Wondering how many meals your growing toddler should have each day? This example schedule provides guidance.

Most toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 thrive on three meals and two to three healthy snacks daily. Their high energy levels, paired with their small stomach capacity, mean they need to eat more frequently than adults — typically every two to three hours — to stay energized.

Consistency is Key: Offer snacks at consistent times each day rather than on demand. A good routine might include a mid-morning snack and a mid-afternoon snack. Add a third snack if there’s a long gap between meals. For early risers, a pre-breakfast snack might help tide them over until everyone is ready to eat. Similarly, a bedtime snack can help kids who stay up late or skip dinner.

By serving meals and snacks at regular, predictable intervals, you can prevent over-hunger, which often leads to crankiness. A routine also helps your toddler know when to expect food, reducing the likelihood of constant snack requests.

Toddler Feeding Chart: How Much Should I Feed My Toddler?

Start with small portions tailored to their tiny stomachs and let your toddler ask for more if needed. Here are examples of toddler-appropriate portion sizes:

Grains:

• 1/4 to 1/2 slice of bread
• 1/2 muffin or bagel
• 1/4 cup cooked pasta or grains
• 1/4 cup dry cereal
• 1 to 3 crackers

Fruits:

• 1/2 piece of fresh fruit
• 1/4 cup cooked or canned fruit

Vegetables:

• 1 tablespoon of cooked vegetables per year of age
• 1/4 small raw vegetable, cut into age-appropriate pieces

Dairy:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup yogurt
• 1/2 ounce cheese (a tablespoon of grated cheese, half of a slice, or a 1-inch cube)

Protein:

• 1 to 2 ounces of meat or tofu (two to four 1-inch cubes or 2 to 4 tablespoons of ground meat)
• 1/2 to 1 egg
• 2 to 4 tablespoons of beans or legumes
• 1 tablespoon of smooth nut butter (spread thinly to avoid choking)

These portions are a starting point. Adjust based on your toddler’s hunger and activity level. Forcing them to eat when they’re not hungry or restricting wholesome foods when they want more can disrupt their natural hunger cues.

Sample Toddler Feeding Schedules

Having a predictable schedule can help maintain your toddler’s energy levels and create a sense of routine. Below are examples of feeding schedules tailored to different routines:

Simple Toddler Feeding Schedule:

• 7:00 a.m.: Wake up
• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 10:00 a.m.: Morning snack
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 1:30 p.m.: Nap
• 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon snack
• 5:30 p.m.: Dinner
• 7:00 p.m.: Bed

Toddler Feeding Schedule for Early Risers:

• 6:00 a.m.: Wake up, pre-breakfast snack
• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 10:00 a.m.: Morning snack
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 1:30 p.m.: Nap
• 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon snack
• 5:30 p.m.: Dinner
• 7:00 p.m.: Bed

Toddler Feeding Schedule for Night Owls:

• 7:00 a.m.: Wake up
• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 10:00 a.m.: Morning snack
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 1:30 p.m.: Nap
• 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon snack
• 5:30 p.m.: Dinner
• 7:30 p.m.: Pre-bed snack
• 8:00 p.m.: Bed

Toddler Feeding Schedule for Daycare:
If your toddler is famished after daycare but dinner isn’t ready, offer a light pre-dinner snack. A few veggies from dinner prep are a great option.

• 7:00 a.m.: Wake up
• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 10:00 a.m.: Morning snack
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 1:30 p.m.: Nap
• 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon snack
• 5:30 p.m.: Pre-dinner snack
• 6:00 p.m.: Dinner
• 7:00 p.m.: Bed

Final Thoughts on Toddler Feeding

Feeding toddlers can be challenging, but establishing a routine and letting your little one control how much they eat makes mealtime less stressful. A consistent schedule helps manage energy levels, promotes healthy eating habits, and prevents the constant grazing that can interfere with their natural hunger and fullness cues.