Offer at each meal and at some snacks
- Choose whole grain often
½ -1 slice whole grain or white breads, muffin, roll or pancake
3-6 heaped Tbs whole grain or fortified breakfast cereals without a sugar coating. No need to add extra sugar – sweeten naturally with dried or fresh fruit
5-8 Tbs of hot cereals like porridge made up with milk
2-5 Tbs of rice or 1-3 heaped Tbs of pasta
½ -1½ egg sized potatoes or 1-3 Tbs of mashed potato
½ -2 crispbreads or 1-3 crackers
Fruit and vegetables
- Offer at each meal and at some snacks
¼ - ½ apple, orange, pear or banana
3-10 small berries or grapes
2-4 Tbs raw, freshly cooked, stewed or mashed fruit
1-3 Tbs raw or cooked vegetables, especially dark green, orange and yellow ones
Milk, cheese and yogurt
- 3 toddler portions per day
- No bottles of milk
3-4 oz (100-120 ml) whole cows' milk as a drink
1 small pot (125 ml) yogurt or fromage frais
2–4 Tbs grated cheese
Cheese in a sandwich or on a piece of pizza
3–6 Tbs custard or a milk pudding
Give whole milk rather than lower fat milks from 12 months of age until at least 2 years of age
Meat, fish, eggs, nuts and pulses
- 2 to 3 toddler portions per day
2-4 Tbs ground, chopped or cubed lean meats, fish or poultry
½ -1 whole egg
2-4 Tbs whole or mashed pulses (peas, beans, lentils, hummus, dahl)
½ – 1 Tbs peanut butter or 1-2 Tbs ground or chopped nuts
Food and drinks high in fat and sugar
- Only include very small amounts
1 digestive biscuit or 1–2 small biscuits
1 small slice cake
1 Tsp butter, mayonnaise or oil
1 Tsp jam, honey or sugar
3–4 crisps or sweets
1 small fun-sized chocolate bar
Tbs = Tablespoons
Tsp = Teaspoons
Real Mums, Real Dads
We've spoken to hundreds
of parents about feeding
toddlers. We
understand the
pressures you face -
read how other
parents like you give
their toddlers
the nutrition they
need.
Tot It Up
Tot It Up is an easy to use calculator that provides you with a personalised analysis of your toddler’s diet.
