I need toddler meal ideas!

[disneybridetobe]

DD is 19 months, and she's a great eater. She eats many kinds of foods, and even enjoys some spicier foods (Qdoba burritos, even mild buffalo wings!) But some nights she just doesn't want to eat what we eat. Tonight we ate kielbasa, and she's just not a fan of most meats. I fed her Mac and Cheese and felt terrible about it. She didn't complain, but still..

I need ideas for what to feed her for lunch and dinner. She liked PB&J's, but she seems sick of them, there are only so many hot dogs I can give her, and I feel so badly giving her Mac & Cheese. She loves pizza, egg rolls, bean burritos, and sometimes we'll share a bowl of soup, or some raviolis. She'll even eat vegan chinese food. I just feel like I can't think of anything else. (I can't cook eggs, I'll barf from the smell.) She used to like hummus, but then she snubbed it last night. I feel like she needs some more protein, but I am so out of ideas.

What do you feed your kiddos? We haven't mastered a spoon yet, so it's gotta be finger-friendly.

Thank you so much

 

[famofsix]

I know when mine were little I would prepare their meats mild and cook/bake it in a seperate pan. When I had more time, I cooked chicken breast and cubed it, turkey, small meats, unseasoned hamburger and then I froze it in little freezer bags. Then I could add rice, pasta, veggies and baby sized meats to the child's meal without having to cook a whole different meal.

I also found soups with low sodium were a quick idea to serve because while the child didn't usually eat the broth the meat and veggies were finger sized for them.

You can also get a lot of protein from legumes, peanut butter or eggs (maybe try hard boiled)

 

[ashlansmom]

My 2 year old loves quesadilla's. I buy whole wheat wraps and then either melt cheese with it in the toaster or in a pan. You can also blend up some beans and spread that on half of it before you fold it over, there is your protein and I don't think they can taste it. I use the navy beans.

My daughter has an egg allergy so feeding her and finding variety can also be tough, and she doesn't really like meat much. She loves rice, any kind. She also loves yogurt, pudding, english muffins with cheese melted on them or cream cheese on them... good luck, quesadillas are definitely our quick fix for her!

 

[stacy6552]

That's a slippery slope to insanity. Feed your toddler what you serve everyone else, if she's hungry she will eat it. If she doesn't then don't serve up anything else. Say the following to yourself, " I am not a short order cook."

 

[disneybridetobe]

That's a slippery slope to insanity. Feed your toddler what you serve everyone else, if she's hungry she will eat it. If she doesn't then don't serve up anything else. Say the following to yourself, " I am not a short order cook."

Thanks, I think I needed that. That's been my theory all along, and then I found myself slipping. I am not a short order cook!

 

[disneybridetobe]

Thank you, FamofSix, I'm going to feed her some soups, without the broth. She really likes the vegetarian vegetable soups, so I'm going to give it a shot. She likes it when we share it, so I'm sure she'd like it even more if she fed it to herself!

 

[disneybridetobe]

My 2 year old loves quesadilla's. I buy whole wheat wraps and then either melt cheese with it in the toaster or in a pan. You can also blend up some beans and spread that on half of it before you fold it over, there is your protein and I don't think they can taste it. I use the navy beans.

My daughter has an egg allergy so feeding her and finding variety can also be tough, and she doesn't really like meat much. She loves rice, any kind. She also loves yogurt, pudding, english muffins with cheese melted on them or cream cheese on them... good luck, quesadillas are definitely our quick fix for her!

I forgot about quesadillas, I've ordered them for her when we're out, but of course I forget about them when we're home. They're so easy!

I have been thinking of English muffin pizzas too, I'm not sure if she likes cream cheese, I never gave it to her! (not a huge fan myself.)

Thanks!

 

[mom2meiko]

i have to agree with the pp who said you are not a short order cook. i often remind myself of that as well. my dd is almost 20 months and we have similar issues in our house. i feel like i'm always feeding her the same old things day after day and she must be getting sick of them. she gets lunch pretty much catered to her because we've usually eaten by the time she gets up from her nap... lunch can vary from leftovers from dinner the night before, soup, chili (mild of course), hummus (she loves to eat it by the bowlfull), tabouleh, anything on a pita is usually a hit, cheese sticks, cereal bars, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, pb and reduced sugar jelly (no artificial sweetner added, but i don't want to feed her a ton of sugar either), etc. pasta is always a huge hit but i don't feel like theres a lot of value in it so we try to keep it to a minimum. dh eats a lot of turkey dogs and she loves to share those. i on the other hand eat a lot of tofu products and she loves that as well! and of course fruit!!! she can never have enough fruit! one other thing that she loves is chicken/turkey - the purdue short cuts kind - but only if they are cold from the fridge - she will not eat them when they have been heated - go figure!

i hope this helps a little bit. just try not to give in to the pickiness of you will have that problem long term. my sis did that with her 2 and she usually has to make one meal for them, one for dh and then one for herself (she's a vegetarian, dh is not, kids are not.) it's crazy!!!

 

[LadyShea]

Try cooked beans. DS liked kidney beans, black eyed peas, chickpeas, black beans etc. Finger friendly and good protein source!

 

[hopesmommy]

My DD loves raisins and all kinds of nuts mixed together. She gets fruit and protein all at once. She likes to make a "sampler" plate of cheese, lunch meat, fruit, crackers(whole grain), etc. I also recommend the quesadillas. Howabout oatmeal? I know you said you have not mastered a spoon, but it does stick to the spoon.

My pediatrician told me that DD would eat want she needs and how much she needs. We had a problem with her eating great for a while, then not eating AT ALL for a week or two. So don't worry if you think your child is not getting enough protein. Also remember milk has protein.

 

[Fall1]

Subscribing to this thread for ideas.

My kids (both 20 mos) are the worst eaters, I don't know how you all get them to try all these new things! Mine just won't eat if it's something new.

 

[Ariel on Land]

I agree w/ the beans- those are a hit here. Try a rotisserie chicken. They'll eat it plain, or sometimes I add a little tomato sauce and rice. Also, I make mini-meatloaves in muffin pans. They always love those, though sometimes I feel like they eat it too often. One DS can't have dairy, so that really stinks here- no cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, etc... so we definitely are a little limited. I'll make up my own small sized hamburger patties and give them burgers. One DS in particular is a HUGE fan! DH actually got confused, and fed him an entire 1/4+ lb burger once!! I tried weanie beanies last night, but that was a huge disaster- they hated them, but it's still an idea.

I try not cooking just for them- and they usually do eat what we eat, but w/ the dairy problem, there really are only so many options, that I often end up having to fix two separate meals! Good luck! I'll be lurking for some good ideas myself!

 

[brymolmom]

Hi! Just a suggestion from someone whose kids are a bit older...start your 'plan' and 'rules' now. We have one good eater, ds6 and one very picky eater, dd5. When you are eating something that your toddler won't eat, think about how you want to handle that same scenario 5 years from now, and start that same routine now. If you want to 'make' the kids eat a few bites - then offer alternatives or whatever your family rule is - starting early is the best way for them to know as they get older what is expected.

When my kids don't like what we're having -I refuse to make a second meal or allow PB&J. What I do is always put stuff in the meal that they DO like - fruits or raw carrots and cucumbers. So, if they have a couple no thank you bites, they are allowed to fill up on the stuff they do like (if there isn't a lot they like - I might put some bread & butter on the table too). This way - if they're hungry - they can have healthy options to fill up on, without me having to make another meal.

WIth my picky eater - I wish I had started with some ground rules a lot earlier.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I agree w/ the beans- those are a hit here. Try a rotisserie chicken. They'll eat it plain, or sometimes I add a little tomato sauce and rice. Also, I make mini-meatloaves in muffin pans. They always love those, though sometimes I feel like they eat it too often. One DS can't have dairy, so that really stinks here- no cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, etc... so we definitely are a little limited. I'll make up my own small sized hamburger patties and give them burgers. One DS in particular is a HUGE fan! DH actually got confused, and fed him an entire 1/4+ lb burger once!! I tried weanie beanies last night, but that was a huge disaster- they hated them, but it's still an idea.

I try not cooking just for them- and they usually do eat what we eat, but w/ the dairy problem, there oare only so many options, that I often end up having to fix two separate meals! Good luck! I'll be lurking for some good ideas myself!

That's a great idea about the rotisserie chicken. I should get one more often, what an easy meal. DD likes my meatloaf, but little mini-meatloaves sound fun. I like the crusty outsides, so I'd probably enjoy that too!

Hmmm.. I love beanie weenies! I can just imagine the cleanup... beans in all sorts of orifices!! (She has a new *thing* for sticking objects in her ears)

I have to be careful about dairy here, too. DH and I are mild-to-moderate lactose intolerant.

 

[ekball]

Thanks, I think I needed that. That's been my theory all along, and then I found myself slipping. I am not a short order cook!

No.....BUT, asking a 19 month old to like and eat Keilbasa is a bit much. Or at least I think so. I have never cooked separate meals for my kids - they eat what I cook or they don't, but I won't cook a different meal for them & their tastes (they are 5 and 3). That said...I don't think I would have expected my kids to eat keilbasa at 19 mos. If I really wanted keilbasa, I think I would have had a hot dog on hand for the kiddos, or something like that. I think the 'tough love' camp can go a little overboard at times too. (Not directing that to any one poster.... it's just something I've noted on many-a-thread around here, not to mention IRL)

 

[ekball]

When my kids don't like what we're having -I refuse to make a second meal or allow PB&J. What I do is always put stuff in the meal that they DO like - fruits or raw carrots and cucumbers. So, if they have a couple no thank you bites, they are allowed to fill up on the stuff they do like (if there isn't a lot they like - I might put some bread & butter on the table too). This way - if they're hungry - they can have healthy options to fill up on, without me having to make another meal.

QUOTE]

This is good information to pass along - ITA.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Hi! Just a suggestion from someone whose kids are a bit older...start your 'plan' and 'rules' now. We have one good eater, ds6 and one very picky eater, dd5. When you are eating something that your toddler won't eat, think about how you want to handle that same scenario 5 years from now, and start that same routine now. If you want to 'make' the kids eat a few bites - then offer alternatives or whatever your family rule is - starting early is the best way for them to know as they get older what is expected.

When my kids don't like what we're having -I refuse to make a second meal or allow PB&J. What I do is always put stuff in the meal that they DO like - fruits or raw carrots and cucumbers. So, if they have a couple no thank you bites, they are allowed to fill up on the stuff they do like (if there isn't a lot they like - I might put some bread & butter on the table too). This way - if they're hungry - they can have healthy options to fill up on, without me having to make another meal.

WIth my picky eater - I wish I had started with some ground rules a lot earlier.

I didn't quite know when to start this, but it probably would be best to start now. These are the things that "they" don't tell you! I'm going to take this advice, it will probably save me a big headache down the road. Thank you

 

[rluey29]

So how do you make mini-meatloafs?? I have never made meatloaf, but I do like to eat it, LOL. Can someone give me a recipe for the small muffin pan ones?

 

[famofsix]

I don't make multiple meals for my kids. They eat what we eat. However, at 19 months a toddler is still developing and isn't ready for some of the spices and textures of grown up food. That why I suggest making plain meats and freezing them or setting a portion aside without spicing it.

Toddlers are weird and can detest something they loved yesterday or retry and love a food they detested a month ago. I went through it 4 times and I still can't figure it out

I agree that you don't want to offer a completely different meal when the goal is to eat table food....BUT I make an exception for toddlers I have found at about 2.5 they pretty much eat whatever is served.

None of my kids are picky eaters so this is what worked for us.

 

[scottishduffy]

Hmm, when I was a nanny the toddler liked a wide variety of stuff.

She loved pitas and hummus.

Guacamole with some crackers (or toasted tortillas)

Cheese Quesadillas

Grape tomatoes, Cucumbers, bell peppers sliced with some ranch dressing.

Plain grilled chicken with a little BBQ sauce for dipping.

English muffin pizza (top with sliced tomatoes, a little cheese, and green peppers)