Baby self-feeding| Your toddler, the independent eater

His ability to grasp now means your child will be easily picking up his food with two to three fingers instead of his entire hand.

Gone are the days of spoon-feeding them purées, it’s time to roll out the wipeable mat for your independent eater! Let your toddler lead the way on their adventures in food. 

Mealtimes are a great opportunity for the family to come together to share food and enjoy each other’s company. In addition, family mealtimes have benefits beyond happy shared experiences—eating together with family members can teach your toddler healthy eating habits that may last a lifetime.

Healthy eating habits are set early in life

The eating habits your toddler is developing now may stay with them as they get older. It’s as much about the way you offer food as what you offer them. Follow our guide to encouraging healthy-eating habits for a lifetime, with advice from Lisa Fries, PhD, a feeding behavior expert and scientist at the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences in Switzerland.

Good role models at family meals help your developing independent eater

Did you know? As they reach 12-18 months old, toddlers may be more likely to miss out on several key nutrients.

By the time your toddler is two years old, their eating patterns will be established. That’s why it’s important to think about which foods are on (and off) your shopping list now.

Wondering what and how much you should be serving at mealtimes? This handy menu planner will make it easy for you to offer your toddler nutritious meals and mini meals that include foods from all the food groups, in age-appropriate serving sizes. Get inspired!

Does your little one want plain pasta for dinner every night? Or refuse to eat anything green? Here are some ways to make sure your fussy eater is getting enough variety in their diet.

Find out what’s going into the mouths of growing children in different countries around the world and some tips to find the right nutritional balance.

Did you know? Toddlers may get up to 25% of the calories they need from snacks.

By one year of age, your little one should be eating a variety of foods from the four food groups in Canada's Food Guide. He’s likely discovering new tastes, textures and skills. As he continues to grow, new food challenges may arise. Variety becomes more important and eating as a family takes centre stage.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits when preparing food for your toddler. Find out how some simple swaps and small changes can make their meals and mini meals healthier.

Got a hungry toddler? Here are some hunger and fullness cues to watch out for during your toddler's development.

Look back at the healthy habits you’ve encouraged, which have helped your toddler grow so far, and look forward to the exciting developments to come.

In order to meet their nutritional and energy needs, your toddler may need to eat between their main meals. Think of the snacks that you offer as “mini meals”, providing essential nutrition as part of a balanced diet.

Did you know? Many children around the world are missing out on essential fibre and whole grains.

Your toddler has come a long way since that first spoonful of puree went in (and probably came straight back out again!). Knowing what to expect from your toddler developmentally can help make family mealtimes more pleasant for the whole family. Here’s how you can help continue their journey towards becoming an independent, healthy eater.