Best food for 1year old baby
12 Healthy and Practical Foods for 1-Year-Olds
Your 1-year-old is changing, growing, and discovering at a whirlwind pace. Making sure they’re getting the foods they need may be a concern.
Inconsistent food choices and a fickle appetite are par for the course at this age. As frustrating as it might be, this is entirely normal as your toddler establishes independence and learns to discern their body’s fullness and hunger cues.
By the time they reach 12 months, toddlers need about 1,000 calories, 700 mg of calcium, 600 IU of vitamin D, and 7 mg of iron each day to support proper growth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (1).
With so much going on, you might be wondering how to best feed your 1-year-old without spending all day in the kitchen or chasing after them.
Here are 12 healthy and practical foods for 1-year-olds.
Around this time your 1-year-old starts to develop their pincer grasp, which involves pinching and maneuvering food with their fingertips, as they endeavor to self-feed. This is a great time to introduce finger-friendly foods.
Softer, fresh fruits are wonderful options for this transitional time and beyond. They not only deliver needed nutrients and a host of beneficial plant chemicals but also help cement healthy eating habits (2).
Slice bananas, clementines, strawberries, peaches, or mango, and slowly introduce them to your child. Avoid large pieces of fruit, as they may pose a choking hazard. Cut grapes into halves or quarters and never feed these to your child whole.
If your child doesn’t immediately take to the new fruit, don’t stress. In fact, studies show a child typically needs to be exposed to a new food 6–15 times before accepting it into their diet (3).
Soft fresh fruits can also be easily made into a smoothie or make an excellent snack when you’re on the go.
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, make sure your child eats any cut-up fruit within 2 hours after being out of the fridge. If you’re outside and it’s over 90°F (32°C), that time shrinks to within 1 hour (4).
SummarySoft, bite-sized bits of fruit are excellent choices, especially as your child experiments with self-feeding. Be sure they eat any cut-up fruit that’s been out of the fridge within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if you’re in hot temperatures.
As your child may be slowly weaning off breast milk or formula, it’s a good time to introduce cow’s milk.
Milk and yogurt are great sources of protein and bone-building calcium, which also benefits their developing teeth. One glass (244 ml) of whole milk offers 39% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium that your 1-year-old needs each day, as well as 8 grams of protein (5).
While you may continue to offer breast milk until 2 years of age or longer, whole fat dairy milk or yogurt may also be introduced at mealtimes or as a snack. Yogurt can be topped with diced fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
Honey can be introduced now at this age, but be sure to never feed it to a child under 12 months of age. Doing so can put them at risk of botulism, a serious infection (6).
Though dairy is generally safe at this age, be sure to watch for signs of a casein allergy.
Casein is a protein in milk. It’s different from lactose, which is a sugar found in milk that many adults don’t digest well (7).
A casein allergy manifests in about 2–3% of children under the age of 3, although more than 80% outgrow it. It seems to be most prevalent in children who were introduced to cow’s milk in infancy when breastfeeding was not an option (7, 8).
Be sure to introduce new foods, including milk and dairy products, to your child slowly. In fact, it’s a good idea to do so one food at a time and wait 3–5 days between the introduction of another new food to see how their body reacts (7).
Symptoms of casein allergy include wheezing, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your child experiences these or other reactions when you are introducing them to a new food, stop feeding them this food and speak to their healthcare provider (7, 9).
Also, consult your child’s pediatrician before giving them plant-based milk alternatives, as these are generally not recommended for toddlers due to their lack of essential nutrients for growth.
SummaryWhole milk and yogurt are great options as your child weans off formula or breast milk. These provide protein and support bone growth. You can offer them at mealtimes or as snacks.
Little ones won’t master the jaw-grinding motion, which helps with proper chewing, until they’re about 4 years old. In the meantime, their food must be mashed or cut up into small, easy-to-chew pieces (10).
Oatmeal is a wonderful option as your child makes this transition into chewing. It’s easy to swallow and boasts an impressive nutritional profile with a hearty heap of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats (11).
What’s more, oats provide ample amounts of fiber, which helps keep their digestive tracts healthy and regular (12).
While premixed packages are tempting, opt for your own homemade blend when possible to limit their intake of added sugar. If you’re strapped for time, consider making overnight oats by simply soaking them in the fridge overnight.
Mixing your oats with milk instead of water will also pack a bit more nutrients into your child’s bowl. Serve these topped with diced strawberries, bananas, or your child’s favorite raw fruit.
SummaryOatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse and offers an easy-to-swallow texture, which is helpful as your child develops the skills for proper chewing. Opt for homemade oatmeal over packets to limit added sugar, or try overnight oats.
Pancakes are popular among kids, and whole grains are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Thus, whole grain pancakes are a natural solution to what to serve your 1-year-old (13).
Whole grain pancakes deliver gut-friendly prebiotics, which help feed beneficial gut bacteria. They’re also finger-friendly when cut into bite-sized pieces (14).
Whip these up or buy a mix with 100% whole grains. After sizzling them on a skillet or griddle, top them with freshly sliced soft fruits, applesauce, or a drizzle of honey.
You can even smear a very thin layer of creamy nut butter to add extra protein. Although, given that tree nuts are a common allergen, be sure to introduce this food into their diet slowly.
SummaryWhole grain pancakes are a practical and healthy choice for your 1-year-old. Whip up your own mix or buy a premade 100% whole grain mix. Top them with your child’s favorite soft fruit, a thin layer of nut butter, or a drizzle of honey.
Eggs are a powerhouse food for kids and adults alike.
They support eye health and proper brain development, and they’re rich in protein, healthy fats, and a host of other nutrients (15, 16, 17, 18).
Scramble them or serve them hard-boiled and peeled. Be sure to cut either of these into bite-sized pieces, especially as your toddler endeavors to self-feed.
Note that eggs are among the eight most common allergy-causing foods for children. Most children outgrow the allergy, but it’s important to watch for symptoms, which can include hives, nasal congestion, digestive issues, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Eggs can but rarely cause anaphylaxis, a severe life threatening reaction that can constrict airways or cause lightheadedness or loss of consciousness. Speak with a pediatrician if you are concerned about an egg allergy (19).
SummaryEggs are excellent for toddlers and adults alike. They’re particularly supportive of eye health and proper brain development. Plus, they boast an impressive nutritional profile and can be part of a healthy meal or snack.
Tofu is a great source of iron, calcium, and protein — with firm tofu boasting the greatest concentrations (20).
A 2-ounce (56-gram) portion of firm tofu provides almost 1 mg of iron, or nearly 14% of the DV for your child. The same serving also provides 12% of their daily calcium needs (20).
Served sweet or savory, tofu is wonderfully versatile. Silken tofu can be blended into smoothies or mashed into bananas, avocado, or cottage cheese. Its flavor is neutral, so all this will do is provide some hearty nutrition.
Toss cubed firm tofu into soups, or stir-fry it with your favorite gentle seasonings. You can also break firm tofu up with your hands and scramble it with your favorite soft vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
If your child has a diagnosed soy allergy, you want to avoid tofu. If this allergy runs in your family, you should speak with your pediatrician.
SummaryTofu, whether silken or firm, is packed with iron, calcium, and protein. It is wonderfully versatile and can accompany sweet or savory dishes. Add silken tofu to smoothies or scramble firm tofu with soft veggies.
Soft bits of chicken or ground turkey can be great ways to incorporate more protein into your child’s diet. This nutrient is needed for proper growth (21).
Begin by feeding them puréed chicken, turkey, or soft cuts of meat. Poach the protein first, then add milk, broth, or yogurt to soften this mix in the blender or food processor. As they get more comfortable with self-feeding, sauté ground meat or cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.
Avoid any tough or stringy cuts of meat, as these might be too difficult for your child to chew or swallow. Also, steer clear of spicy or strong seasonings, which might upset their gentle stomachs.
SummarySofter cuts of meat like chicken or turkey can be a fountain of protein for your growing tot. Feed them puréed poached meats. As they get better at chewing, sauté ground or small bite-sized pieces. Avoid strong flavors.
Avocados are a fantastic food to feed your 1-year-old. Their creamy texture is especially helpful during this transitional period, while their impressive nutritional profile supports your child’s growth (22).
What’s more, 30–40% of your toddler’s calories should come from fat, according to the American Heart Association (23).
Avocados are packed with healthy fats, which benefit your child’s brain and heart. Half a cup (75 grams) of diced, raw avocado provides nearly 9 grams of healthy unsaturated fats (24).
Cube or mash them and smear them on whole grain toast or a cracker. Experiment with blending avocado with other soft-textured fruits and vegetables, such as cooked butternut squash or sweet potato.
SummaryAvocados pack healthy fats and fiber while providing an ideal transitional texture for your toddler. Cube or mash them or blend them with other favorite fruits and veggies.
As your tyke weans off breast milk or formula, they need to hydrate. Water is an optimal choice. Fill up their sippy cups and replenish as often as they need.
Your 1-year-old should be getting at least one 8-ounce glass (237 ml) of water a day. They may need more if they’re active, ill, or in hot temperatures. Also, they will need more as they get older (25).
When in doubt, check their diapers — they should be urinating at least every 6 hours.
SummaryWater should be provided as your tyke weans off breast milk or formula. At this age, they should get at least 1 cup (237 ml) each day.
Steaming vegetables, such as broccoli, peas, and carrots, is an excellent way to introduce your child to this important food group.
Broccoli, carrots, and peas pack fiber and vitamin C. What’s more, carrots contain lutein, which supports eye health, while peas pack muscle-building proteins (26, 27, 28).
Venture out with other veggies, including steamed parsnips, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, too. Serve these with a lemony yogurt dip or hummus.
You’ll want to hold off on serving any of these raw, as they’re still too tough to chew.
SummarySteaming veggies softens them to an ideal texture for your growing tot. Broccoli, carrots, and peas are great choices, but feel free to venture out.
Half a cup (130 grams) of mashed beans provides nearly 39% of the DV for iron for your child (29).
Mashed beans — whether they’re black, kidney, or white beans — are a rich source of iron, which your child needs to keep their blood cells healthy (30).
Serving these alongside a food high in vitamin C, such as broccoli, diced tomatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes, will help them absorb iron much more efficiently (31).
This iron and vitamin C combo is especially important if your toddler doesn’t eat meat, as the body absorbs heme iron from animal sources more efficiently than nonheme iron from plant sources (31, 32).
SummaryMashed beans boast impressive nutrients, including iron. This is especially important for your child’s health and helps keep their blood cells healthy. Eat beans with vitamin-C-rich foods to help boost iron absorption.
Hummus blends chickpeas and sesame butter, which pair to provide a bounty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals (33).
Spread hummus on some whole grain crackers or serve it alongside your child’s favorite protein source, a piece of cheese, or steamed veggie.
There are great store-bought options, but if you’re feeling inspired, this is an easy one to whip up. Simply combine a bit of garlic, sesame butter (tahini), chickpeas, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
Still, keep in mind that sesame seeds, which are used to make sesame butter, are among the top 10 most common food allergens, accounting for 17% of food allergies in children. Only 20–30% of affected kids outgrow it (34).
For this reason, be sure to introduce this and other sesame-containing foods to your child in very small amounts and watch for common reactions like hives and vomiting (34).
SummaryHummus is a great food to introduce at this age, as it provides a bounty of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients.
A lot is going on with your 1-year-old. They’re experimenting with feeding themselves, learning to sense hunger and fullness, and asserting their independence, among several other developmental milestones.
As you navigate this period of growth and change, there are many practical and healthy food choices, including fresh, soft fruits, steamed veggies, tofu, and eggs.
The key points are selecting foods that are easy-to-chew, soft, and highly nutritious.
It’s a good idea to introduce new foods in small amounts and one at a time. With each new food, watch for adverse reactions, and stop feeding them this food if you observe signs of intolerance or allergy.
However, if you suspect it’s simply a matter of taste, or if your child doesn’t immediately take to these or other new foods, keep trying. It might take 6–15 exposures to a new food for your child to accept it into their diet.
Don’t stress if their appetite is fickle or their food choices vary like the wind — this is all part of their process.
12 Healthy and Practical Foods for 1-Year-Olds
Your 1-year-old is changing, growing, and discovering at a whirlwind pace. Making sure they’re getting the foods they need may be a concern.
Inconsistent food choices and a fickle appetite are par for the course at this age. As frustrating as it might be, this is entirely normal as your toddler establishes independence and learns to discern their body’s fullness and hunger cues.
By the time they reach 12 months, toddlers need about 1,000 calories, 700 mg of calcium, 600 IU of vitamin D, and 7 mg of iron each day to support proper growth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (1).
With so much going on, you might be wondering how to best feed your 1-year-old without spending all day in the kitchen or chasing after them.
Here are 12 healthy and practical foods for 1-year-olds.
Around this time your 1-year-old starts to develop their pincer grasp, which involves pinching and maneuvering food with their fingertips, as they endeavor to self-feed. This is a great time to introduce finger-friendly foods.
Softer, fresh fruits are wonderful options for this transitional time and beyond. They not only deliver needed nutrients and a host of beneficial plant chemicals but also help cement healthy eating habits (2).
Slice bananas, clementines, strawberries, peaches, or mango, and slowly introduce them to your child. Avoid large pieces of fruit, as they may pose a choking hazard. Cut grapes into halves or quarters and never feed these to your child whole.
If your child doesn’t immediately take to the new fruit, don’t stress. In fact, studies show a child typically needs to be exposed to a new food 6–15 times before accepting it into their diet (3).
Soft fresh fruits can also be easily made into a smoothie or make an excellent snack when you’re on the go.
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, make sure your child eats any cut-up fruit within 2 hours after being out of the fridge. If you’re outside and it’s over 90°F (32°C), that time shrinks to within 1 hour (4).
SummarySoft, bite-sized bits of fruit are excellent choices, especially as your child experiments with self-feeding. Be sure they eat any cut-up fruit that’s been out of the fridge within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if you’re in hot temperatures.
As your child may be slowly weaning off breast milk or formula, it’s a good time to introduce cow’s milk.
Milk and yogurt are great sources of protein and bone-building calcium, which also benefits their developing teeth. One glass (244 ml) of whole milk offers 39% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium that your 1-year-old needs each day, as well as 8 grams of protein (5).
While you may continue to offer breast milk until 2 years of age or longer, whole fat dairy milk or yogurt may also be introduced at mealtimes or as a snack. Yogurt can be topped with diced fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
Honey can be introduced now at this age, but be sure to never feed it to a child under 12 months of age. Doing so can put them at risk of botulism, a serious infection (6).
Though dairy is generally safe at this age, be sure to watch for signs of a casein allergy.
Casein is a protein in milk. It’s different from lactose, which is a sugar found in milk that many adults don’t digest well (7).
A casein allergy manifests in about 2–3% of children under the age of 3, although more than 80% outgrow it. It seems to be most prevalent in children who were introduced to cow’s milk in infancy when breastfeeding was not an option (7, 8).
Be sure to introduce new foods, including milk and dairy products, to your child slowly. In fact, it’s a good idea to do so one food at a time and wait 3–5 days between the introduction of another new food to see how their body reacts (7).
Symptoms of casein allergy include wheezing, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your child experiences these or other reactions when you are introducing them to a new food, stop feeding them this food and speak to their healthcare provider (7, 9).
Also, consult your child’s pediatrician before giving them plant-based milk alternatives, as these are generally not recommended for toddlers due to their lack of essential nutrients for growth.
SummaryWhole milk and yogurt are great options as your child weans off formula or breast milk. These provide protein and support bone growth. You can offer them at mealtimes or as snacks.
Little ones won’t master the jaw-grinding motion, which helps with proper chewing, until they’re about 4 years old. In the meantime, their food must be mashed or cut up into small, easy-to-chew pieces (10).
Oatmeal is a wonderful option as your child makes this transition into chewing. It’s easy to swallow and boasts an impressive nutritional profile with a hearty heap of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats (11).
What’s more, oats provide ample amounts of fiber, which helps keep their digestive tracts healthy and regular (12).
While premixed packages are tempting, opt for your own homemade blend when possible to limit their intake of added sugar. If you’re strapped for time, consider making overnight oats by simply soaking them in the fridge overnight.
Mixing your oats with milk instead of water will also pack a bit more nutrients into your child’s bowl. Serve these topped with diced strawberries, bananas, or your child’s favorite raw fruit.
SummaryOatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse and offers an easy-to-swallow texture, which is helpful as your child develops the skills for proper chewing. Opt for homemade oatmeal over packets to limit added sugar, or try overnight oats.
Pancakes are popular among kids, and whole grains are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Thus, whole grain pancakes are a natural solution to what to serve your 1-year-old (13).
Whole grain pancakes deliver gut-friendly prebiotics, which help feed beneficial gut bacteria. They’re also finger-friendly when cut into bite-sized pieces (14).
Whip these up or buy a mix with 100% whole grains. After sizzling them on a skillet or griddle, top them with freshly sliced soft fruits, applesauce, or a drizzle of honey.
You can even smear a very thin layer of creamy nut butter to add extra protein. Although, given that tree nuts are a common allergen, be sure to introduce this food into their diet slowly.
SummaryWhole grain pancakes are a practical and healthy choice for your 1-year-old. Whip up your own mix or buy a premade 100% whole grain mix. Top them with your child’s favorite soft fruit, a thin layer of nut butter, or a drizzle of honey.
Eggs are a powerhouse food for kids and adults alike.
They support eye health and proper brain development, and they’re rich in protein, healthy fats, and a host of other nutrients (15, 16, 17, 18).
Scramble them or serve them hard-boiled and peeled. Be sure to cut either of these into bite-sized pieces, especially as your toddler endeavors to self-feed.
Note that eggs are among the eight most common allergy-causing foods for children. Most children outgrow the allergy, but it’s important to watch for symptoms, which can include hives, nasal congestion, digestive issues, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Eggs can but rarely cause anaphylaxis, a severe life threatening reaction that can constrict airways or cause lightheadedness or loss of consciousness. Speak with a pediatrician if you are concerned about an egg allergy (19).
SummaryEggs are excellent for toddlers and adults alike. They’re particularly supportive of eye health and proper brain development. Plus, they boast an impressive nutritional profile and can be part of a healthy meal or snack.
Tofu is a great source of iron, calcium, and protein — with firm tofu boasting the greatest concentrations (20).
A 2-ounce (56-gram) portion of firm tofu provides almost 1 mg of iron, or nearly 14% of the DV for your child. The same serving also provides 12% of their daily calcium needs (20).
Served sweet or savory, tofu is wonderfully versatile. Silken tofu can be blended into smoothies or mashed into bananas, avocado, or cottage cheese. Its flavor is neutral, so all this will do is provide some hearty nutrition.
Toss cubed firm tofu into soups, or stir-fry it with your favorite gentle seasonings. You can also break firm tofu up with your hands and scramble it with your favorite soft vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
If your child has a diagnosed soy allergy, you want to avoid tofu. If this allergy runs in your family, you should speak with your pediatrician.
SummaryTofu, whether silken or firm, is packed with iron, calcium, and protein. It is wonderfully versatile and can accompany sweet or savory dishes. Add silken tofu to smoothies or scramble firm tofu with soft veggies.
Soft bits of chicken or ground turkey can be great ways to incorporate more protein into your child’s diet. This nutrient is needed for proper growth (21).
Begin by feeding them puréed chicken, turkey, or soft cuts of meat. Poach the protein first, then add milk, broth, or yogurt to soften this mix in the blender or food processor. As they get more comfortable with self-feeding, sauté ground meat or cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.
Avoid any tough or stringy cuts of meat, as these might be too difficult for your child to chew or swallow. Also, steer clear of spicy or strong seasonings, which might upset their gentle stomachs.
SummarySofter cuts of meat like chicken or turkey can be a fountain of protein for your growing tot. Feed them puréed poached meats. As they get better at chewing, sauté ground or small bite-sized pieces. Avoid strong flavors.
Avocados are a fantastic food to feed your 1-year-old. Their creamy texture is especially helpful during this transitional period, while their impressive nutritional profile supports your child’s growth (22).
What’s more, 30–40% of your toddler’s calories should come from fat, according to the American Heart Association (23).
Avocados are packed with healthy fats, which benefit your child’s brain and heart. Half a cup (75 grams) of diced, raw avocado provides nearly 9 grams of healthy unsaturated fats (24).
Cube or mash them and smear them on whole grain toast or a cracker. Experiment with blending avocado with other soft-textured fruits and vegetables, such as cooked butternut squash or sweet potato.
SummaryAvocados pack healthy fats and fiber while providing an ideal transitional texture for your toddler. Cube or mash them or blend them with other favorite fruits and veggies.
As your tyke weans off breast milk or formula, they need to hydrate. Water is an optimal choice. Fill up their sippy cups and replenish as often as they need.
Your 1-year-old should be getting at least one 8-ounce glass (237 ml) of water a day. They may need more if they’re active, ill, or in hot temperatures. Also, they will need more as they get older (25).
When in doubt, check their diapers — they should be urinating at least every 6 hours.
SummaryWater should be provided as your tyke weans off breast milk or formula. At this age, they should get at least 1 cup (237 ml) each day.
Steaming vegetables, such as broccoli, peas, and carrots, is an excellent way to introduce your child to this important food group.
Broccoli, carrots, and peas pack fiber and vitamin C. What’s more, carrots contain lutein, which supports eye health, while peas pack muscle-building proteins (26, 27, 28).
Venture out with other veggies, including steamed parsnips, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, too. Serve these with a lemony yogurt dip or hummus.
You’ll want to hold off on serving any of these raw, as they’re still too tough to chew.
SummarySteaming veggies softens them to an ideal texture for your growing tot. Broccoli, carrots, and peas are great choices, but feel free to venture out.
Half a cup (130 grams) of mashed beans provides nearly 39% of the DV for iron for your child (29).
Mashed beans — whether they’re black, kidney, or white beans — are a rich source of iron, which your child needs to keep their blood cells healthy (30).
Serving these alongside a food high in vitamin C, such as broccoli, diced tomatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes, will help them absorb iron much more efficiently (31).
This iron and vitamin C combo is especially important if your toddler doesn’t eat meat, as the body absorbs heme iron from animal sources more efficiently than nonheme iron from plant sources (31, 32).
SummaryMashed beans boast impressive nutrients, including iron. This is especially important for your child’s health and helps keep their blood cells healthy. Eat beans with vitamin-C-rich foods to help boost iron absorption.
Hummus blends chickpeas and sesame butter, which pair to provide a bounty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals (33).
Spread hummus on some whole grain crackers or serve it alongside your child’s favorite protein source, a piece of cheese, or steamed veggie.
There are great store-bought options, but if you’re feeling inspired, this is an easy one to whip up. Simply combine a bit of garlic, sesame butter (tahini), chickpeas, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
Still, keep in mind that sesame seeds, which are used to make sesame butter, are among the top 10 most common food allergens, accounting for 17% of food allergies in children. Only 20–30% of affected kids outgrow it (34).
For this reason, be sure to introduce this and other sesame-containing foods to your child in very small amounts and watch for common reactions like hives and vomiting (34).
SummaryHummus is a great food to introduce at this age, as it provides a bounty of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients.
A lot is going on with your 1-year-old. They’re experimenting with feeding themselves, learning to sense hunger and fullness, and asserting their independence, among several other developmental milestones.
As you navigate this period of growth and change, there are many practical and healthy food choices, including fresh, soft fruits, steamed veggies, tofu, and eggs.
The key points are selecting foods that are easy-to-chew, soft, and highly nutritious.
It’s a good idea to introduce new foods in small amounts and one at a time. With each new food, watch for adverse reactions, and stop feeding them this food if you observe signs of intolerance or allergy.
However, if you suspect it’s simply a matter of taste, or if your child doesn’t immediately take to these or other new foods, keep trying. It might take 6–15 exposures to a new food for your child to accept it into their diet.
Don’t stress if their appetite is fickle or their food choices vary like the wind — this is all part of their process.
Menu for a child at 1 year old for a week, rules and 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. |
What food should be on a child's menu after the first birthday? Perhaps there is no mother who would not ask herself this question at least once.
The baby more and more confidently eats not only pureed dishes, but also dishes with small pieces of food, his diet at 1 year old gradually expands, the menu becomes more diverse and as a result, the mother has a lot of opportunities for culinary experiments.
It is possible and necessary to experiment, because it is at an early age that a child develops eating habits . You don't want him to turn his nose away from a plate of food in the future because it contains fried onions or baked broccoli, do you? Then start introducing him to a variety of products and how to cook them now!
Things to remember when compiling a menu for a child after 1 year:
- First of all, try to keep the same feeding schedule for better production of digestive enzymes . It is recommended to give "adult" food to babies 5 times a day at intervals of 3.5-4 hours: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and milk or kefir at night. It is very good if the mother's lactation is preserved, and it is possible to continue natural feeding on demand. Usually, children ask for a breast in the morning after waking up, in the afternoon after taking regular meals, or in between and before bedtime. With artificial feeding, babies usually continue to drink formula milk in the morning and before bedtime after a year.
- It is not difficult to diversify the diet: it is enough to include vegetables, fruits, cereals, protein products (milk and dairy products, legumes, meat, fish) and fats (vegetable, butter, sour cream) in it daily. For example, if there was a cereal side dish for lunch, it is better to cook a vegetable dish for dinner, and vice versa.
- The most optimal ways of cooking are stewing, boiling (in water or steam), baking. But there are some peculiarities: if you cook soup in broth, it is better to use boneless meat and drain the first broth to avoid overstimulation of digestive enzymes
- You can gradually introduce child to various spices and seasonings (cinnamon, coriander, cumin, etc. ). Of course, a lot of spicy additives (pepper, garlic) are best avoided, as well as products with artificial flavors (seasonings containing monosodium glutamate, etc.). It will be more useful if the baby learns to enjoy natural tastes.
- All mothers are well aware that water is very important for the health and well-being of babies, so make sure that your child drinks enough water between feedings (in extreme cases, unsweetened tea or a decoction of herbs, rose hips). You can pour water every morning into a sippy cup or bottle in a volume of about 300 ml and periodically offer him a drink.
MONDAY
Breakfast: Wheat porridge
Lunch: Chicken pumpkin puree soup recipe
Dinner: Zucchini and carrot casserole
Pediatrician's comment:lunch often offers to cook broth and stewed vegetables. In my opinion, puree soups combine two dishes at the same time, thereby saving time on cooking. Complementing them with steam cutlets or meatballs (from meat, poultry or fish), we get a full meal.
|
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Oatmeal Porridge with Caramel Apples
Lunch: Broccoli Soup, Fish Meatballs
Dinner: Zucchini and Carrot Casserole
Pediatrician's comment:For afternoon snack you can give your baby fruit (if there are still problems with pieces, then in the form of puree or grated), cottage cheese, yogurt or kefir with children's cookies. |
Wednesday
Breakfast: Pudding from cottage cheese
Lunch: Broacli Puree, Fisheries
Dinner: Buckwheat porridge
9000 9000 9000 9000
Pediatrician's comment:
Many children even a year prefer to have breakfast with breast milk or formula (if they are formula-fed). Dairy porridge has always been considered a tasty and satisfying breakfast. In addition, you can cook cottage cheese casserole or scrambled eggs.
Thursday
Breakfast: Omlet
Lunch: Puree soup
Dinner: Greek porridge
Pediatrician's comment:
For dinner many children have enough porridge or vegetable puree.
Friday
breakfast: wheat porridge
lunch: soup pure of various vegetables, cutlets
Dinner: zucchini stew in sour cream
9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 flakes with caramel apples
Lunch: Cauliflower soup, liver sauté
Dinner: Sour cream stewed zucchini
Pediatrician's comment:If the baby has not yet given up five meals a day, then before going to bed drinks with pleasure either breast milk or formula (yogurt, kefir), depending on the type of feeding. |
SUNDAY
Breakfast : Baked apples with cottage cheese
Lunch : Cauliflower soup, liver sauté90 Potatoes
Dinner
0078 , Salad of carrots and dried apricots
Such a menu for a child for a week will please not only the baby, but the whole family. Let me just remind you that for children, you need to replace mayonnaise with sour cream, and hot spices (pepper, garlic) can be added to adults in ready-made portions.
Health to your children and the whole family!
Do you like these recipes?
Author: Dasha Chernenko
diet, regimen and menu for the week
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Contents
The diet of a child at 1 year old
Approximate diet of a child at 1 year old
What foods should be included in the diet of a child at 1 year old
Approximate diet for a child in 1 year
Features of cooking
Sample menu for a child at 1 year old
Approximate menu for a one-year-old child
What should not be given to children per year
Is your child eating well? Mine is not small, no. But it is very difficult to feed. At a year and a half, he is highly suspicious of any new dishes. Further soups and cereals, we have not advanced. Well, thanks for that. But I so want to feed a casserole, and stewed vegetables, and meatballs. No, everything is rejected with indignation and an expression of extreme disgust on the face. But I do not give up and believe that by the age of two we will have mastered a normal menu and even switch to adult food in some places. Indeed, from the age of a child's diet begins to approach the norms of adult nutrition. In this article, we will analyze issues related to the nutrition of a one-year-old baby: what, how, how many times to feed, what is possible, and what is better to refrain from, etc.
The diet of a child at 1 year old
The diet is already formed based on the general regimen of the family - 5-6 times a day, 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 2-3 snacks (lunch, afternoon snack, snack before bed). If you want your baby to have a good appetite, feed him by the hour. By a certain time, the child will have time to get hungry and will eat with pleasure. In addition, eating according to the regimen facilitates adaptation in kindergarten. Deviations in the time of eating should not exceed 15-20 minutes. The child should have his own place where he eats, his own dishes. You already need to feed a one-year-old baby from a spoon, and drink from a mug or glass. Nothing should distract from food, no games, no TV, no gadgets. It is now that the child is laying the first and main eating habits, so do not miss the moment to form them correctly.
Approximate diet of a child at 1 year old
No. | Time | meal |
one. | 8:30/9:00 | Breakfast (you should not feed the child immediately after waking up, it is better to do this after washing, dressing and other morning rituals). |
2. | 10:00/11:00 | Second breakfast (it is better if it is fruit puree or yogurt with fruit). |
3. | 12:30/13:00 | Lunch (it is better to have lunch after a walk and before going to bed, if the baby does not eat the first and second, then the soup can be made thicker). |
four. | 16:00/16:30 | Afternoon snack (just like in the morning, it is better not to feed the baby immediately after sleep, afternoon tea is a dense snack, consider this when choosing dishes). |
5. | 18:00/19:00 | Dinner (for dinner, you can give the same dish that was for the second lunch, at least 5 hours should pass between dinner and lunch, you need to have dinner before nightly rituals - cleaning toys, hygiene procedures, changing into pajamas, etc. ). |
6. | For the night | Many babies at this age are still breastfeeding or simply won't fall asleep without a bottle of milk or formula. |
If the baby was breastfed for up to a year, then by the year and after, breastfeeding should be gradually replaced with adult dishes. No need to give breast or milk formula between meals - this will discourage the child's appetite. It is optimal to feed milk early in the morning and in the evening, before going to bed.
When sick, the regimen can go astray, because children have poor appetite during illness. Sometimes you need to introduce an additional meal - night.
The consistency of the dishes should also change smoothly: in order for the child’s nutrition at 1 year old to be complete, the food should contain not only the pureed mass, but also pieces of vegetables, fruits and meat. Puree should be gradually withdrawn from the children's diet.
Photo source: shutterstock.com
What foods should be included in the diet of a child at 1 year old
The child's diet should also include those foods to which he is accustomed, and new dishes should be gradually introduced. Be sure to include cereals, dairy products (milk, cottage cheese and kefir), fruits, vegetables, meat and fish on the menu for the child. But after a year, these products should already be given in combination with each other.
In total, the diet should include from 1100 to 1250 ml per day. Calorie content - 1200 kcal.
Breakfast and dinner each account for 25% of the daily amount, 35% for lunch, and 15% for an afternoon snack. These norms are prescribed very conditionally, since children are all very individual - someone will calmly endure from breakfast to lunch, and someone will need a mandatory snack. One serving should be about 250-300 ml at a time, depending on the number of meals (the fewer, the larger the serving). The nutrition of a child in a year should be varied in composition, it should include different products and different dishes.
Approximate diet for a 1 year old child
Product | Quantity per day | How often to give | Processing and preparation options, when is the best time to give. |
Milk (including breastfeeding) | 400 ml | Daily | Milk is an independent meal and is part of some dishes, such as cereals. |
Kefir | 150 g | Daily | It's better to warm it up a bit before use. Good for an afternoon snack or before bed. |
Yogurt | 100 g | Daily | It is better to use special children's yogurt with a reduced content of fats and proteins. It is given in its pure form and with pieces of fruit. |
Cottage cheese | 50 g | After 1-2 days | It is ground with a small amount of milk or sour cream, you can add a little sugar, but fruit is better. |
Sour cream | 5-10 g | After 1-2 days | It is used as a dressing for dishes (for example, soups, cheesecakes, casseroles, etc.). |
Cheese | 5 g | 2-3 times a week | Only hard varieties. |
Eggs | Half or one quail | Daily | Only hard-boiled and in the absence of allergies. Some pediatricians recommend giving only boiled yolk mixed with other products up to 1.5 years. Eggs are also included in dishes such as casseroles, cheesecakes, etc. |
Kashi | 200 g | Daily | Porridges can be both in milk and in water. Preference is given to gluten-free cereals - buckwheat, rice, corn porridge. Gradually, oatmeal should be introduced into the child's diet - this is one of the most useful cereals. |
Vegetable oil | 6 g | Daily | Added to vegetable soups and salads as a dressing. |
Butter | 17 g | Daily | It is used as a dressing for cereals and vegetable purees. |
Meat | 100 g | Daily | Suitable lean meats - beef, veal, pork, chicken, rabbit, turkey and horse meat. Meat can be served in the form of souffle, meatballs, steam cutlets. Offal can be given tongue and liver. Of the sausages, only sausages with special labeling for young children are allowed. It is better to give meat in the morning, as it is absorbed by the body for a long time. |
Fish | 30-40 g | 1-2 times a week | River and sea fish of low-fat varieties - hake, pollock, haddock, cod. |
Vegetables | 200 g | Daily | From vegetables, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, onions and greens are suitable. Vegetables are boiled, stewed and added to soups and second courses, such as stews. It is better not to give turnips, radishes, radishes and garlic until 1.5 years old. |
Potato | 150 g | 2-3 times a week | It is given to the child in the form of mashed potatoes. A small amount of potatoes can be added to soups and vegetable stews. It is better to choose seasonal vegetables growing in the area where you live. |
Fruit | 110 g | Daily | Serve fresh, but for a variety of taste, you can add it to various dishes (for example, casseroles, compotes, yoghurts, etc. ). |
Berries | 10-20 g | These can be blueberries, blueberries, currants, raspberries, cherries, sweet cherries, gooseberries, cranberries, lingonberries, rose hips, strawberries and strawberries (these two berries can be strong allergens and should be given with caution). Some berries can be given raw, after grinding them in a blender and removing the seeds, others (rose hips, cranberries, etc.) are best given in the form of compotes. | |
Drinks and water | 120-200 ml, in hot weather - up to 500 ml | Daily | From drinks, you can give compotes from berries and dried fruits. It should be remembered that drinks will not replace water, it must be present in the baby's diet on its own. |
Bread | 10 g | Daily | Only white bread should be given to the child, other varieties are introduced into the diet after 1.5 years. |
Pasta | 25-30 g | 1-2 times a week | They can be added to soup. |
Salt | 3 g | Daily | Salt should be kept to a minimum. |
Sugar | 20-40 g | Daily | It must be remembered that an excess of sugar reduces appetite, increases the load on the pancreas and other organs. |
The table shows an approximate diet that you can rely on when compiling a menu for a one-year-old child. Baby food per year should be varied and at the same time contain all the substances necessary for growth and development.
Features of cooking
The main cooking methods are boiling and steaming, stewing and baking. Spices are not used. Salt and sugar are added in limited quantities.
Attention! The nutrition of a child at 1 year old excludes fried (including frying in soups), salted, pickled and dried foods!
Porridges are boiled in water and milk, then wiped.
Soups are cooked in a second lean meat broth, once or twice a week you can give soup in broth on the bone. At the beginning of the introduction, soups are pureed with a blender, gradually pieces of meat and vegetables should be introduced into them. Soups are cooked in small quantities, since you can only feed the baby with freshly prepared soup.
Photo source: shutterstock.com
Fish broth is not recommended for children under 3 years of age, so as not to cause allergies, constipation and poisoning. The fish is boiled and served separately, without broth.
Omelettes are made only for a couple. The eggs are hard boiled.
It is good to bake apples and pears in the oven, so they retain more nutrients and at the same time they are better absorbed by the children's body.
Vegetables are best given pureed or grated if they are intended for salad.
Cutlets and meatballs are steamed, the meat for them is passed through a meat grinder 1-2 times.
Compotes are made from fresh, frozen and dried fruits. Sugar is used at the same time in a minimal amount. The drink is removed from the stove immediately after boiling - this allows you to save more nutrients.
Approximate menu for a child at 1 year old
When compiling a menu, you need to focus on the tastes and preferences of your baby. In addition, remember: there are researcher children and experimenter children - they love everything new and will be interested in any innovation on their plate, and there are conservative children - they prefer a strictly defined set of dishes and perceive any new dish with suspicion. If the baby rejects a new dish, set it aside and offer it again in a couple of days, and again and again, your perseverance and patience will certainly be rewarded, and the new dish will be included in the menu of the little gourmet.
Approximate menu for a one-year-old child
meal | Dishes | Options |
Breakfast. | Milk porridge with butter / steamed omelet + drink. | Porridge can be rice, buckwheat, corn, barley, wheat, millet, oatmeal, semolina. Tea, cocoa. |
Lunch. | Fruit/pastries/ dairy products. | Baked apple, fruit and biscuits, yogurt and biscuits, fruit puree, fruit puree and yogurt, milk and roll. If there is only one puree on the menu, then it is better to make it from two types of fruit - for example, from a banana and an apple. Yogurt, kefir, snowball, acidophilus. |
Dinner. | Soup + main course (meat and side dish) + bread + drink. | Soup with vegetables, milk, meat, fish, meatballs, cabbage soup, borscht, noodle soup, soup with rice, noodles, pasta, buckwheat, puree soups. The second - meatballs, meatballs and steamed cutlets, boiled meat, boiled fish, meat casseroles, vegetable puree, mashed potatoes, vegetable stew, stewed vegetables, porridge with meat. Compote, tea, milk, juice, rosehip drink. |
afternoon tea. | Fruit/pastries/ fermented milk products/casserole/ omelette. | Casseroles of cereals, cottage cheese and pasta with fruit, puddings, mousses, cheesecakes baked in the oven, cottage cheese (alone or with fruit fillers). Baked apple, fruit and biscuits, yogurt and biscuits, fruit puree, fruit puree and yogurt, milk and roll. |
Dinner. | Meat + side dish + drink. | Meatballs, meatballs and steamed cutlets, boiled meat, boiled fish, casseroles with meat, vegetable puree, mashed potatoes, vegetable stew, stewed vegetables, porridge with meat, casseroles of cereals, cottage cheese and pasta with fruit, puddings, mousses, cheesecakes baked in the oven. Compote, tea, milk, juice, rosehip drink. |
What should not be given to children in the year
There is a list of products that in no case should be given to a child a year:
They are not only not useful, but can also cause serious damage to children's health.
Yes, feeding a baby a year is troublesome for a mother, but believe me, it’s worth spending both time and effort so that after some time your baby sits at a common table and takes part in a family meal on an equal basis with all family members.
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This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, please contact your doctor. See rating of doctors.
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