Help, I need toddler food ideas?

Question

My 15 month old detests baby food, she doesn't even like the stage 3 stuff, she seems to prefer to feed herself (food that she can pick up). What are some good nutritional on the go foods I can feed a toddler besides Mac and cheese and goldfish crackers? This is my first baby, so I am completely stupmed on this one. Thanks.

Answer 1

I have tons of ideas! I'll give you some "main course" ideas and then a list of "sides" to go with them so you can mix and match..hope they help :-)

-Crackers, sliced cheese, and sliced lunch meat
-Meat & cheese sandwich cut into fourths
-Chicken nuggets
-Fish sticks
-Plain breadsticks with cheese, marinara, or just some jelly to dip them in
-Peanut butter & jelly sandwich cut into fourths



-Baby carrots
-Cut up brocolli or cauliflower
-Sliced peaches or pears
-A cup of applesauce
-Sliced bananas

Answer 2

Someone mentioned the Gerber food, and I just want to reiterate how great those foods are. They make a whole line of toddler food called Graduates and they are perfect for any little toddler! The website gives nutritional information and also compares it to other foods of the same kind; their food is specially made to give toddlers the nutrients they need.
I highly recomend this line of products, I work at a preschool with the 2 year olds and many parents send this for their kids and they all love it!
I also recomend being very careful with the ones you heat up, in my experience (or maybe just the microwave where I work) the heating time they give you makes it too hot for little ones. I would try it at smaller time amounts until it is warm enough the first time to find a time that makes it just right for your little one.

Answer 3

Good mom for finding healthy foods to start your baby on the right track!

Many of the Kimkins Diet members say that junk food habits started when they were young. They wish that their parents had picked healthier foods for them to eat.

Most important is keep junk food away, candy, cookies and other empty calories. On occasion is fine, but not every day.

I never fed my kids commercial baby food. I bought a small food processor (Oskar) and simply ground up whatever we ate. Steamed veggies, baked chicken, stewed fruits, just add a bit of broth or cooking liquid.

When my kids were your daughter's age I diced food so they could feed themselves. Toddlers are so independent! I diced steamed carrots, squash, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, etc. I also diced low fat cheese and non-nitrate deli ham, turkey or chicken.

Yogurt or homemade yogurt popsicles are good, also.

You're setting the foundation for what your kids will like. Good mom!

Answer 4

Here are some food ideas for your toddler...
Core an apple and stuff the inside with peanut butter. Top with raisins, nuts, sunflower seeds or toasted coconut. The filling will keep the cut apple from turning brown.

Cream cheese and jelly sandwiches, or spread bread with cream cheese and top with dried fruits like raisins, apples or apricots.

Mash a banana together with cream cheese and top with fresh apple, pineapple or peach slices.

Pack fresh fruit with yogurt dip.

Make fancy sandwiches by cutting shapes out of the bread with a cookie cutter (use the crusts and scraps to make breadcrumbs or croutons). Kids love the novelty and will be more likely to finish their lunch.
And a few more suggestions:


Pop-tarts

Individual servings of applesauce

Hot dog (already cut up and ready for dipping -- save fast food ketchup packs to send with their lunches)

Tiny boxes of raisins

String cheese
Please note that many of these foods can present choking hazards to children under three. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the following foods to be dangerous for children under the age of three: Nuts, hard candy, grapes, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raw carrots, popcorn and apples. The AAP also recommends that all toddler food be cut into thin slices to prevent choking.

I hope some of these ideas please your daughter!

Answer 5

My toddler was a picky eater. Here are some of the things she really liked...

peas (fun for her to chase around with her fingers too)
cheerios - definitely
Snap pea crisps - alot more chain stores carry these now...I originally found them at Trader Joes
Freeze dried fruit (Gerber makes some I think)
Fruit stars (again, made by Gerber, I think)
Cous Cous with marinara sauce
Alphabet Vegetables (aka - alphabet pasta with pureed veggies in it - found at my local Holistic food store)

One suggestion I read in a parenting book by Dr. Sears (he's awesome):
Use an ice cube tray to feed your toddler. Put a little of alot of things in there to vary their diet and get them to try new things. It's fun for them to reach into the small cubbies to get their food too!

Answer 6

Gerber Graduates (you can find them in the grocery store ) has tons of different finger foods for kids. Loaded with iron, calcium, zinc and everything growing babys need. Check it out next time at the store.

Answer 7

My Dr told me when mine were young that hot dogs werenot good to feed a small child..to give the the vienna sausages instead..do not think they are esp healthy..but I did buy them a few times..macaroni noodles with tuna mixed in it was a good thing also..

Answer 8

CHERIO'S KIDS LOVE THEM