How much food should your child eat?

When it comes to our kids, we want them to be healthy in all aspects of growth and development and we want them to be happy. A huge part of being healthy is living well with nutrition being a top priority. We want to ensure our children are physically fit. So how do you know if your child is nutritionally cared for? How can you ensure your child is getting the recommended foods. How much food should your child eat?

To understand more, nutrition experts compiled this guide of just how much food children need at every age category.


Age	Texture	Frequency	Amount of food an average child will normally eat at each meal
At 6 months	You may begin with thick porridge, and well mashed foods. The mashed foods and porridge should be thick enough not to run off the spoon	Feed your child 2 times a day plus frequent breast-feed.	2 table spoon each feed and you may increase to three tablespoons in the 3rd to 4th week
7-8 months	Mashed or pureed family foods is recommended, by 8 months your baby can start eating finger food.	Your child may eat 3 meals per day plus frequent breastfeeds	You may increase the amount of food gradually to half (½) cup (250ml cup). In addition, you can use a separate bowl for the child.
9-11 months	Give your child finely chopped or mashed foods, and foods that baby can pick up	Feed your baby complementary foods 4 times a day (3 meals and 1 snack).For instance, snacks may include, ripe banana, mango boiled potato etc. Plus breastfeeds	As the child grows increase the amount of food. Give half (¾) cup of the 250 ml cup daily family food. Additionally, use a separate plate to serve the babies food.
12-23 months	At this age you can cut food into small, soft pieces so that your child can pick, chew and swallow comfortably.	Feed your baby complementary foods 5 times a day (3 meals and 2 snack). For instance, snacks may be, ripe banana, mango, boiled potato etc plus breast feeds	Give your child 1 cup of 250ml cup. Further, you can use a separate plate to make sure young child eats all the food given.
24-59 months	For this category, cut food into small, soft pieces so that your child can pick, chew and swallow comfortably.	Feed your baby 5 times (three meals and 2 snacks). For example, the snacks may include ripe banana, mango, boiled potato	Give your child 1½ -2 cups of 250ml cup. Moreover, use a separate plate to make sure young child eats all the food given.