Healthy Toddler Meals/Snacks Thread

[MrsKitty]

So we are getting some great ideas in that other thread and I thought it would be nice to make a big collection of all our tips and tricks and toddler friendly recipes :)

I especially want to know for lunches! I make packed lunches for my son every day and I always want it to be interesting but I run out of ideas.

[babymakes4]

YES! And hot lunch ideas please?

[Sputterduck]

My challenge with my son is to get protein in him. He'll eat nothing but fruits and vegetable if I let him. But protein, for some reason, he doesn't like. It doesn't matter if it's meat or soy or beans. He actually gags on beans as if I fed him poison or something. heh

So what I do is I chop up chicken very finely into his food, usually organic mac and cheese or pasta. Fine enough that he can't avoid it while eating. Then I mix tomatoes in to entice him to eat it. Tomatoes are his favorite food.

That's what I'd do, also, if I has a veggie resistant kid. I'd just finely chop them up so they can't be avoided.

I also don't cook something new when he doesn't want his food. I think that's a really important boundary. He just knows that what he has is what he has and there is no room for him to whine and pout. It won't matter. Dinner is dinner.

[Joyto5]

I find having a 3-4 course meal is the way my kids will eat more. Vegies first, then the grain, protein next then the desert which usually consists of a fruit/berry.

When making my spaghetti sauce I grate up zucchini and put it in after it's been cooked. For salads I grate up carrots (Looks like cheese to them) and other vegies I know they wouldn't otherwise eat.

I also try to sprinkle in ground up Flax seeds and wheat germ into things like oatmeal for breakfast, spaghetti sauces, and tomato based meals. I will sprinkle them into it after it's cooked so it has more of a texture and not soggy. (If only my kids knew exactly what I did to their foods)

Sputter Duck. That's my standing as well. Dinner is what's made. Your not going to get a special meal just because your not in the "mood" for it. We will try to make it look "fun" to eat or make it a game but for the most part, my kids aren't really all that picky. It does happen!

I know there is more.. can't think right now. I'll post more later.

[MrsKitty]

Snacks:

Cut tofu into little bite sized cubes. Throw some cheerios into a blender. Then toss the tofu in the cheerio dust so they are lightly covered.

Air popped popcorn with flax oil instead of butter, raisins, flax seeds, and peanuts.

Celery with nut butter inside, with raisins on top (ants on a log)

Avocado dip..with carrots, peppers, radishes, celery, sliced peppers..whatever is around the house. Kiddo loves this. I make more then he would be able to eat, and then eat the rest myself.

- 1 avocado
- a few peanuts or cashews
- sunflower seeds
- cut up dulse
- lemon juice
- little bit of cayenne pepper
- when I am in the mood I might add some tahini or green goddess dressing

If it is just for me I throw in spicy salsa as well.

Mini Toddler Meals (My son goes NUTS if he gets to make them "himself". He lets me help ;) He will always eat them if he gets to make it with me) I make more then I think he will eat, let him serve himself, and then put the rest in the fridge for a snack. He will only eat what he is hungry for.

Mini pita pockets. They are super tiny little mini pitas.. I don't know if there is a special word for them. Grated cheese in one bowl, tomato sauce in another bowl, stir fried (very little oil) veggies with 1 egg in another bowl. I cut open the pitas and put the toppings into little bowls. He gets to assemble everything inside.

Same mini pita pockets OR mini bagels OR an english muffin cut into half. Mini toddler pizzas. Top with tomato sauce, spinach, peppers, cheese, tofu.

Grilled ham and cheese sandwich. I use coconut butter instead of normal butter on the outside. Whole wheat bread, cheese inside, with either turkey or ham slices, and spinach.

Quick and easy. this is my "in a rush" lunch. Boil a cup of water, throw in frozen veggies. When it boils add a cup of couscous. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and tahini\salad dressing. Makes enough for a few meals, reheats really well, great if I realize I forgot to make lunch as I am heading out the door.

[Rieckah]

Tortilla with a little avacado, carrott matchsticks, tuna and red/orange bell peppers. Nummy. My kids eat them up.

[MrsKitty]

Ohhh tuna!

Tuna mixed into couscous, tuna mixed into pasta sauce, tuna with some tahini and veggies, tuna inside pitas, tuna sandwiches with tahini or goddess dressing instead of mayo... the list goes on

[Sputterduck]

Avocado dip..with carrots, peppers, radishes, celery, sliced peppers..whatever is around the house. Kiddo loves this. I make more then he would be able to eat, and then eat the rest myself.


This is genius. I am going to try this, except I'll put cut up chicken in it. I bet my son won't even notice.

[MrsKitty]

It is totally delicious sputterduck. I usually have it for lunch. But I knew I was forgetting something, I also add 2-3 green onions to the blend.

I also don't think this thread is complete with this link. (http://wholesometoddlerfood.com/)

[MrsKitty]

here are grazing ideas for toddlers from wholesome toddler food


1 divided dish, divided plastic storage container or muffin tin

diced fruits or diced veggies

yogurt dip

pita chips or toast points

Fill the compartments of your divided dish/container or muffin tin with the above ingredients and leave out on the table- ensure this is in easy reachable access to Toddlers.

Rice Cake Fiesta - Rice cakes are great grazin' foods and they are available in whole grain, unsalted versions too!

Prepare rice cakes with your Toddler's favorite spread or dip. Grate an apple, carrot and/or other fruits and veggies over the rice cake. Colour and taste to tempt the Toddler to slow down and refuel!

Cracker Smackers

Whole grain crackers - unsalted

Toddler's favorite spread or dip (we like peanut butter for this one!)

1 grape or 2 raisins or 2 Cheerios or 1 cube of cheese

Spread dip or spread on the crackers and top a cracker with 1 grape, another cracker with 2 raisins, another cracker with 2 Cheerios and yet another cracker with 1 cube of cheese. Make as many of these as you feel your Toddler will eat. It's the variety that will catch her eye and tempt her to at least nibble each cracker.

Cottage Cheese Dippers

Cottage Cheese

Fruit Dices

Whole Grain Bread Sticks or Toasted Pita Chips

Blend cottage cheese with dices of peaches, dices of pears or blueberries in a small dish. Arrange cottage cheese blend on a larger dish and ring with bread sticks or pita chips. Place the arrangement in a larger bowl that is filled 1/4 of the way with ice cubes. Have your Toddler help with the ice cubes and tell him how the ice cubes will change when the Grazin snack is ready to be put away. This will keep outside the fridge for approx. 1 hour.

When you clean up, talk to our Toddler about how the ice has melted and turned back into water. Science and grazing together!

[MrsKitty]

More ideas from wholesome toddler foods.. these are all "fast foods"



"Fast" food does not have to mean going to one of "those" restaurants or buying some of "those" frozen kiddie meals at your local grocers! With a little time and some kitchen work, you can make your own "fast food" meals. If you made your own baby food, then you may remember taking a few hours a month to whip up fresh purées for storing for future meals.

Just because your baby is now a Toddler does not mean that you can't continue to whip up meals a 'la carte. As with making homemade baby food, the effort to make healthy Toddler meals is worth every minute of time! Prepare the recipes shown and freeze. When it's mealtime, simply take out your choice and warm. Instant "not so fast" fast food! Feel free to substitute any ingredients you feel may be inappropriate for your Toddler!

CHICKEN "NUGGETS"

2 chicken breasts - sliced into thin strips (then sliced into cubes if you wish)
1 egg or plain yogurt
bread crumbs or crushed flaked cereal

Scramble egg or spoon 4 tablespoons yogurt into a wide bowl. Dip the breasts strips into the egg or yogurt.
Roll in the bread crumbs or cereal. Fry gently in pure olive oil (about 1-2 teaspoons) or
Bake until golden at the temperature you normally bake at (375F is a good temp)
Transfer to plate lined with paper towels, allow to cool and then wrap in foil or plastic wrap, then transfer to freezer.
VIOLA, ready to eat chicken nuggets

CHEDDAR & VEGGIE PANCAKES From Grafton Village Cheese

2 carrots - 1/4 lb zucchini - 1/4 lb Grafton Cheddar - 6 oz potatoes
2 large eggs
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
vegetable oil

Peel carrots and potatoes and grate them, along with zucchini and cheddar cheese into large bowl. Stir in eggs, bread crumbs, salt and pepper.
Heat about 1/2" vegetable oil in a 10" skillet. Pour in 1/4 cup of batter. Press down with spatula and flatten.
Cook until well browned on both sides. Cook as many pancakes at a time as will fit in pan without touching.
As each pancake is done remove from pan and set on plate covered with paper towel to drain.
Serve hot. Makes approximately 12 cakes. Freezes well!

SWEET POTATO FRIES (These will not be of the same texture as "regular" french fries)

Scrub sweet potatoes (approx 6 medium/large ones) clean and/ or peel them if baby cannot handle the skins.
Cut into sizes that will suit your needs or, cut into strips that you may then cut down after baking
In a large bowl, add about 1/4 cup of olive oil.

To this you may add:
cinnamon, ginger, a pinch of brown sugar, etc.. (we add cinnamon and sometimes a bit of brown sugar).

Toss the cut up sweet potatoes into the bowl and stir so that the potatoes are drenched with the olive oil mix.
Dump mixture onto a baking sheet, drizzle remaining olive oil over the potatoes on the baking sheet.
Stir and swirl the potatoes on the baking sheet before placing in oven.
Bake for approx 30-45minutes or until tender at 400F


MEAT BALLS

1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
bread crumbs
wheat germ
1 egg
spices such as garlic, pepper, basil, thyme and/or oregano

Mix ground beef with approximately
1 cup of bread crumbs, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1 egg and the spices you have chosen.
Vary the measurements as you blend the ingredients, you may require more/less bread crumbs.

Roll into balls, bake at 375F until golden or for about 25-30 minutes. Do not allow these to burn.
Cover the pan with tin foil to help prevent burning if need be.
Use a small baking pan so you may shake and roll the meatballs around - helps to keep even cooking .
Cool, Wrap, Freeze!

"FAST" VEGGIE PANCAKES

Hodgson Mills Buckwheat Pancake Mix (http://www.hodgsonmill.com/) WE LOVE Hodgson Mills grain and mixes!!
Grated carrots
Grated zucchini
Grated cheese (cheddar, jack, colby - your choice)

Prepare buckwheat pancake mix as directed on the box and add 1/4 cup grated carrots and 1/4 cup grated zucchini
Fry gently in olive oil until done. Freezes and warms well! You can also add ham, turkey, chicken and/or cheese!


TODDLER "MC-MUFFIN"

12 eggs (yes, you can freeze cooked eggs!)
12 English muffins
12 slices of cheese (American or light cheddar)
12 turkey or 100% natural pork sausages (round)

Fry the eggs individually (using a round pancake "cutter" will keep the egg shaped) Fry 3 at a time so that you can toast and prepare the English Muffins –
butter toasted English Muffins and prepare with slice of cheese and sausage. Put the cheese over the sausage to help melting.
Once eggs are fried, transfer egg to English Muffin on top of the cheese and sausage and close the sandwich.

Repeat until you have 12 Toddler "McMuffins". Freeze and thaw before warming

SWEET POTATO PANCAKES

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup cooked sweet potatoes, mashed
1 egg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (use graham flour for a nice taste!)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk (or more)


Mix sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl with egg. Stir in the flour and add the baking powder.
Add up to 1/3 cup of milk, stirring. Stir in 1 tbsp butter.
The mixture should have the consistency of thick, lumpy sauce like an "instant" pancake mix
Place a non-stick or heavy iron skillet over medium heat on top of the stove and add 1/2 tsp butter.

Spoon batter into the skillet and cook until bubbles rise to the surface of the pancakes and break. Approx. 1 to 2 minutes.
Using a spatula, flip the pancakes and cook another 2 minutes.
Remove pancakes from the skillet and keep warm on a covered plate in the oven. Freezes Well!

SWEET POTATO "PANCAKES"

1 cup basmati rice - 1 1/2 pounds of Sweet Potato (orange not white ones!)
3/4 cup frozen baby peas - 3/4 cup zucchini
1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs - 1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 garlic clove - 1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley
salt & freshly ground black pepper
olive oil

Cook the rice in a large saucepan of water (typically 2 cups of water per 1 cup rice)
Chop & steam or boil the sweet potato until tender, drain well. Mash until almost smooth.
Cut the zucchini into small dices - add zucchini and all other ingredients to mashed sweet potato and mix well,
season with salt & pepper if desired.

Divide the mixture into equal portions and cook in lightly oiled frying pan for approx. 3 minutes each side,
Drain on paper towel. Great warm or cold!

[Wolverine]

Wow Mrs. Kitty. You are awesome! I just copied all your recipes and will try some for my picky eater when we get back from our weekend trip.

As far as eating what is served, my picky two year old will simply sit and stare at the food if we just give her what is served. We have decided to always put the dinner that we make on her plate and have other healthy choices on the table (that I know she will eat more readily) so that it doesn't appear that we are making her a "special meal".

We were having lots of meltdowns right before bed and lots of night wakings because she was hungry. I have decided not to make healthy eating into a battle.

[alejorge]

I feel like my kids eat soo unhealthy compared to all of evryones food ides in here. I guess I just dont do everything quite as healthy. A typical breakfast consists of a bowl of Cheerios or Rice Krispies(no sugar ever)
Lunch consists of a bowl of chix noodle soup or homemade soup or a PB&J sandwich along with a fresh fruit
Dinner is what ever I make.
Tonight I made little round steaks in the slow cooker with brown gravy and mashed potatoes and biscuits.