From 18 to 36 months: what are the nutritional needs of children?

From a year and a half to three years, our child’s brain will gain 2 grams per day! So he needs for good growth that its nutritional intake is complete. We take stock.

Between 18 and 36 months: how many calories per day for my child?

Between the middle of his first year and his third year, our child grows on average by 20%, put on weight by 40% and his brain takes 2 grams per day ! As a result, he needs the “right” full of energy, around 1 calories per day, provided in four meals, and an appropriate distribution of three food families :

• 20 to 35 g per day of protein (meat, fish, egg) or 6 teaspoons or half an egg
• 30 to 40 g of lipids or fats, or 3 teaspoons of fat (butter, oil, or more rarely, cream)
• 130 to 165 g of carbohydrates (sugars, starches, fiber), i.e. 3 tablespoons with all meals or 1/3 the amount of vegetables
• 500 to 800 ml of growth milk and other dairy products (cheeses, dairy products)
• And always, full of vitamins and minerals with 5 servings of 80 g of vegetables and fruit per day, spread over the 4 meals.

These recommendations vary depending on your child’s growth and appetite and should be understood as averages. We can also offer baby water with low mineral content between meals and during meals.

What fruits and vegetables for a child from 18 months?

now all vegetables are allowed, even those that tend to ferment (from the cabbage, artichoke and salsify family in particular). At the level of portions to give it, count: 5-6 tablespoons at 2 years and 8-9 at 3 years.

Raw vegetables, less digestible than cooked vegetables, are systematically part of one of his meals, in larger quantities than before: approximately 2 tablespoons. Even those of cabbage, celery (except allergy), mushrooms and tender green salads (oak leaves, lettuce, lamb’s lettuce), still cut into strips, can be added to its diet.

On the fruit side: currants, blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries will be the newcomers (portion: 2 to 3 tablespoons or half a fresh fruit, two or three times a day) as soon as they are in season! Do not hesitate to offer him to nibble, from time to time, Dried fruit (dates, figs, prunes) and oleaginous, crushed then crushed (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds), provided that the baby is of course not allergic.

From 2 years old, starchy foods in all forms on baby’s plate

After 2 years, your child can enjoy different breads if it digests them well (whole or with seeds but not with bran). He still eats infant cereals (in “flour” but also in petals and flakes). As for portions, give him a 1 / 8th of a baguette or 1 slice of bread or 4 to 5 tablespoons of infant cereal.

The “must”: pasta, rice and potatoes are part of the meals, but we also think wheat, bulgur, corn, quinoa and other cereals as a “garnish” once or twice a day, often in combination with vegetables. As soon as it eats real small pieces, the rice does not need to be as cooked as before, nor the pasta so fine. The shells are welcome.

Pulses are an integral part of our child’s diet but it is recommended to reduce them further to a puree.

Dairy products for children between 18 and 36 months

Between 18 and 36 months, a child needs 500 ml minimum growth milkper day. These are adapted to his needs (in calcium, iron, essential fatty acids), even if, after 2 years, our baby can also taste “homemade” or “classic” dairy desserts. In addition, we can offer him some dairy products (cottage cheese, yogurt, petit-suisse, etc.) or cheeses (all but hard, richer in calcium).

Meat, fish, eggs: extended palette for babies from 18 months

Animal proteins supplement baby’s diet, always once a day at the rate of 20/30 g, approximately around 18-24 months, and 30/35 g around 24-36 months. Are now allowed fish and more “tasty” and fatty meats (duck, lamb, mutton, tuna, mackerel, salmon), but preferably cooked without fat (in foil or poached) and served in small pieces. However, we limit consumption breaded and fried meat and fish. The egg, twice a week, can be used in all its recipes: fried, scrambled, omelet, poached… but always in quantities adapted to its age.

Fat: with good reason on baby’s plate after 18 months

The fatare still essentially fresh butter, a little cream or a drizzle of oil. You can start to introduce fried foods (once a week maximum), gratins from time to time, or more fatty meat and fish. Beware of hidden, unnecessary fats (cookies, cakes, pizzas, sauces …) and too generous portions for this age: we cut our child 1 / 16th of Camembert rather than 1 / 8th, we offer him a mini-burger and a mini-cone of fries, but not the “medium” size and even less maxi …