13 & 1/2 Month Old - What Else Can I Give to Eat So Theres Balanced Nutrition?

In most cases he can eat whatever you're having, just cut it into tiny pieces.

When daughter was little, all she wanted was cherios and bananas. My doctor advised non-sugary cereals are one of the best foods a child can eat. They're fortified with all kinds of vitamins and minerals.

When eating out, I would never order anything off the kids menu for a child that young. Most of it is not very nutritional.

Keep trying all different kinds of fruits and vegetables. What he likes today he may not like in 2 weeks, or vise versa.

Let him try what you are having for dinner, as long as it is not spicy. My son used to like meatloaf, roasted chicken, salmon and plain white fish, chopped up baked potatoes (we just put them in the microwaive) salad food, spagetti and meatballs, asparagus, broccoli. Be sure you are looking at the salt content of food. Too much mac and cheese can add to much salt to his diet, and make him more likely to reject a healthy alternative.

A lot of times it is texture and what it looks like, for example, when I fix fish, I bake it or broil it with seasoning that can be removed, like fresh thyme sprigs with the salt and pepper, and stronger flavors, like lemon, I add after I take his share out. If I make homemade spagetti sauce, I have a mini puree that I put about a half cup in, so he can't see the mushrooms and onions, and he eats it.

Why do you feel the need to have him eat off the kid menu? In my opinion a kid menu is a bad idea because it brainwashes kids to think that they have to eat a certain kind of food...namely junk food. Kids don't need to eat pizza and mac and cheese because it's just not healthy.

Out son is 10 months and we have no problems getting him to eat a huge variety of foods BUT we will not be giving him anything with salt, sugar, or processing. I cook everything he eats from scratch and it's always 100% organic.

There are lots of healthy options.

For protein my son eats chicken, sardines, salmon, eggs, and sheep's milk plain yogurt.

Veggies have included kale, chard, broccoli, carrrots, beans, peas, sweet potatoes, pea shoots, kidney beans, asparagus...you name it, he's eaten it.

We also give him whole grains like quinoa, amaranth, farro, brown rice, and oatmeal.

There ar elots of healthy options available and it never has to get boring. Just don't think for a minute that because he's a kid, he has to eat typical "kid foods" which are packed with fat, salt, preservatives, and sugar.

There's nothing wrong with just giving him what you are eating. Unless of course it something very spicy. I wouldn't give him something different every time you have a meal. My daughter loves ham, chicken, even steak and she is a huge fan of broccoli, spinach, fresh green beans and salad. I actually was surprised when I made peene in vodka sauce and she LOVED it! She said she liked it better than my regualr sauce. There is a great healthy snack called Edamame, they are a soy bean that can be found in the frozen food section. You can just snack on these little soy beans and they are really good!

Hello-

Have you considered supplementing with Pediasure or NutrinJr? They are completely balanced. Some kids actually use that as their sole source of nutrition. My son is diagnosed with developmental delays and cerebral palsy. He averages weight gain of 1 pound a year. The pediasure keeps him from losing weight and he's started gaining more.

A little about me:

I own my own business and am a business coach providing Free Mentoring to individuals with stay at home businesses, teaching the skills needed for success.

I am newly married (Sept. '07) but we've been together for 5 years. I have 3 children, 1 is special needs. He's the best little boy! Christopher is 7. My other 2 are 13 (girl) and 20 (boy)

yogurt, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, waffles, eggs, bagels, english muffins, watermelon, the list is endless!

I would keep feeding him what you and your DH are having for dinner unless it's something that is too spicy or a choking hazard.

Working full time & trying to get dinner on the table is challenging! I know that by the time you get home & settled and start dinner that it's late and your lil guy is probably not in the mood for waiting another hour for dinner. One thing that I've TRIED to do is take leftovers and freeze them in small portions so that I have something quick to warm up for him. When you make a beef stew or soup or something like that try taking a portion out to freeze for later use. A sweet potato is quick to make in the microwave. If you have to resort to chicken nuggets at least you have a good veggie on the side.

Wait until your cute lil guy starts rejecting his former favorite foods! That's where I'm at now. It's frustrating and I feel like I have to find SOMETHING he will eat. I can't let him go hungry!!!

Good luck!

J.,
I have a 16mo girl and was feeling the same. I made all of her food, puree, but now with the solids it's harder. I too work and find it hard to "make" dinner! There is a book called "super foods" by annabel karmel. good reference. i try to cook chicken, veggies, etc. shredded cheese over anything always works...orzo with butter and cheese and broccoli is great. also, i found dr. praeger's frozen veggie burgers, potatoe/broc pancakes, etc, great alternatives.

hope that helps. S.

HI J....I also am a Full Time working mother with a 13 month old and a little girl. I give my 13 month old whatever we are eating for dinner. In the AM he gets oatmeal and a banana with his cup of milk. The afternoon and evening he gets a meat and a veggie/fruit. And then again at dinner he gets what we are eating. It's easier than adapting a special menu for him. Even when we get the rare occasion to go out, he eats a little bit of our food. Well, I shouldn't say a little...he has a good appetite. Hope this helps a little.
GOOD LUCK!!