What to Feed a One Year Old

Introduce one food at a time to your 1-year-old.

By the time your child reaches his first birthday, he has passed many milestones: first smile, first tooth, crawling and maybe even walking. Your child is also ready to try new foods that aren't completely pulverized. Your 1-year-old is ready to eat just about anything the rest of the family is eating, as long as it isn't a choking hazard or highly allergenic. Foods for your toddler still need to be relatively soft and small, but your child will enjoy experiencing a variety of new foods and different textures that he wasn't ready for a couple of months ago.

When to Start Table Food

As your baby reaches his first birthday, he will be transitioning into more table foods. Meals don't need to be pureed anymore, and he can use his new teeth to experience new textures. However, a 1-year-old also likes to put non-food items in his mouth, so take care to keep small and dangerous objects out of reach.

Tips for Feeding Your 1-Year-Old

Most 1-year-olds enjoy feeding themselves and may even resist being spoon-fed--so be prepared for a little bit of mess at mealtimes. Special bowls and spoons are available to make the self-feeding process a little easier. Try feeding your toddler soft pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables that have been cooled. If your toddler would like to practice eating with a spoon, try feeding him something that sticks easily to the spoon, such as oatmeal. Your 1-year-old might go through periods when he only wants to eat certain foods, such as mostly breads or fruits. Keep offering a variety of foods to your child to make sure he gets the nutrition he needs.

Types of Foods to Feed Your 1-Year-Old

There are many types of food to feed a 1-year-old, but make sure you choose foods that have nutritional value. A 1-year-old's appetite may decrease because his growth has slowed somewhat, or because he is more interested in his newfound mobility than in eating. Don't worry: Your child will let you know when he is ready to eat more. In general, a 1-year-old should be eating two to three servings of full-fat dairy, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruits and vegetables, four servings of whole grains (serving is 1/4 to 1/3 of adult portion) and two servings (1/2 oz. each) of protein daily.

Food Warnings for Toddlers

Even though most 1-year-olds are ready for most table foods, certain foods should not be introduced until much later. Some foods pose a choking hazard to your 1-year-old. These include hot dogs, large chunks of food, nuts, small hard candies and popcorn. Some foods can also cause allergic reactions if introduced too early. Don't feed your child the following foods until he is 3 years old: shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts (including peanut butter) and egg whites (can be introduced at age 2).

Expert Insight

Introduce one new food at a time to your child, then watch for allergic reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include vomiting, rash, diarrhea, swelling, excessive gas, runny nose, shortness of breath, stomach pain, crankiness and wheezing. If you suspect that your child is having an allergic reaction to something he ate, call your doctor immediately.

Resources

• BabyCenter: Toddler Feeding Problems & Concerns