Your baby is probably eating in a high chair or booster seat at the table and possibly finds the foods you and other adults eat fascinating. During this year, your child will be able to alternate between whole foods (cut into small pieces) and baby food, which is typically puréed.

As long as the foods you give your baby are natural with little additional fat and sugar, then it's your preference (and his) as to what form of food he eats. Puréed food is better if he has very few teeth or needs to be fed with a spoon, but as he gets a little older, he'll be fine with small pieces of food that he can pick up and feed to himself.

When preparing whole food for your child, you'll need to be sure it is easy for him to chew and digest, as well as handle with his fingers. Peel fruits, since apple skins, for example, are difficult for little tongues to handle. Likewise, peel vegetables, such as carrots. You should also steam or boil carrots and other vegetables to make them softer for your child. Meats are often difficult for young children to chew and swallow, so making these into purées is the best idea.

A good snack — like a healthy meal — is composed of a protein (egg, cheese, meat) and a carbohydrate (fruit, vegetables, whole-grain bread) as well as a little natural fat (such as that found in the protein foods). Most snacks that are convenient, such as chips and sugary foods, are not nutritious and won't help your child feel full. They may also contribute to bad moods and irritability.

Baby Food

Many one-year-olds are ready to move from jarred baby foods, which are very soft, to finger foods, which are also packaged by food manufacturers. These products are often just the right size for little fingers, and the noodles and little bits of chicken or beef are small enough for them to swallow without choking.

When purchasing baby food, look for all-natural and organic products with little or no added fat and sugar. Read the ingredient list to see if sugar, for example, has been added to tomato sauce or a lot of salt has been put into an entrée. Your child does not need a lot of added seasonings to be stimulated and attracted to his food. The only place where he might need some flavor is with his vegetables, since the bitterness of broccoli, for example, can offend a young child's palate. However, you can purchase puréed vegetable combinations (such as broccoli and carrots) that are naturally sweeter without added fat or sugar.

Portion Sizes

Your child's stomach is very small, only slightly larger than your fist, so she can't fit a lot of food into it at once. Parents often think their child isn't eating enough, even if she acts full or stops eating, but really, children are naturally good judges of how much they should eat. She will want to graze throughout the day, and you should offer her frequent snacks so that her mood and energy level stay relatively even. At any one time, your one-year-old will only need about the amount of food that fits into a small child-sized bowl (one- to three-quarters of a cup). A quarter cup of noodles, one slice of turkey, slices of a small apple, or a few orange sections are enough for one sitting.

Choking Hazards

A one-year-old must always be watched when he's eating because he can easily choke if he puts too much food in his mouth. Most small children have a habit of stuffing their mouths full. Encourage your child to take very small bites and to chew. Some foods that a one-year-old should not be given are nuts, whole grapes, large pieces of meat, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, and popcorn.

If you notice your child gagging, move his head forward and put your finger in his mouth and try to get the food out without moving your finger near his throat. If your baby doesn't seem to be breathing or if he begins to get very red, he may truly be choking. Call 911 immediately.