There is a USDA Web site that allows you to develop the food pyramid recommendations (amounts from specific food groups daily) for children of specific ages, sex, and activity levels: www.mypyramid.gov.
Go to "My Pyramid Plan," and enter the age, sex, and activity level of your toddler for details.
As far as serving sizes, here are some ideas:
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup servings of most things (fruit, vegetables, bread, rice, cereal)
• 1/2 cup lowfat milk
• 1 tbs of cheeses and peanut butter
• 1 oz of meat.
These are typical servings. Toddlers should not be force fed. They often do best with three smaller meals and one or two healthy snacks. Juices should be kept to a minimum due to the high sugar content and lack of fiber. Water should be encouraged. A tablespoon is the size of a pinky finger, an ounce is the size of a thumb, and a child's fist is about 1/4 to 1/2 cup or the palm of a parent's hand.
