Although it's frustrating for parents, finicky eating is normal behavior for toddlers. Be patient and offer a variety of healthy foods for your picky toddler to choose from, advises Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Encourage your toddler to try new foods, but never force a child to eat. Include your child in grocery shopping and food preparation, as finicky eaters will be more likely to try food that they helped prepare. Remember that when it comes to picky toddlers, presentation is everything, Clemson University advises. Present your toddler with food that has bright colors and interesting shapes and textures.
Toddler Tortillas
Step 1
Heat a tortilla in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds. Boost your child's intake of whole grains by using whole wheat tortillas, or select brightly colored veggie tortillas or sandwich wraps.
Step 2
Spread the tortilla with nutritious foods that your toddler will enjoy, such as peanut butter or cream cheese topped with banana slices or raisins, or 1 tsp. of jelly or jam. Alternatively, sprinkle grated cheese on the tortilla and add a few pieces of cooked carrots or broccoli, or a small amount of shredded chicken or hamburger.
Step 3
Roll up the tortillas and cut the rolls into finger food-sized pieces. Alternatively, fold the tortilla in half and cut it into pizza-shaped wedges. Serve the tortillas with water, milk or fruit juice.
Nibblers
Step 1
Cut healthy foods into interesting shapes that children will enjoy, and then give each food an intriguing name. Cut apples into moons, and bananas into wheels. Broccoli can become trees and carrots can be pirate swords. Turn an avocado chunk into a boat and cut cheese into building blocks.
Step 2
Arrange the foods around the outer edge of a colorful plate or tray. Place a dip in the middle and allow your toddler to dip his own food. Try pureed fruits or vegetables, peanut butter, cream cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese.
Step 3
Place the tray on a low table and allow your child to take time to "graze" and experiment with the various flavors and textures as she goes about her day. The nibble tray is safe to leave out for one to two hours.
Chicken Stix
Step 1
Cut a chicken breast into thin slices. Roll the chicken breast in plain yogurt.
Step 2
Place a cup of your child's favorite dry breakfast cereal into a zip-close bag. Remove the air from the bag, close it, and crush the cereal with a rolling pin.
Step 3
Place the chicken stix on a lightly oiled baking sheet, and bake the stix at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve the stix with a dipping sauce such as spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing. If your child is old enough, push a corn dog stick or Popsicle stick into the chicken stix before baking.
Things You'll Need
- Tortillas
- Peanut butter or cream cheese
- Banana slices or raisins
- Jelly or jam
- Cooked vegetables
- Shredded chicken or hamburger
- Water, milk or fruit juice
- Apple slices
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Avocado
- Cheese squares
- Plate or tray
- Pureed fruit or vegetables
- Cottage cheese
- Chicken breast
- Dry breakfast cereal
- Zip-close bag
- Rolling pin
- Cooking oil
- Baking sheet
- Spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing
- Corn dog sticks or Popsicle sticks (optional)
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