Kyle is generally a pretty good eater, but that doesn't mean feeding a toddler isn't stressful. Is he getting enough calories? Enough protein? Too many carbs? Is he hungry? Did he drink enough water today? WHY DID HE LOVE OATMEAL YESTERDAY AND TODAY HE'S SPITTING IT OUT?
Yesterday I was feeling like I was in a toddler food rut when Kyle wouldn't eat his oatmeal and I had run out of ideas for breakfast, so I sent a text to some of my mommy friends to get ideas for toddler meals. I wanted to share some of our favorite go-to's, along with the suggestions I received so I can look back when I need inspiration.
Breakfast - what we've tried
- We've been doing the Gerber baby oatmeal mixed with banana and a veggie (usually pureed spinach, squash or carrots) almost every day for about 6 months, and Kyle is officially over it.
- Today we did cut up fruit (grapes and apples), and eggs scrambled with some jack cheese and cut up spinach. He ate the eggs, but I had to feed them to him.
- Greek yogurt and cut up berries is always a hit, and he'll feed himself (making a HUGE mess).
- Kyle LOVES bagels with cream cheese but I don't like to give him so many carbs/sugar without a veggie or protein!
- Smoothies - spinach, berries, banana, greek yogurt or peanut butter. Kyle loves these, and I usually make them a few times a week for breakfast and/or a snack.
Breakfast - ideas from friends
- Waffles with peanut butter (we tried this and he wasn't a fan, but I think I'll try again now that he's a little older)
- Hard boiled egg whites
- Nutri-grain cereal bars with berries and yogurt
- Bacon! (I don't eat bacon so I never cook it, but Brian loves it so maybe I'll have to learn)
- Sausage
- Pancakes (I've NEVER made them myself before! Must try, and look for a healthy recipe!)
- Toast with peanut butter/almond butter
- Steel cut oats mixed with peanut butter (this sounds amazing and I can make a big batch for all 3 of us. I picked some up today, so we'll try it tomorrow)
- Muffins (looking for a healthy recipe to maybe make myself)
- English muffin with cream cheese
- Cottage cheese and fruit
Lunch/Snacks/Dinner - what we've tried
- Cheese quesadillas - his fave! I'll try and cut up spinach or chicken into tiny pieces and hide it in the cheese. Sometimes it works :)
- PB&J - 2nd fave
- PB & honey or banana
- Grilled cheese - hit or miss
- Cut up deli meat and cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Cheese & crackers
- Cooked veggie. Likes: baby carrots, peas, cut up zucchini tossed in olive oil.
- Corn on the cobb - a favorite
- Fruits: strawberries, banana, apple (slightly cooked and peeled), grapes, cuties
- Pasta - doesn't like... not even mac & cheese! I'm assuming this will change someday
- Baby bean burritos - hit or miss
- Cooked chicken/turkey - hit or miss
- Rice - hit or miss
- Soup - hates it
Lunch/Snacks/Dinner - ideas from friends
- Fish sticks - want to offer them to Kyle because I secretly love them :)
- Craisins
- Pickles
- Hummus on pita bread
Ok, looks like I still need more ideas for lunch and dinner, so feel free to share! The dream is for him to eat whatever we're eating, but we're just not there yet. Thanks to our growing toddlers, and their amazing ability to bring stress to the dinner table :)
