When planning your child's menu, remember that cholesterol and other fats are very important for his or her normal growth and development, so they should not be restricted during this period. If you keep your child's caloric intake at about 1,000 calories a day, you shouldn't have to worry about overfeeding and putting him or her at risk of gaining too much weight.
See the following sample menu ideas for a one-year-old.
Note: These menu ideas are intended for a one-year-old child who weighs approximately 21 pounds (9.5 kg).
1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon (5 mL)
1 tablespoon = ½ ounce (15 mL)
1 cup = 8 ounces (240 mL)
1 oz = 30 mL
Breakfast
- ½ cup iron- fortified breakfast cereal or 1 cooked egg
- ¼ –½ cup whole milk (with cereal or without)
Fruit can be added to cereal or on its own - ½ banana, sliced
- 2–3 large sliced strawberries
Snack
- 1 slice toast or whole wheat muffin with 1–2 tablespoons cream cheese or peanut butter, or yogurt with cut-up fruit
- ½ cup whole milk
Lunch
- ½ sandwich sliced turkey or chicken, tuna, egg salad, or peanut butter
- ½ cup cooked green vegetables
- ½ cup whole milk
Snack
- 1–2 ounces cubed or string cheese, or 2–3 tablespoons fruit or berries
- 1 cup whole milk
Dinner
- 2–3 ounces cooked meat, ground or diced
- ½ cup cooked yellow or orange vegetables
- ½ cup pasta, rice, or potato
- ½ cup whole milk
Additional Information on HealthyChildren.org: