2 years baby food menu
Sample Daily Toddler Meal Plan (And Feeding Schedules)
Deciding what to feed your toddler every day can be a challenge so these sample toddler meal plans, feeding schedules, and information on what and when to feed, should help eliminate some of the confusion.
Toddler Meal Plan
To give you examples of what a toddler might eat in a day, I have 5 sample toddler meal plans from my own real life when my middle kiddo was 2 years old. These days represent average days and will show how an appetite might fluctuate and the diversity of foods that we can be offering to our toddlers.
What should toddlers eat?
Each day, toddlers should have a mix of:
- Protein from dairy, nuts/legumes (in forms that are safe for their age), meat, poultry, and fish.
- Complex carbohydrates from whole grains and produce including sweet potatoes and squash.
- Healthy fats such as avocado, flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed, egg yolks, and nuts and seeds.
- Produce including fruits and veggies.
Toddlers also need iron-rich foods and fiber-rich foods, which they’ll naturally get if they eat from a mix of categories above. It’s also a good idea to aim to serve them a wide range of foods to ensure that they’re getting the nutrition they need to grow—and to help avoid falling into a rut of picky eating.
This may sound overwhelming, but really, if you aim for 1-2 food groups minimum at most meals and vary what you serve throughout the week, you don’t need to spend time tracking food groups or counting grams, promise.
TIP: Get a printable Toddler Daily Nutrition Chart here.
How many meals a day should a toddler have?
Most toddlers will do well with three main meals and two smaller snacks a day. Tune in to your toddler though because they may prefer a snack first thing, then breakfast later in the morning at what is typically morning snack time. Many toddlers are also hungry for a dinner-size meal at 4 pm and would be satisfied with a smaller snack closer to bedtime.
You can adjust as needed.
TIP: It can help to think of all of the food your child eats in one day as “mini meals” and to serve the same sorts of foods at each meal—instead of saving “snack” foods for just snack times. That can improve your kiddo’s disposition at all meals!
How much time should I allow between toddler meals?
Depending on the age of your toddler, and their activity level, whether they have a cold, and what you’re up to, etc, you can aim for 2-3 hours between meals and snacks. That window of time will give them plenty of time to work up an appetite, which can help them be more interested in eating what you serve them.
Having set meal and snack times is a good routine to aim for since it can set a cadence to your day and help your toddler know what to expect. (I.E., try not to allow grazing on snacks all day since that is the fastest way to ruin an appetite for an actual meal!)
TIP: Learn what to do when your toddler won’t eat here.
Toddler Feeding Schedule
Here’s a look at three sample options for toddler feeding schedules that might work for your toddler. These are not set in stone because I realize that everyone has a different daily schedule but are meant to be examples for you to consider and adjust.
- 7 am: Breakfast
- 9:30 am: Morning Snack
- 12 pm: Lunch
- (1 pm nap)
- 3 pm: Afternoon Snack
- 5:30 pm: Dinner
OR
- 6 am: Breakfast
- 9 am: Morning Snack
- 11:30 am: Lunch
- (12 pm nap)
- 2:30 pm: Afternoon Snack
- 5:30: Fruits and/or Veggies while waiting for dinner
- 6 pm: Dinner
1 Year Old Feeding Schedule
For a one year old who’s still taking two naps a day and having bottles or breastfeeding, here’s a look at what their schedule might be. (For more info on how to wean a toddler and gradually drop bottles or breastfeeding (if you want to), this post has all of the weaning info you might need.
)
- 6 am bottle or breastfeeding
- 7 am: Breakfast
- 9 am: Morning Snack
- (9:30 am nap)
- 10:30 am bottle or breastfeeding
- 11:30 am: Lunch
- (1 pm nap)
- 2:30 bottle or breastfeeding
- 3:30 pm: Afternoon Snack
- 5:30 pm: Dinner
- 6:30: bottle or breastfeeding
- (7pm bedtime)
TIP: Find out more about 1 Year Old Feeding Schedules here.
Toddler Meal Plan for 2 Year Old
Here’s a look at a few sample toddler meal plans from real life with my two year old. This first was a weekend day and we typically go lighter on snacks to help our toddler have an appetite for her meals. She ate a solid breakfast this day so the banana was all she needed for her morning snack.
- Breakfast: Applesauce Waffles, applesauce, nut butter
- Morning Snack: Banana, water
- Lunch: Spinach Pesto Pasta with Peas, grapes, fruit leather, milk
- Afternoon Snack: Cherry tomatoes, raisins
- Dinner: ½ Cheesy Meat Bun, broccoli, milk
Sample Toddler Meal Plan Day Two
This toddler menu was another sample day in our life.
On this day, my two year old ate more substantial snacks and didn’t eat all of her main meals, as sometimes happens.
- Breakfast: Breakfast Cookie, reusable pouch with plain whole milk yogurt
- Morning Snack: Cheese stick, clementine
- Lunch: Butternut Squash Apple Soup, Veggie Straws, fresh snap peas with ranch (she didn’t eat all of this and mostly ignored the soup!)
- Afternoon Snack: Joe’s O’s, kiwi, milk
- Dinner: Taco filling with ground beef, peppers, beans, and corn; cheese quesadilla (she mostly ate the quesadilla in this meal)
Sample Toddler Meal Plan Day Three
I love to make a batch of muffins on the weekend to have on hand for easy weekday breakfasts—and the Banana Oatmeal Muffins are always a hit with my kids.
- Breakfast: Banana Oatmeal Muffin, cantaloupe, milk
- Morning Snack: Sauteed Cinnamon Apples
- Lunch: Bean and Cheese Quesadilla, corn, Roasted Zucchini, Strawberry Applesauce
- Afternoon Snack: Cheese Crackers
- Dinner: Teriyaki Shrimp with Zucchini and rice
Sample Meal Plan Day Four
This may or may not be the right amount of food for your child, so adjust what you serve based on their typical hunger patterns and allow more food if they let you know they’re still hungry.
- Breakfast: Spinach Pancakes, pineapple, peanut butter
- Am Snack: Siggi’s 2% yogurt, cucumbers
- Lunch: Sweet Potato Grilled Cheese, peppers, freeze-dried strawberries, chocolate chip cookies
- PM Snack: Cheese stick and clementine
- Dinner: Egg Muffins with veggies, salsa, applesauce, Triscuits
Sample Meal Plan Day Five
We do oatmeal at least twice a week and I’ve found that having it in a regular cadence each week increases the likelihood that my toddler will be happy to eat it.
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries
- Am Snack: Banana
- Lunch: Carrot Cake Muffins, Roasted Carrot Fries, cottage cheese, grapes
- PM Snack: Cottage cheese, raspberries, graham crackers
- Dinner: Baked Chicken Tenders, Cheesy Rice with Carrots, watermelon
TIP: My kiddo was on a cottage cheese kick on this day, hence having it twice.
How do I know if my toddler is eating enough?
If your toddler is healthy and is energetic, is meeting milestones and is gaining weight, you can trust them to eat as much as they need for their hunger assuming there are no medical issues at play.
(If there are medical concerns, always check in with your pediatrician.)
To help them do this, try to:
- Limit distractions at the table, turning off screens so they can focus on their food.
- Sit with them while they eat so they start to learn table manners and can mimic what they see you doing.
- Don’t pressure them to eat more than they seem to want.
- Read up on the Division of Responsibility in Feeding to avoid power struggles.
- Set meal times and decide what to feed at each meal.
- Let the kids decide what of the food to eat and how much.
- Aim to serve a variety of healthy foods throughout the week.
- Remember that just because a toddler refuses a food doesn’t mean that they don’t like it.
- Keep foods you want them to eat in regular rotation so they’re familiar.
- Serve small portions to avoid overwhelming the kids.
- Be patient, they’re still learning!
- Remember that appetites naturally fluctuate and that is not a cause for concern.
TIP: Learn more about normal picky eating in toddlers.
There’s No Such Thing As a Perfect Toddler Diet
And most of all, take images of meals that other kids are eating with a grain of salt. No two kids are the same, no two families are the same. There is not one perfect way to feed a toddler, but I hope that seeing some examples do help!
Click here for a printable Daily Toddler Nutrition Guide.
I’d love to know how you approach toddler meals and timing in your house, so please comment below to share!
2 Year Old Food Chart, Food Menu & Meal Ideas -
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A 2 year old food chart, food menu, sample meal plan with meal ideas and healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, created following American Academy of Dietetics Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.
- 2 Year old food & meals
- Food chart for 2 year old baby
- Food menu for 2 year old baby
- 2 year old meal plan with meal ideas
- Breakfast ideas for a 2 year old
- Dinner and lunch ideas for 2 year old
- Snacks for 2 year olds
- Feeding tips
- More toddler recipes
- Comments
2 Year old food & meals
At 2 years old your child should be eating 3 main meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 1-2 snacks.
The amount they eat will be dependent on their weight, height, sex and physical activity.
It is your choice what you serve but it should be their choice if they want to eat it.
Encourage eating with cutlery and drinking from an open cup.
Toddlers at this age can eat almost any food (other than coffee and alcohol of course) but we would still want to avoid:
- Low-fat milk and dairy products – cause excessive intake of protein and low intake of essential fats
- Excessive salt – kidneys not sufficiently developed
- Fruit juices and soda – high sugar content
- Unpasteurized products – can contain dangerous bacteria
- Smoked & cured meats / processed food – excessive salt intake
- High mercury fish (fresh tuna, halibut, grouper, shark) – excessive intake of mercury
- Chocolate, especially dark – high caffeine content
Food chart for 2 year old baby
The food chart, food menu and meal plan with meal ideas are based on average recommendations per age per FAO/WHO/UNU Energy Requirements and the American Academy of Dietetics Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.
But please adapt the quantities to your own child!
Download FREE PDF version of the 2-4 Year Old Toddler Food Chart.
We have made a "Build you own food menu" infographic and a "Made for you 2 year old toddler meal plan" so you can easily make your own or get ideas from the one we created.
A few points to consider when it comes to feeding toddlers:
- Adapt the order of the meals to your family's eating habits if it doesn't fit for you already
- Try to keep a consistent schedule to provide your toddler with a sense of order in their day
- Every attempt should be made to ensure that all food groups are included in the daily toddler food plan
- The amounts of servings don't need to be exact each day but there should be a balance and the average number of servings of a food group throughout the week should roughly line up with the recommendations
Breakfast ideas for a 2 year old
3-ingredient Oat Banana Pancake for Baby
Easy, healthy banana pancakes for baby are made with just 3 ingredients - oats, bananas and eggs.
Made in 10 min, perfect for 6 month old baby-led weaning , toddlers and even adults love them. Great with peanut butter and fruit, as breakfast or on-the-go snack. Once you make them they will become a staple in your kitchen. Can be made with no egg (vegan), and are gluten-free and naturally dairy-free.
Check out this recipe
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
5 min prep, super nutritious Peanut Butter Overnight Oats loaded with vitamins and minerals provides a healthy breakfast for baby (or toddler) and parent
Check out this recipe
Homemade Granola
Granola can be a super healthy breakfast, packed with energy and micronutrients. But it's too often full of sugar. Our homemade granola isn't!
Check out this recipe
Banana Spinach Pancakes Baby Recipe
A great way to add nutritious spinach to a baby recipes.
These healthy spinach pancakes are made with just 4 ingredients - banana, oats, egg and spinach and in 10 minutes. Perfect for 6 month old baby-led weaning, toddlers, kids and even adults love them.
Check out this recipe
Overnight Oat Chia Pudding
Overnight oats are a simple breakfastk packed with macro and micro nutrients, that you can prepare the night before so it's waiting for you in the morning.
Check out this recipe
Easy Cheese & Egg Quesadilla
Incredibly cheesy, yet crunch and crispy this super easy Cheese and Egg Quesadilla will keep yourself and your child nourished, happy and full.
Check out this recipe
Banana Oat Sheet Pan Pancakes
A 1-bowl, one baking tray with healthy ingredients Banana Oat Sheet Pan Pancakes that your baby, toddler, kid and even the rest of the family will love.
Check out this recipe
Dinner and lunch ideas for 2 year old
Easy Red Lentil Soup Recipe for Baby
10 min prep, 30 min to cook this nutritious, tasty and easy Red Lentil baby soup recipe is perfect for a 6 month old baby and older. Can be given if you are doing baby-led weaning, for toddlers, kids and it is so delicious adults will love it. Make a big batch and freeze it for days you don't want to cook. It's naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites
This easy, healthy Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe is a perfect appetizer, snack, or even lunch and dinner for baby, toddlers, kids and the whole family. Made in 4 easy steps they will become a part of your family menu.
Check out this recipe
Oven-baked Spanish Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
A healthy and filling meal you can prepare in no time to feed the whole family. A twist on the classic Spanish tortilla that takes 10 min of prep and 45 min in the oven. Easy, delicious oven-baked Spanish tortilla.
Check out this recipe
Easy Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas
10 mins to prep, just 1 dish to clean, these oven-baked chicken fajitas are a delicious healthy dinner that can be easily made for babies, toddlers and adults at the same time.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Crispy Roasted Chickpea Gyros
10 min prep, 30 min in the oven, easy delicious vegetarian recipe that you can deconstruct for baby, toddler and serve to parents for lunch or dinner.
Check out this recipe
Best Red Lentil Vegan Bolognese
Rich and hearty, this delicious red lentil vegan bolognese tastes like the original, no joke.
Made with healthy vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, celery, and walnuts and finished with flavorsome bolognese herbs. The whole dish tastes almost exactly the same as an authentic bolognese yet it is healthy, vegan, and loved by babies, kids, and adults. Even my husband, who adores the original bolognese, now prefers this as it makes him feel full but light.
Check out this recipe
Easy Homemade Wholewheat Pizza
Super easy homemade wholewheat pizza base that is great for baby-led weaning, practicing pincer grasp and for toddlers. A healthier version of the traditional pizza that you can make for the whole family.
Check out this recipe
Snacks for 2 year olds
Healthy Blueberry Pancakes
Deliciously naturally sweetened, these Healthy Blueberry Pancakes are perfect for baby-led weaning, finger food or for toddlers.
Great for breakfast or snack.
Check out this recipe
10 min No-Bake Energy Balls
Super easy no-bake energy balls are a perfect energy booster for babies and toddlers and help their digestive systems work.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Sesame Seed Crackers
Ditch the store-bought crackers packed with messy ingredients and make these natural, nutritious and homemade Sesame Seed Crackers that will keep your kids full.
Check out this recipe
Healthy Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
3-ingredients, one bowl, no mixer, 5 min to prep, no sugar - we made these delicious soft cookies which are perfect for baby-led weaning. These healthy vegan applesauce oatmeal cookies are great for babies and toddlers 6 months old + and older kids, for breakfast or snack.
Made only with applesauce, banana, oats and cinnamon and baked in 12 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Frozen Chocolate Banana Popsicles
10 min to make, easy, healthy chocolate covered banana popsicles that your toddler or bigger kids will love. They will love dipping the frozen bananas into melted chocolate and then covering them in ground nuts. Fun for the whole family resulting in an easy, healthy summer popsicle.
Check out this recipe
Feeding tips
- How much food any toddler needs is influenced by a number of different factors, including gender, age, weight, height, and physical activity.
- Some days your child will eat more than others – that's normal. They might want way more than you served one day and barely anything at all the next.
Again: that's normal. Children naturally understand portion control and how to follow their bodies' cues. Unfortunately, we often un-learn that as we grow up. - A hungry child should always be fed!
- You are in charge of what you serve, your child is in charge of what they eat. They might want more potatoes one day while ignoring the chicken on their plate. But the next day could be the opposite. Don't force them to finish something just because it's on their plate. They didn't put it there.
- You are in charge of monitoring your child's allergies and dietary requirements. These meal plans have not been customized for any specific child's allergies, dietary requirements, pre-existing nutrient deficiencies, or any other food-related requirements.
- Nothing can replace proper supervision of your child while they are eating. It should go without saying, but keep an eye on your kids while they eat. If you have any concerns for your child's health, you should seek advice without delay.
And always follow safe food handling practices when preparing food.
Hopefully this helps you to have an instinct for what kinds of foods to serve and in (approximately) what amounts. Ultimately we hope this makes life a little easier for you and your toddler!
To learn more about toddler nutrition and see toddler nutrition charts see the Daily Toddler Nutrition Chart, 3 toddler meal plans and schedule, Toddler 12-15 month old sample meal plan, Toddler 16-18 month old sample meal plan and the 19-21 month old toddler baby food chart and meal plan.
More toddler recipes
see all toddler recipes
More Toddler Meal Plans
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2 year old child's menu with recipes
Menu author: Natalia Dik — pediatrician. She graduated from the Chelyabinsk Medical Academy, clinical internship and residency, specialty pediatrics. She has been working in her specialty since 2007, from 2005-2008 she has been the head of the Allergy Department of the City Clinical Hospital No. 1 of Chelyabinsk, since 2008 she has been a specialist in clinical trials of drugs. She enjoys cooking and practices the Menu of the Week system in her daily life. |
By the age of two, most babies are able to eat many foods and dishes on their own, there is no need to grind food in a blender or knead with a fork. Rejoicing at such changes, some parents want to give the baby to try more new dishes. Some, on the contrary, are afraid to introduce something new, and they are in no hurry to transfer it to the general table. There is some common sense in both approaches. Although the digestive system of a two-year-old baby is already much more mature compared to a one-year-old, nevertheless, it is not yet strong enough. Therefore transition to adult food should be gradual .
The sample menu for week below is suitable not only for feeding a two-year-old child, but also for the whole family.
Do not worry if one of the days the child has not eaten all the dishes you have prepared.
Our ideas about how much a two-year-old should eat are often exaggerated from reality. In addition, children may have their own characteristics and preferences. Everything new is best offered in small portions. Often, babies carefully try unfamiliar or otherwise prepared foods, but if they are offered the same dish next time, they can eat it with pleasure.
MONDAY
Breakfast: Porridge made of oatmeal with caramel apples
Lunch: Pumpkin soup with chicken+salad “Sunny”
SUPPORT: Smoothies with sheepskin coat
Dinner: stewed vegetables with freaksheels
Pediatrician's comment: As with all ages, it is very important to diversify the diet of children, including different types of foods . At the same time, vegetables (fresh and cooked), fruits, cereals, milk and dairy products, vegetable and butter should be on the children's menu daily. Recommended norm of milk and dairy products - up to 600 ml (of which at least 200 ml are fermented milk products), vegetables 300-400g (of which potatoes - no more than 150g), fruits - 130g, meat (red or poultry) - up to 90g per day , bread - up to 90g (of which black - no more than 30g). It is advisable to eat fish 2-3 times a week (weekly norm 175g), eggs - no more than 3 times a week. |
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Kindergarten-style scrambled eggs
Lunch: Borsch-mashed potatoes + Potato casserole with vegetables
Snack: Baked apples with cottage cheese
Dinner:
Pediatrician's comment: Make sure your child drinks enough liquids. The norm is 35 ml/kg of water per day ie with a weight of 12 kg your baby should drink 420 ml. |
It is desirable that it be clean water. If the child refuses it, you can try to give unsweetened compote, herbal tea, but not store-bought juices. MEDIUM
Breakfast: Millet porridge with pumpkin in a slow cooker
Lunch: Borscht puree + White cabbage salad with apple
Afternoon snack: Banana smoothie with cookies and nuts
Dinner: Buckwheat porridge + Braised liver
Pediatrician's comment:In the diet of two-year-old children, there should not be such things as fast food (in addition to hamburgers and french fries, these are various chips and store-bought crackers), smoked meats, semi-finished products (sausages, sausages), canned and pickled foods, mushrooms and seafood. |
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Cottage cheese casserole with apples
Lunch: Soup with fish meatballs + Carrots and dried apricots
SUPPLE: yogurt+milk cake
Dinner: Buckwheat
Pediatrician's comment: Of course, it is best to prepare baby food from natural products. Manufacturers use many tricks to confuse customers (for example, they write "No preservatives" even if the composition contains citric acid, a powerful preservative). |
If, nevertheless, there is a need to purchase finished products (yogurts, curds, etc.) - be sure to read the information about the composition of on the labels, since at present, even in products intended for baby food, you can often find various flavors, thickeners and preservatives. FRIDAY
breakfast: Sweet pilaf with dried fruits and nuts
lunch: Soup with fish meatballs + Salad “Vitamin”
SUPPORT: yogurt+milk cake
Dinner: Potato cutlets with turkey and raw
Pediatrician's comment: At the age of two, it is already allowed to introduce a small amount of fried , however, try not to abuse this cooking method, preferring boiling, stewing or baking to it. |
SATURDAY
Breakfast: Cottage cheese casserole with pumpkin in a slow cooker
Lunch: Ratatui soup in a multicooker+beetroot salad with prunes and feta
Half -aftermate: Kisel from cherries
Dinner: Potato cutlets with turkey and damp
Pediatrician's comment:The diet of children at the age of two remains 5 times a day: three main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and two intermediate ones. If the break between the main meals is short, then in between it is enough to give an unsweetened fruit (apple, pear) or a vegetable salad (for example, apple + carrot). If the break is long, you can offer the baby a fermented milk product (yogurt, cottage cheese) with bread or cookies. |
SUNDAY
Breakfast: Pancakes with carrots Some experts do not recommend introducing sugar and confectionery into the diet until the age of three , or even for life. Health to you and your children! Author: Anastasija 0017 Nutrition for children aged 1 to 3 years The period from 1 to 3 years of life is a crucial stage in the transition to an adult type of nutrition, which has certain features. In order to ensure that all the necessary nutrients enter the child's body and at the same time prevent an excess of individual nutrients, nutrition should be balanced and varied. The daily amount of food for children aged 1 to 1.5 years should be 1000-1200 g, from 1. In the diet of a child of 1–3 years of age , must be present daily: animal or poultry meat, dairy and sour-milk products, vegetables, fruits, bread, cereals, vegetable and butter; fish and eggs are included in the diet 2-3 times a week. Cereal products: bread - 2-3 servings per day, cereals and side dishes - 1 time per day Domestic pediatricians recommend, when compiling a diet for children aged 1–3 years, preference should be given to specialized children's dairy products of industrial production that meet high quality requirements and safety indicators for this age. Meat dishes: 2-3 times a day When cooking, use the minimum amount of salt and sugar, and do not add them to industrial products. Offer your child a variety of foods and let them choose for themselves. Children love to eat on their own, so if possible, offer food that the child can eat with their hands. It is important to remember that the baby can choke on pieces of food, so everything you give the child should be crushed or cut into small pieces that can be easily chewed.
Lunch: Ratatouille soup in a slow cooker + Beetroot salad with prunes and feta
Afternoon snack: Cherry jelly
Fish casserole 10017
Pediatrician's comment: 
If you are already giving your child sweets, remember that the daily intake of sugar for a two-year-old child is up to 50g per day, and the less, the better. Chocolate and chocolates should be avoided as they stimulate the nervous system of children, often cause allergies and can cause constipation. Do you like these recipes?
Union of Pediatricians of Russia
5 to 3 years - 1200-1500, the amount of food in one feeding should not exceed 300-350 ml. The diet consists of three main meals per day and two snacks. It is considered optimal when breakfast is 25% of the total energy density of the diet, lunch is 30–35%, dinner is 20%, and additional meals are about 10%. In general, the child can eat the same food as the rest of the family.
Fruit and/or vegetables: at least 5 times a day
Dairy products: at least 3 servings per day (including those used to make porridge, yogurt, fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, infant formula or breast milk). 
Most children's dairy products are additionally enriched with vitamins and/or minerals and other biologically active components, taking into account the physiological needs of children of this age. At the same time, in foreign recommendations, children over 1 year old are offered the gradual introduction of whole cow's milk, which is rich in fats necessary for proper growth and development, the absorption of vitamins A and D, the development of the child's brain and nervous system.
Fish dishes: 2-3 servings per week
Eggs: 2-3 per week
Dietary fats: 3-4 teaspoons of butter and/or vegetable oils per day 
