Anyone have good snack ideas for a 16 month old??

Question

Having trouble getting my 16 month old to eat much of anything lately! Does anyone have any good ideas for snack time? Or ideas on how to get her to eat more fruits and vegetables? I always offer them first and she'll eat a little but then just throws them! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! thanks!

Answer 1

I've never met a toddler that doesn't like blueberries. Also if she has teeth, get an apple corer/slicer (about $15). All you got to do is spin the handle and in seconds the apple is skinned, cored and sliced. If she has no teeth, chop up a banana in to bite size chunks and put a very small amount of colorful sprinkles on it. Kids her age love to make a little mess ( I know this doesnt sound ideal, but would you rather have to clean up a small mess, or have a nutrient deficiant child?) Give her slightly softened baby carrots, or other veggies to dip (try ranch dressing, apple butter or pumpkin butter). Motts makes applesauce with no sugar added in convienant serving cups for much cheaper than gerber's sugared up stuff. Get a can of diced tomatoes, drain them, and mix them in with mac and cheese. Find healthy recipies for zuccinni, and banana bread. Throw some dried or fresh cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, or raisons in when you make muffins.

Only give her a small amount at a time. Then when she finishes that, give her more. I did all this with my son and he ate so much more this way. When I put it all in front of him at once, that's when food fights happend.
Good luck to you

Answer 2

It's possible she's simply not hungry at the time. Don't ever try to make a child eat when they're not hungry - if you teach them to override their body's natural hunger signals, you'll eventually have an overweight daughter on your hands, with all the attendant health risks. Just keep healthy food on hand at all times and keep the junk food out of the house. Eventually she'll develop the good habits you want her to have.

And don't fret if she doesn't eat much for awhile - every child goes through growth spurts where they eat like there's no tomorrow, and then they enter a resting phase when they eat less than usual. It's normal, so don't worry, she won't starve. Her body won't let her.

One last thought - is she throwing food because she gets a juicy reaction out of you? She's starting to reach an age where she's learning how much control she has over those around her. Maybe it's not about the food, maybe it's about pushing Mommy's buttons. ;-)

Answer 3

I have a 15 month daughter. She eats fruits blended as a drink. I use frozen fruit. I recently tried pineapple tidbits and she loves them. (fresh not frozen) As for vege's I prepare mixed out of can and let her pick them up with fingers. (carrots, lima beans, green beans, peas, potatoes) She loves to eat crackers, pizza crusts, sliced lunch meats. I buy Gerbers cereal puffs opposed to cheerios because the puffs melt in mouth. She has choked on the cheerios. She tends to eat more instead of throwing the food when other children are eating with her.
Vienna sausages were always a favorite. Now her favorite is the thick cheese puffs.

Answer 4

Gerber has some good snacks with veggies and fruits. Also, one thing you can give her is raisins. They are not just good for her, kids seem to love them. My son does. They are also really good for them if they have a constipation problem. Plenty of fiber in them to help keep them regular. Kids go through phases where they eat like a horse one minute, and the next you'd think they are starving. Give her time, she'll come around. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

My mom used to give my little brother these little star shaped snacks (from Wal-Mart) that are made from fruits and vegetables. Sorry I don't know the name of them. Or maybe try mashed potatoes and put garlic salt in it and she if she will like that. Sorry if my suggestions don't help but I hope you find something that helps. I know how you feel when a toddler doesn't want to eat their vegetables.

Answer 6

Don't worry about her not eating - babies go through stages like that. Cheerios are always good and so are Teddy Grahams. If she will only eat a little, only offer a little. Grapes cut in half, banana slices, melon cubes - all are good, just not too much at once. Sometimes they get overwhelmed by too much choice.

Answer 7

I couldn't get my son to eat vegetables at all.... until I tried this.. Carrots.. In ice water in the fridge for about 15 minutes.. He loves it... and now I do it with almost all of his veggies and he just eats them up... But depending on whether or not your child has a fair amount of teeth, this may or may not work for you.

Answer 8

yogurt covered cheerios would be a good choice, make sure she can handle them and doesnt choke of course. and there should be foods for her age group in the grocery store that she may like to snack on. After they stop eating baby food alot of times you forget to go back to that section and check for toddler crackers and cookies.

Answer 9

A few suggestions: a half of banana, cheerios, strawberries, yogurt.

It might help to get her involved in preparing the food. For instance, if you are giving her half of a banana, (you) cut it, and let her take the peel off. Or, with cheerios, allow her to help you pour it in a small cup or bowl. Or, with strawberries, ask her if she wants to help you pull off the green part.

Sometimes, allowing them to help you will make them interested in eating it.

Answer 10

If you sneak stuff in other stuff, she may develop a taste for it. Our 17month old, likes bits of toritlla with cheese in it, so can sneak in small cut up veggies in there for example. We also do this with PB and cut up craisens - those are also good in oatmeal (and we add flax seed in there). Try spinach tortillini too. Or mix fruits in pancakes. - Obviously Im for the mix and sneak method.