Help with Baby/toddler Meals

Hi A.!
Bananas, avocados, and cut up baked sweet potatoes are all great finger foods and very healthy. My one year old loves all of them and will eat them straight. My 2 year old is getting pickier, and will only eat them if she can dip them in something! (Avocados get dipped in ketchup or steak sauce, bananas and sweet potatoes I let her dip in plain yogurt with a little maple syrup mixed in.) Somehow being able to dip her food in something greatly increases its appeal--but whatever works, right?

I bake a couple sweet potatoes ahead of time--45 minutes in a 475 oven-- and keep them in the fridge.

Hard boiled eggs are another good toddler food- I cut them into quarters for my 1 year old. You can make these ahead of time, also and store them in the fridge for up to a couple days. I would recommend not taking them out of the shells until you are ready to serve each one. I put the eggs in the pot with the cold water on high heat--When it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to med-med-low and simmer for 12 minutes. Then pour out the hot water and fill the pot with cold water to stop the cooking process and get the eggs cool enough to handle.

Good luck! Introduce as many healthy foods as you can (like broccoli!) as EARLY as you can. I learned this lesson the hard way, and have had a lot of battles with my 2 1/2 year old. My 1 1/2 year old got a much better start with food and I haven't had near the struggle!

Edited to add: I know fresh vegetables are best, but frozen is the next best thing and can be a lot more convenient. I buy the bags of frozen organic broccoli florets. I turn the oven on broil, put a handful of broccoli on a foil-lined cookie sheet, and broil about 4-6 minutes. Then I squeeze the soft, mushy florets off of the stem before serving to my little one b/c she doesn't have enough teeth to handle the stem yet!

Good eating habits start now. You should give him the homemade stuff. It's good for him. My daughter just turned 2 and I only fed her baby food up until about a year of age. She craved the homemade stuff as your son is. I was a little skeptical at first cuz i know baby food is good for babies. However, cooking for her actually made me eat better because I wanted her to eat healthy. I actually lost weight due to my new eating habits.

I completely don't agree with "kid friendly" meals. I believe that if you give your kid anything and don't think in your head "oh no. it's broccoli. he may not like it" you might be surprised at how much he actually eats of the healthy food. I always had people compliment me on how well my daughter ate. I know this is gross, but she liked raw onions.

My point is, if he craves homemade foods, you should give it to him as long as it's healthy. And remember, until children are 3 years old, they don't have the proper enzymes to break down fatty foods so stay away from really sugary, fatty things. (my sister is a nutrionist). I didn't give my daughter juice because of all the extra added sugar. I gave her water instead. Some people say it's overboard.

Also, canned vegetables are not good. If you can, buy your vegetables in the produce area. Canned vegetables lose a lot of their nutrients. Anyway, I hope this helps.

Table foods: steamed carrots, brocoilli, asperagus, and on, cut up fruit. Eggs and yogut. Pastas that he can eat with his finger. Toast. Rice with small pieces of chicken with peas and carrots ( they make one in a can by Chef Boyardee and In the baby food things). Cheese and crackers are a big hit w/my children.
Safety first if w/ grapes, hot dog, popcorn, nuts and other foods that are choking hazards.
Best of luck,
Leti

Sounds like you are looking for store bought items. Canned green beans and canned peas and carrots are quick wins. Buy the small throw away containers by ziplock that are supposed to be for salad dressing and other condiments to separate portions. Canned cut up fruit work well the same way.

Animal crackers are usually big hits with those transitioning to toddler age, cheese sticks or cheese cubes in moderation. Cheerios were the staple for my kids they usually love dry cearel they can pick up with their fingers. Swirly pasta cooked and stored is also good for a carb.

Protiens are a bit more challenging. I used to buy the turkey and ham boneless stuff and make thick slices then cut it up into cubes like you would sprinkle on a salad or in an omlette. You can buy canned chicken already cooked in chunks too. Scrambled eggs are also protien, scramble several and store in the fridge for a one-two days for other meals. My son loved hard boiled eggs cut in cubes these last up to a week in the fridge still in the shell. Careful of the vienna sausages they are loaded with fat and sodium, but if you are in a real pinch you can get a can of those. The baby food wieners are probably better for kids.

Hi A.! I am going through the same thing right now! I am actually going to try something later today. I have some sweet potatoes and some pears. I am going to cut them into stick like shapes and steam them so they will not fall apart but mushy enough for her to gum ( she only has 2 bottom teeth w/ 1 coming in on top). She has also been so disinterested in eating her baby food but loves finger foods. I'm not sure what to do yet about the meat. She likes the toddler turkey and chicken weiners but I wish I could make something...or I'd rather give her tofu but the selection at my grocery store is lacking. We'll see how this works..good luck!