At 1-2 years, toddlers need a wide variety of healthy foods. You decide what your child eats from the 5 food groups. Your toddler decides whether to eat and how much. Think about what your toddler eats over a week, rather than a day.

You can keep breastfeeding for as long as it suits you both. Your toddler doesn’t need formula after 12 months.

Toddler appetites vary from day to day. Suggested daily serves are ½ serve of fruit; 2-3 serves of vegetables; 1-1½ serves of dairy; 4 serves of cereals and grains; and 1 serve of lean meats, eggs, nut or seed pastes (like peanut butter, almond butter or tahini), or legumes.

Toddlers need 4 cups (1 L) of fluid each day. Water is the best drink for toddlers. They can also have pasteurised, full-fat cow’s milk.

Toddlers should avoid soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured milk or water, sports drinks and energy drinks.

Fruit: 1 serve = 1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear; or 2 small plums, kiwi fruits or apricots; or 1 cup diced or canned fruit drained (no added sugar). Offer ½ serve each day.

Vegetables: 1 serve = ½ medium potato (or sweet potato or corn); or ½ cup cooked vegetables (like broccoli, spinach, carrots or pumpkin); or 1 cup green leafy or raw salad vegetables; or ½ cup cooked, dried or canned beans or lentils. Offer 2-3 serves each day.

Cereals and grains: 1 serve = 1 slice of bread; or ½ cup cooked rice, pasta, noodles, quinoa or polenta; or ½ cup porridge; or ⅔ cup wheat cereal flakes; or ¼ cup muesli; or 1 crumpet or small English muffin. Wholegrain is best. Offer 4 serves each day.

Dairy or dairy alternatives: 1 serve = 1 cup (250 ml) pasteurised cow’s milk; or 1 cup soy, rice, almond or oat milk with at least 100 mg of added calcium per 100 ml; or 2 slices cheese; or ¾ cup (200 g) yoghurt; or ½ cup ricotta cheese. Choose full-fat dairy where possible. Offer 1-1½ serves each day.

Speak to your doctor before giving your toddler dairy alternatives.

Meat and meat alternatives: 1 serve = 65 g cooked lean beef, lamb, veal or pork; or 80 g cooked lean chicken or turkey; or 100 g cooked fish fillet; or 170 g cooked tofu; or 2 large eggs; or 1 cup cooked lentils, chickpeas or canned beans; or 1½ tablespoons nut or seed pastes (whole nuts are a choking risk). Offer 1 serve each day.

Healthy fats: you can include 1 serve of unsaturated fats per day in cooking, baking, pastes or dressings. 1 serve = 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 g) of olive, canola and rice bran oil or margarine made from these oils; or 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 g) of nut or seed pastes; or 1 tablespoon (20 g) of avocado.

Avoid foods like chips, cakes, biscuits, lollies, processed meats, and fried or takeaway foods. They can be high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.