Toddlers don't starve themselves to death, but that doesn't stop you worrying when they have had nothing but a few biscuits and a couple of grapes. Children's energy and nutritional needs vary widely, even between siblings, and they can thrive on less food than parents might expect.  

Some children need to eat little and often. If they can't make it through to meal time then choose healthy options like cheese, or fruit and veg. Offer nutrient-rich snacks rather than 'empty' food that just takes the edge off their hunger. Mannabears are an excellent option.

Some children prefer to eat from small plates. If you're worried about how much they are eating, it's a good idea to keep a record. Aside from giving you a more balanced view, it's very useful if you want to seek advice from your health visitor or GP.

For a fuller description of what's in Manna Bears, click here

Reassuring food facts

•  Toddlers have small stomachs - about the size of a small fist
•  Don't worry too much about pushing wholegrains - young children's stomachs can't cope with too  much  wholemeal pasta and brown rice, and too much fibre can sometimes affect their body's  absorption of  nutrients, so don't feel guilty about offering white pasta and white bread
•  Toddlers don't have an adult desire for a wide variety of foods and many prefer the same things  every day.  Most of them grow out of this by school age (only to lose it again when they become  students)
•  A cold meal can be just as nutritious as a hot meal - bread, cheese, fruit and veg make a nutritious  meal. There's not much nutritional difference between a home-made pizza and a cheese and tomato  sandwich
•  Guidelines recommend at least 30% of a toddler's calories should come from fat (not specifically  chocolate  buttons, of course)
•  An egg contains 13 vitamins and minerals and 6g of protein (your toddler needs about 16g of protein  a day)

Food facts checked by Anna Suckling RD, on behalf of the British Dietetic Association

Calcium: your toddler needs 350mg a day

    8oz (200ml) full cream milk - 250mg

   150g pot yoghurt - 225mg

   1oz cheese (matchbox size) - 220mg

   1 small pot cottage cheese - 150mg

   1oz mozzarella (matchbox size) - 150mg

   1 sweet potato - 70mg

   Small can baked beans - 80mg

Iron: your toddler needs about 7mg a day

    1 slice of roast beef - 1.4mg

   3 tablespoons of baked beans - 1.7mg

   2 dried figs - 1.7mg

   1 slice wholemeal bread - 1mg

   1 boiled egg - 1mg

The iron in red meat is most easily absorbed by the body. Serve iron-rich foods with a source of vitamin C, such as fruit or veg or fruit juice, because the body needs vitamin C to absorb iron

Protein: your toddler needs 12-15g a day (depending on their weight)

    8oz milk - 8g

   1 small pot yoghurt - 4g

   1 large egg - 6g

   1oz cheddar cheese - 7g

   1oz chicken - 7g

   3oz tofu - 7g

   1/4 tin baked beans - 1.4mg

   Tbsp of peanut butter - 7g

   Small bag of chocolate buttons - 2.5g (shhh!)

Information found on www.mumsnet.com/toddlers/fussy-eaters