Toddlers are known for being picky eaters, a trait that makes it hard on parents to find healthy food ideas that kids in this age group will actually eat. Instead of insisting that your toddler chow down on whatever the family is eating, create kid-friendly meals that everyone can enjoy or provide healthy pint-sized options that don't take too much extra time to prepare.
Scrambled Egg Sandwiches
Instead of opting for fast food in the morning, create your own healthy version of an egg sandwich for breakfast. First, scramble an egg. You can sneak in some extra nutrients by tossing a little chopped spinach or sauteed bell pepper into the egg while it is cooking. Place the egg, a thin slice of cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and a slice of turkey ham between two halves of a piece of whole-wheat toast cut diagonally. You can also use a toasted English muffin in place of the toast.
Mini Pizzas
For a quick, toddler-friendly lunch or dinner, make some mini-pizzas. These provide calcium, vegetables and whole grains to fuel your growing child. To make the pizzas, spread prepared spaghetti sauce or plain tomato sauce on half of a whole wheat English muffin. Finely chop a little broccoli, spinach or cooked carrot and sprinkle it over the sauce. Cover the vegetables with a layer of shredded cheese. Cook the mini pizza in an oven or toaster oven for about five minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the cheese has melted. Let the mini pizza cool for a few minutes before serving.
Smart Smoothies
If your child prefers drinking her calories to eating, make a meal in the blender. Smoothies can be made with almost any fruit, milk and yogurt as a base, providing calcium, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Simply blend 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and 1/2 to 1 cup of fruit until smooth. Serve 1/2 cup to your toddler and either drink the rest yourself or refrigerate it to save for another meal later in the day. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, applesauce and kiwi are all good fruits to try. Toddlers may also appreciate a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon blended into their meal-in-a-cup. To add variety and a slightly different complement of nutrients, try replacing the fruit with avocado, cucumber or pumpkin.
Snack Plate
Instead of asking a toddler to conform to an adult-sized three meals a day, take advantage of your youngster's natural inclination to graze in between play sessions. Fill an empty ice cube tray with small healthy snacks and place it on a table within reach of your busy toddler. Apple slices, cooked cauliflower florets, thin strips of cooked carrots, healthy kid-friendly cereal and bite-sized squares of cheese are all good options for this variety tray. Encourage your toddler to take a few bites every few minutes and before you know it he'll have consumed a meal's worth of nutrition.
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