Your 12-month-old toddler is likely just starting to develop likes and dislikes when it comes to the food he eats, and you may find your regular dinners are snubbed. When it comes to preparing meals for a 12-month-old, the presentation may have as much to do with your success as the taste of the food. Don't force your toddler to eat what's on his plate--give him options, so he can choose his favorites and you can enjoy a fight-free meal.
Funny Face
When your 12-month-old's food looks amusing to her, she may be more apt to eat it. instead of just spooning food onto her table or tray, make it look like a silly face. Mashed potatoes may not be your toddler's favorite, so use a cookie scoop to make them into eyes, and arrange corn kernels as a smile. That may be the trick to getting your 12-month-old to eat more of her meal.
Little Dippers
Ar array of dipping sauces may be the best way to get your 1-year-old to eat more of his small chicken pieces, bits of soft veggies and even pieces of bread. Allowing him to try ranch, marinara or barbecue sauces on the food can entice him to try something he hasn't yet. Just be sure to make the pieces of the food small and chewable; your 12-month-old likely has a few teeth but you still need to be careful about choking hazards.
Finger Foods
Your 12-month-old is likely testing her independence, and might throw a fit when you try to feet her from a spoon. Instead of trying to feed her yourself, make finger foods that she can feed herself with. At 12 months old, her thumb and forefinger are dexterous enough to convey the food from her tray into her mouth, notes FamilyEducation.com. Try cut up hot dogs, perogies or silver dollar pancakes.
Noodle Meals
Noodle-based meals are always a hit with small children, notes WholesomeToddlerFood.com. With such a large variety of pastas and noodles available, even fortified with whole grains, they are a nutritious and sensible option for your 12-month-old's dinner. You can even sneak in vegetables in the sauces. Choose small, easy to grasp pastas like rotini, ravioli and macaroni noodles so that your 1-year-old can feed himself.
Cobb Salads
A Cobb salad, complete with a variety of different toppings can feed the adults as well as the 12-month-old. Cobb salad consists of a variety of chopped meats, toppings and vegetables, already cut to just the right size for toddlers, says "Cookie" magazine. Skip the lettuce and you have a healthy meal for your 12-month-old that she'll love to eat.
