Written by Jackie McKenzie

Are you worried about how much your child eats? If so, you are not alone. Many parents worry that their child is not eating enough, especially among the toddler and preschool years. Often, what may seem like a small amount of food to an adult is quite a lot of food for a young child.

When considering what is normal, Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating can help you plan and choose a variety of healthy meals and snacks for your child. The recommended serving will depend on the age and sex of your child but for young children, half of the food guide serving of an adult is typically appropriate.

For example:

Snack: ½ c fruit, 1/3-1/2 c yogurt

Lunch: ½ piece bread with 1 T peanut butter, ¼ raw carrot, ½ c milk

It is best to strive for 3 food groups at a meal and 2 food groups at a snack. Start with small amounts of food and they can always ask for more if hungry. Snacks are an important part of a child’s total energy intake and should be made the most of. Children must eat frequently through the day requiring three meals and 2 or 3 healthy snacks to meet their daily nutrient needs.

Growth is the best indicator for whether or not your child is getting enough. If your child is growing normally, seems healthy and has energy to play, he/she is probably getting enough. If you are still concerned, follow-up with your family doctor to ensure that your child’s pattern of weight gain is appropriate for their growth chart.

Reference for food guide for young children:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/choose-choix/advice-conseil/child-enfant_wide-eng.php