Parents are responsible for ensuring that their toddlers eat healthy meals, but with some kids this can be a difficult endeavor. Many toddlers are picky eaters and others are just too busy to stop and eat. Providing dinners that are both nutritious and fun can encourage toddlers to eat dinner, but don't be discouraged if a young child doesn't want to eat a specific meal or food item. As long as your toddler continues to grow and thrive, he is probably getting enough calories and nutrition.
Chicken Sticks
Slice chicken into thick strips and insert a popsicle stick into each piece. Roll the chicken in yogurt. Dip the rolled chicken into crushed whole grain cereal to coat it. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve the chicken sticks with a healthy homemade sauce such as yogurt, guacamole or applesauce. As a side dish, offer some steamed or microwaved broccoli. Encouraging your toddler to dip her broccoli into the same sauce may make her more likely to eat her vegetable side dish along with her chicken.
Kid Quesadillas
Use leftover chicken to make kid-friendly Mexican quesadillas that the whole family will love. Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix 1/4 cup of chicken with 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of frozen spinach. Spread this mixture over 4 flour tortillas and place another tortilla to top of each quesadilla. Cook each quesadilla in a skillet or in an oven until the cheese is melted and the top of the tortilla has begun to brown. Cut into quarters and serve with guacamole or a mild salsa.
Healthy Mac and Cheese
Few toddlers can resist macaroni and cheese, but making your own healthy version is a much better idea than cooking from a box. Mix 1/2 cup of grated cheese, 1 cup milk and 2 tbsp. butter together in a saucepan and heat until the cheese is melted. Add this cheese sauce to 2 cups of cooked macaroni or other small pasta. Using a hand grater, finely grate some cooked carrots or zucchini and stir it into the macaroni and cheese to slip in some extra nutrients.
Vegetable Soup
Vegetable soup doesn't have to be difficult. Start with 1 cup of low-sodium canned chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes, 1 can of red beans and 1 cup of frozen or canned corn. Serve soup with a slice of whole grain bread or some whole wheat crackers.
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