Your child is walking, climbing, running, and "talking" nonstop now. Such developmental milestones mean his nutritional needs have changed, too.

Welcome to toddler territory. Armed with some basic know-how, you'll discover how best to nourish your child up to age 3.

Feeding Toddlers: How Much to Serve?

It's ironic: Because of a slowdown in growth, toddlers, who are far more active than infants, have lower calorie needs, pound for pound. That doesn't diminish the importance of good nutrition, but it does present some challenges.

Toddlers need between 1,000 and 1,400 calories a day, depending on their age, size, and physical level (most are considered active). The amount of food a toddler requires from each of the food groups is based on daily calorie needs. In addition to choices from each of the food groups, toddlers need the equivalent of 3 to 4 teaspoons of healthy oils, such as canola oil and tub margarine. Here are some ideas for a toddler weekly menu.

Toddler Feeding Chart 

Food Group	Daily Servings, 12-24 months	Daily Servings, 24-36 months	Serving Size Examples
Grains	3, at least half from whole-grain sources	5, at least half from whole-grain sources	1 slice of whole-grain bread; 1 mini bagel; 1/2 cup cooked pasta, rice, or cereal; 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal
Fruits	1	1 1/2	1 small apple; 1 cup sliced or cubed fruit; 1 large banana
Vegetables	1	1 1/2	1 cup cooked mashed or finely chopped vegetables including legumes (chickpeas, black beans, etc.)
Protein	2	2-4	1 cooked egg; 1 ounce cooked meat, poultry, or seafood; 1 tablespoon nut butter; 1/4 cup cooked legumes
Milk	2	2	1 cup milk or yogurt; 2 ounces processed American cheese; 1 1/2 ounces natural cheese, such as cheddar (low-fat for ages 2 and older)