Toddler Food Ideas Needed

[brymolmom]

I agree with the pp's who say he can eat harder food now. Personally, I would stop the baby food completely sometime soon...my experience with picky eaters is that they will CLING to it and really, you don't want to have baby food be in your child's menu for too much longer I would think. Also, sometimes unless offered a LOT of different textured foods, kids acquire a dislike just for the texture. So earlier exposure (in my own opinion) helps to not create this type of situation which can be extremely difficult to get out of.

Just offer anything that you're having for dinner (with some exceptions, maybe well done steak) - and keep offering that. Make it a rule that he has one bite before getting one of his favorite fruits (or other rule that makes sense in your household). Also, I started early with NOT making multiple meals - if my kids don't like what we're having, I always offer a fruit or vegetable that they like that they can fill up on that and I usually offer a roll or bread and butter as another filler after they've tried a bite or two of the meal.

Starting this type of habit now will help you and your picky eater with fewer battles down the road! Good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

Yep, anything you're having, cut small. Even crunchy stuff is fine; he'll break it with his front teeth. My 15 mo old doesn't have molars yet, but she's a huge fan of the garlic Chex Mix, and she crunches right into it, even the melba toast.

 

[DumboPrincess]

Here are some suggestions that worked for my two: (I avoided peanut butter at that age b/c the pediatrician didn't recommend until after age 2 b/c it is an allergy risk.)

--tomato & mozzarella "salad"--shredded mozz. cheese and sliced cherry tomatoes, italien dressing to taste, if wanted

--cream cheese crackers
--cream cheese and jelly sandwich on wheat bread
--mashed banana sandwich on wheat bread
--beets
--sliced, mashed or diced carrots
--baby peas
--corn
--sliced grapes
--tyson chicken fingers
--chopped broccoli & cauliflower
--spaghetti with or without meat & sauce
--banana bread (no nuts)
--pizza (you can make your own for a healthier version)
--mashed white or sweet potatoes
--eggs (scrambled or boiled)
--pancakes
--cheerios, kix, raisin bran (careful with the raisins)
--baked beans
--green beans
--french toast
--cheese toast
--grilled cheese & tomato sandwich
--chopped ham, turkey or roast beef
--chicken noodle soup, with or without draining the broth ( I did this a lot, draining the broth to make less mess and softer food) (All different kinds of soup work with this--vegtable stew, beef stew, etc.)

Hope this helps!

 

[santa's surpriz]

I used to get my daughter the frozen veggies. Peas were her favorite. Our groery had a nice store brand soup mix that had corn, peas, carrots, lima beans, etc. Was a must and still is. She also loved swiss cheese that I used to serve with deli turkey or ham cut into small pieces.

 

[vettechick99]

Vettechicklet is 17m and has gotten pretty picky at dinnertime. This week she's hardly eaten anything because she is cutting her 5th, 6th and 7th teeth all at the same time!

The one thing that always works is a quesadilla (with hidden ingredients)! It's gotta have cheese in it but then I'll hide whatever else I have on hand. Mashed peas, spinach, or green beens. Throw in some seasoned chicken - gotta be seasoned! It may not even be a teaspoon of healthy foods but at least it's something!

GL!