Toddler Snack and Meal Ideas

Willow has been a wee bit picky lately. It's pretty off and on as to whether or not she wants to eat her jarred food. So, I have been soliciting advice from fellow moms on some nutritious snacks and meals for Willow.

I know she will (very soon) be off the jarred food and I have to admit that I am a bit anxious about the whole thing. See, I don't want to feed her crap all day long but I still want to make sure that she is getting the nutrition that she needs in the foods she eats. And although she will eventually be eating what we eat, at this point in time not everything we eat can be consumed as a finger food. Since Willow doesn't know how to use a spoon or fork yet, her being able to pick up the food and eat it on her own is essential.

It's so convenient to just give her snack foods all day long since they are easy for her to grab on to and eat. But that is not a healthy way for her to be getting her calories. And at this stage in the game, she should be getting between 1,000 and 1,200 calories per day.

So, what are some good snack tips? Well, according to KidsHealth.org, the influence you have on your child’s eating patterns may never be stronger than it is right now. Toddlers can’t run out to the store for candy and chips. They’ll eat what’s served to them and ask for what they know is in the cabinet. Take this opportunity to set the stage right.

Also bear in mind that coming up with a snack schedule is a good idea because small children thrive on routine and like to know what to expect. Feeling the sensation of being full and then hungry again a few hours later teaches your child to respond to internal hunger cues — and knowing when to eat and, more important, when to stop is vital to maintaining a healthy weight. If allowed to graze all day without a schedule, kids may lose the ability to detect their own hunger and fullness, which can make them more likely to overeat.

Additionally, the size of the snack is typically quite small. Adults tend to overestimate the amount of food children need to eat, but the recommended serving size for a toddler’s snack is actually quite small: ½ cup (118 ml) dry cereal and ½ cup (118 ml) milk (serve low-fat if your child is over 2 years old) make a fine mid-morning snack, just as a banana and ½ cup (118 ml) milk are great in the mid-afternoon. Not only are small portions less overwhelming for a picky eater, but they also help prevent an avid eater from overdoing it at snack time.

That said, here is a list of some good, nutritional snacks for 1-3 year old toddlers:

Cold Meals/Snacks

• Whole grain, cold cereal with whole milk


• Milk or yogurt shakes blended with fruit


• Yogurt with fresh fruit pieces or applesauce


• Yogurt with crackers or roti


• Rice and raisin pudding with whole milk


• Dessert tofu with fresh fruit


• Sandwiches made with egg, tuna, chicken salad, sliced cheese or tender meat


• Grated or small cubes of cheese with whole grain crackers


• Small muffins and orange wedges


• Whole grain crackers or rice cakes thinly spread with cottage cheese or mashed avocado


• Banana bread spread with cream cheese


• Whole grain toast spread with peanut butter, fruit puree, or non-hydrogenated margarine or butter


• Whole wheat pita and hummus


• Deli Slices cut into small pieces

Warm Meals/Snacks

• Oatmeal or cream of wheat with whole milk


• Pancakes or waffles topped with applesauce


• Mini omelet's or scrambled eggs and toast


• Congee or rice porridge with small pieces of meat


• Soft tortillas filled with beans or ground meat


• Soups made with milk, and a whole grain bun


• Vegetable, split pea, or bean soup with crackers


• Fish chowder with bread sticks


• Macaroni and cheese


• Spaghetti with tomato or meat sauce


• Meatballs with pasta


• Chicken with vegetables


• Rice or pasta and meat with vegetables


• Fish served in a bun


• Baked beans and toast


• Chili, dahl or lentils, and rice


• Cooked ground beef


• Grilled cheese (with or without a meat slice)


• Hot dog and bun (sliced)

And don't forget about fresh fruits and vegetables!

Now, while those snacks and meals are great for at home, lots of us are on the go and our children are in daycare or preschool.

Here is a great list of snacks you can give your toddler to take with them when you are on the go:

• Teething biscuits


• Mini-muffins (homemade is best to ensure healthy ingredients)


• Mini-bagels (good stale for teething babies)


• Mini-pancakes (in the frozen section, microwave before leaving or they can heat up at daycare)


• Dry cereal, unsweetened, avoiding cereals with nuts (cheerios are always a hit)
  


• Crisp crackers made from whole grains, low sodium (ritz, etc)
  


• Wedges of soft, ripe peeled banana, peach, papaya, mango (put prepared into a tupperware type container)


• Small cups of yogurt (yo-baby in the organic section)
  


• Small cups of applesauce


• Grated cheese (grate and put into container to take to day care)


• Small slices of tofu (put into container)


• Lunchables


• Fig Newtons

I hope this list has helped give you an idea of good "adult" food to feed your growing toddler! And bear in mind that when it comes to liquid nutrition, your 1-year-old should be drinking whole milk or water. After 2 years, switch to low fat or skim milk. Juice is not really a good idea since it has a ton of sugar in it so stick to water! (And that goes for you and your soda addiction too! *wink* Practice what you preach when it comes to your toddlers nutrition!!)