Toddler Food Recipes
“Get your hands on great toddler food recipes.”
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Delicious and healthy recipes for toddlers are simple to find on the internet, at your local library or through a school or your parent’s group. But are they the right foods for your child? Here are a few tips on selecting the right recipes.
PLEASE NOTE: Consult your pediatrician on any recipes that include foods your toddler has never eaten before. Some foods are potential allergens, or may be similar in chemical structure to foods your toddler has previously tried unsuccessfully.
Breakfast Recipes
With their quickly growing bodies, toddlers often awaken hungry. Take advantage of this opportunity to feed your child something that will sustain him or her all day. The best toddler food recipes for breakfast include protein, fruit and if possible, a whole grain. Eggs are a top choice among parents; they’re compact, taste good and are packed with protein. If your toddler won’t eat eggs on their own, put them into a recipe; for example, few children will refuse French toast or pancakes.
Other excellent choices include home-prepared oatmeal (look for recipes that include fruit for a nutritional boost), toddler-friendly omelets (use a mild cheese and only one egg), or breakfast shakes with milk, fruit and a dash of vanilla (alcohol-free extract only).
AVOID peanut butter, egg whites and honey during your child’s first year. All of these are potential allergen triggers for your child’s young immune system.
Lunch and Dinner Recipes
For lunch and dinner, think vegetables. Many toddler food recipes offer unique ways to hide nutritious veggies that may be beyond your toddler’s taste range when served whole. Don’t feel guilty about “sneaking”--just be sure you also place at least one whole or cut up vegetable choice on her plate as well. Great toddler recipes for lunch include homemade soups, grilled sandwiches (usually with cheese), low-fat home prepared chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.
AVOID shellfish. Food allergies to shellfish are less likely to develop if you introduce them later in your child’s life.
A Little of This, a Little of That
Don’t forget the snacks! According to child nutrition experts, your toddler is probably capable of eating only a tablespoon or two of a given food at a time. This small capacity makes snack foods an ideal choice. Make sure the recipes you choose for snacks are healthy and include a bite or two of something your child’s body needs.
Look for toddler food recipes such as “ants on a log,” or celery, peanut butter and raisins (appropriate only if your child is older than 12 months, when a peanut allergy is less likely to begin); fruit salad (cut into manageable pieces); quesadillas; mini meat balls; and recipes that include a healthy dry cereal.
Bulk Toddler Recipes
If you own a daycare or are a babysitter, you’ll need larger-scale recipes. Not all recipes set properly or taste appropriate just by increasing the amount of each ingredient; ratios may change when cooking for a group. Look for toddler food recipes that are specifically geared toward several children or for a classroom. This way you can be sure the finished recipe will be something they’ll absolutely eat up.
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