Healthy Meals and Snacks for Toddlers

If you find one healthy food that your toddler likes, build on it. If your child likes cheese, try melting cheese on some vegetables and calling them “cheese snacks.” If your toddler enjoys eggs, try making him an omelet with some spinach thrown in. If your toddler will only touch bits of cereal, make some oatmeal bars with pieces of fruit in them, and break up the bars into small pieces (small enough that they’re not a choking hazard).

Toddlers love being able to dip their own food. Melt some cheese to make a cheese dip, and give your toddler several finger foods to dunk in the dip, such as red pepper strips and breadsticks. You can also try other types of dips, such as yogurt, sugar-free applesauce, and tomato sauce. Put the dip into a small cup surrounded by the finger food, and make sure to model the dipping process before leaving your toddler with the food. You don't want your toddler drinking all of the tomato sauce out of the cup in one shot!

Did you know that a lot of products that are labeled “whole grain” are actually made primarily of refined flour? Take a look at the ingredients list to find out whether the “healthy whole grain bread” you’re buying is really as healthful as it appears. But do focus on buying whole grain products for your children whenever possible. Besides keeping their bodies healthy in the short run, developing a taste for whole grains when they’re young will help them stick to a healthy diet later in life as well.

Here are some other healthy food ideas that your toddler might enjoy:

· Oatmeal

· Mashed potatoes (add some soft vegetables for extra nutrition)

· French toast

· Homemade bran muffins

· Edamme

· Scrambled eggs with cheese

· Chicken soup with vegetables

· Cheese sticks

· Bananas

· Avocado (mash it and spread it on whole grain bread or crackers)

· Blueberries (may cause diaper rash in some toddlers)