Toddler Portion Sizes

Now that the girls are officially toddlers, it was only a matter of time before my feeding focus turned to the question of how much should my toddlers eat daily. A bit of research later and here's what I found out.

How many calories does a toddler need? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) a toddler needs 40 calories per inch of height. This is the maximum they'll need and it can be lower based on activity level.

What's a toddler serving size? One quarter of an adult serving. For vegetables, one serving is one tablespoon per year/age.
One meat serving is about the size of the toddler's hand (I love this tip. Easy to remember)

How much milk does a toddler need? The consensus is 16 to 24oz daily. Milk is the primary source of protein and calcium. Dairy products like yogurt and cheese can be substitutes but not necessarily ounce for ounce.

Sources
AAP website
Earth's Best examples of toddler portion sizes from age 1 to 6
iVillage - Toddler nutritional requirement for 1-3 year olds
Toddler feeding guide from the Canadian Pediatric Society
Wholesome Toddler Food - Some links are broken but still a good resource