What does a 2-year-old eat?

A 2-year-old's diet is one where he eats much of what the family eats, but some foods still need attention to form and salt. A general picture:

Main meals (3 daily):

• Meat/chicken/turkey/fish (small pieces, boneless)
• Eggs (boiled, scrambled, in a dish)
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans—well mashed or fork-pressed)
• Vegetable dishes (oil-based, with meat, soups)
• Pasta, rice, bulgur, bread
• Yogurt, cheese (low-salt, small cubes)

Snacks (1–2 daily):

• Fresh seasonal fruits (apple, banana, pear, peach, grapes, strawberry—small soft pieces; grapes halved lengthwise)
• Yogurt or kefir (with optional fruit puree)
• Small piece of cheese + whole wheat bread
• Boiled potato or sweet potato
• Homemade low-sugar cake or cookie (occasionally)

Things to watch:

• Choking risk: grapes, cherry tomatoes, sausage, whole nuts, hard candy, popcorn—should be cut; whole nuts and popcorn not until age 4.
• Salt and sugar: don't add extra salt; avoid packaged cookies and fruit juice.
• Cow's milk: no more than 400–500 ml daily; too much interferes with iron absorption.
• Main drink: water; milk and buttermilk with meals.

Portions are small—about one-third of an adult's meal per serving. Appetite varies day to day; that's normal.

Note: This information is not medical advice; please consult your doctor about medications and doses.