By this stage your child should be eating the same meals as the rest of the family.

Toddlers appetites vary so don’t be upset if they don’t eat well on any one day.

Toddlers can eat everything one day and just seem to pick the next. Provided they are growing at a healthy rate there is no need to worry, this is part of growing up.

Keep offering and encouraging new foods so they have a well-balanced diet.

Most children like to eat little and often as they have tiny stomach.

It’s easier for them to have 3 small meals with 2/3 snacks in between then 3 big meals.

Tips for encouraging your toddler to eat well

• Offer a wide variety of food including their favorite food regularly
• Offer small portions more often
• Give your toddler enough time to eat
• Sit down as a family at meal time whenever possible
• Involve your toddler in preparing and cooking i.e. washing vegetables
• Do not force your child to eat
• Do not use food or sweats as a reward or punishment

Healthy snack suggestions for toddlers

• Bite sized chunks of apple or pear
• Seedless satsuma
• Carrot, pepper, cucumber or courgette sticks
• Slices of cherry tomato
• Squares of toast with peanut butter
• Mini sandwiches of tuna, cheese, mashed banana
• Bread sticks with soft cheese
• Boiled egg cut into quarters with toasted soldiers
• Low salt oat cakes, crackers
• Natural yogurt and chopped fresh fruit
• Muffins, pancakes, cheese scones
• Unsalted popcorn