How much does a 16 month old need to eat each day?

What the evidence says

At 16 months, your toddler doesn't need a set number of calories or grams of food. Health Canada's guidance is to offer a variety of foods from all food groups at regular meals and snacks, in portions roughly one-quarter to one-half the size of an adult's, and then let your child decide how much of that to actually eat. Most toddlers do well with about 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day, offered every 2-3 hours.

It's completely normal for appetite to swing from day to day or even meal to meal, since growth slows down a lot after the first birthday compared to infancy. On milk: Health Canada advises offering about 500 mL of whole (3.25%) cow's milk a day if not breastfeeding, and capping milk at no more than 750 mL a day so it doesn't crowd out other foods. If still breastfeeding, continue as long as you and your child want, alongside solids.

Rather than counting calories, focus on offering a variety of foods including iron-rich options (meat, fish, eggs, legumes), vegetables and fruit, whole grains, and dairy, and trust your toddler to self-regulate intake. If you're worried about growth or intake, a dietitian or your child's doctor can check their growth curve rather than relying on a daily food tally.