What Do You Feed Your Toddler?

J.,
my daughter is 11 months old. Shes also a picky eater. She will eat cheese crackers, applesauce, cheese, ravioli's (only if I feed it to her directly in her mouth) and she loved cut up chicken. Thats her entire menu.
I just keep trying new things that I eat off my plate and sometimes she is willing to eat it and sometimes not. Just keep trying!

My doctor has reminded me that their little tummies are the size of their own fists - pretty small, huh? He also said that young children will usually eat ONE good meal a day. JUST ONE...Well you have to think about this, do you want to spend the rest of her childhood fixing her own meals outside of the family meal. You know, in daycare and in past generations, they didn't have choices. They either eat what is on their plate, or they don't eat. We create the picky eaters - I have with my first two and am going to do better with my third!

Remember, if they go to bed hungry, it is ok. Little ones will not starve themselves. They will make up for it the next day...Hope this helps!

A. N

my daughter is also 15 months old. she eats everything at her home daycare, but is very picky at home. i have found the gerber graduates finger food does well with her. she loves pasta, and these raviolis (spelling) have carrots and spinach in them.

Hi my daughter is 13 months and I feel like I run out of meal ideas too. Here are a few things she eats....Jelly biscuits or pb&j sandwhich (In small pieces) mac and cheese, choped up ham, turkey, and meat. Example she loves hamburger helper. Her favorite is yogurt and oh she loves bananas! Also vegteable soup, I warm it up a little, then add water, and drain most of it (b/c some soups have a lot of sodium) but it still gives the veggies some flavor. Also peanut butter crackers in small pieces...Really anything in small pieces. Good luck!

It's very hard to overcome a picky eater but try making meal time more fun. I played the whole airplane game and even did peek-a-boo with them to make them eat. Luckily my almost 19 mos old daughter eats anything though. She would honestly eat all day if allowed. Try cutting the veggies and fruit into fun shapes and just making it more enjoyable for him to eat. Good luck.

Unfortunately your son is just at that age where they are very picky. Both of my children went through that. I was always told (by doctors) to let them eat what they will eat, within reason. Not too much sugar or unhealthy foods, but the important thing is that they eat, period. Try a lot of different items, see what he'll eat, then rotate those items so he gets a good balance. Maybe add some cheerio's in the mix. Good Luck!
T.

I have a 15 month old grandson that eats everything from corn to hamburger!!We give him pieces of whatever we eat.We found out that ravioli and spaghetti and meatballs were pretty much his favorite.Its messy because he thinks he has to feed himself all the time.I've been giving him different kinds of fruit and veggies and if I don't eat some first and say yummy he won't eat them!!!Good luck!!!

Well, my daughter that just turned 2 eats everything. We have only found one thing that she won't eat, she even eats seafood. But, I have a sister that is very picky. For her she will eat veggies as long as she couldn't taste them. You could try making regular mac & cheese and add veggies to it. I have found that even the most picky eater will eat some veggies that way.

My daughter is now 3 1/2, but for years her favorite lunch has consisted of Vienna sausages (a meat, but still very soft and easy to chew), some type of fruit (grapes, pineapples, fruit cup, apple sauce, apple slices, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, raisins... anything easy to chew), and a dairy product (a slice of American cheese, diced cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.). She also loves the little chicken nuggets made by Tyson that are frozen and can be cooked in the microwave in 1 minute. We also make mac&cheese with green peas and sliced hot dogs all mixed together... another favorite! She loves PB&J sandwiches, but also PB & banana, ham & cheese (or turkey, roast beef, whatever), egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, and grilled cheese with tomotoes or ketchup.

Then for dinners we have fish sticks, hot dogs, corn on the cob (may be tricky at 15 months, but they seem to have fun with it... and they can't really choke on it any more than corn from a can, so why not!), butterbeans, greenbeans, cooked carrots, spaghetti (with or without sauce), spaghetti-o's, ravioli, mashed potatoes, small frozen pizzas, biscuits or rolls... all of these things are things that take 10 minutes or less to prepare and are great if you are having something you would not feed to him (like steak, for instance) or if he is eating at a separate time than you for any reason. But obviously you can still let him try things you are eating as well.

For breakfasts we have cereal, oatmeal, frozen waffles or pancakes, cinnamon toast, Pop-tarts, bananas, cinnamon rolls... again, quick and easy but filling and nutritious (generally).

I was in the same boat as you, seeming to always give her the same things. But my Mom made some of these suggestions, and then said to just be creative. Look around the grocery store and see what I can find that is quick, easy, nutritious, and tastes good to kids. It's fun to experiment with different foods, so just try things and see what he likes. Some clear favorites will emerge, but keep introducing new things.

Some of this has already been mentioned, but my 13 month old daughter loves banannas, dry cereal, mac n cheese, vienna sausages, any kind of fruit, and a lot of other things. One thing that has made it easier for me....I have a little mini collendar (sp?) and I rinse everything that I get out of a can before I give it to her. This helps with three things: She doesn't get as messy, I can rinse the sugary syrup off of canned fruits, and I don't spend as much money as I would on the Gerber Graduates foods. If you open up a normal can of ravioli and rinse it off, it's just like the Gerber Graduates kind but about half the cost. Also, I started packing green beans in the diaper bag for her to eat in her stroller instead of cookies or fruit snacks. Just a few ideas, hope they help, and good luck!

I have a 2 and a half year old son but when he was that age I used to feed him cut up spaghetti a lot he loved it. I was kinda messy with it though. I wouldn't even put it in a bowl at first, I just put it in his high chair and let him go to town.He wouldn't use a spoon or fork then so he used his hands. Needless to say he took a bath right after dinner. It makes some very cute pictures too. I also fed him a ot of mac and cheese. He liked grilled cheese sandwiches cut in tiny pieces. The only fruit at that time he ate was bananas sliced up. I hope some of this helps you out.

D. Sedler wrote:
> I feed my one year old, whatever we eat. I just make sure it is cut
> up small enough to swallow whole so I don't have to worry about her
> getting choked on anything. She seems to enjoy pasta and rice more
> than anything so I just try to hide all the other stuff I want her to
> eat in it. Like rice and mushrooms, spaghetti with spinach, and
> chicken alfredo with steamed broccoli and cauliflower.
>
> I have also noticed that if you know they will eat something but it is
> not their favorite out of what you are feeding them at that meal, and
> then give it to them first and solely. Let them eat a good portion of
> that before you give them something else that they may like more.
>
> Taylor also seems to like Raison cinnamon bread too and that works
> real well for a semi healthy snack. Vanilla flavored yogurt with any
> kind of fruit, granola, graham crackers, or just plain is a favorite
> too. I have noticed that she likes to dip things like celery in ranch
> dressing or apples in caramel. Potato soup with chives and cheese
> added are a big thing with both my one year old and 3 year old.
>
> I hope this helps or stimulates some other ideas for you.

Hey there, I have a 16 month old boy. I usually switch things up - peanut butter and jelly/jam sandwiches are great for lunch, cheese sandwiches, and even though my son was a little behind with his teeth coming in, we would give him puree'd meats mixed with mac and cheese (which my son LOVES). Just like everyone else has said, give your child what you eat. Oh yeah and for breakfast I like to give my son Yo Baby Yogurt with oatmeal mixed in. Once they are eating grown up foods, they could get constipated - oatmeal really helps! Good luck!

Children tend to be picky because we let them and then it develops into life long behavior and we look back and wonder how it happened. You are right to want to give him more veggies and fruit. I would try greenbeans, broccoli, if he likes cheese you could put a little bit on these and he will probably be more likely to eat it, but don't overdue, or he will never get a taste for these veggies, also if he likes mashed potatoes, cook up some cauliflower til it is really tender and add some butter and milk, and use a mixer til they are the consistence of potatoes, cauliflower is better than potatoes and the taste of these are just terrific. If he like watermelon you might want to try grapes, and maybe pineapple or pears, something that is a big more watery and has only a little flavor. Keep introducing stuff as he gets older he will learn to like them and you won't have such a struggle, and always have something at major meal times that he loves, and offer that only after he has eaten the other stuff, this might help you get him to eat his good foods too.

Hi J.,
I have two boys, a 5 year old and an almost 2 year old. When my oldest was a toddler, he was pretty picky, and so we were always fixing him eggs or grilled cheese sandwiches. As a result, he is now very picky. My younger son has eaten everything from day one.
So, your question is: What do you feed your toddler? My answer: Feed him what you eat. (Hopefully you are a healthy eater, if not, now is a great time to start!) At 15 months, a toddler can and should eat whatever the rest of the family is eating. I have never made "special" meals for my 2 year old, and as a result, he's a great eater. If you are at a loss about foods to prepare, check your library for some cookbooks. I found a great one called "First Meals" (can't remember the author) and it gave me some good ideas. Another great one is "Feed Me, I'm Yours," by Vicki Lansky. I also rely a lot on my old Betty Crocker cookbook. You can find tons of recipes online. You can keep meals simple, but well-rounded. Don't be afraid to try new things!

I love sitting down to meals with my boys! (Most of the time, anyway) If you haven't already, try starting to have family meals. It's really a great habit to get into. Your son will see you and your husband eating different things, and hopefully want to try them himself.

Good luck!

My son is also a very picky eater. He really likes fruit. I usually can get him fruit cups(such as apple sauce, cut pineapple, sliced peaches, etc.) I have notices however that most of the stuff that I likes or craved when pregnant he usually likes alot. But its ok for him to be picky now. As long as he is eatin something he should be fine.

Hi J.! I actually have the same problem and submitted it last week. I got a lot of great responses. Most of it was just not to worry. Kids go through picky stages. As long as they are eating and not losing weight then you should be ok. You can supplement with vitamins and Pediasure. My daughter is 14 months and some days she'll eat anything but most days it's just cheese, also, and jelly sandwiches. As she gets older it'll be easier to get them to try different foods. Good luck!

Hi J..
Like you, I feel like all I ever give my son (14 months) is cheese and bananas. I try to give him a little of what we eat and sometimes I give him some things that I like and I want him to try. Some things that I have found that works with my son is black olive slices (he likes to stick them on his fingers and eat them off), canteloupe, mango (I buy the jarred kind in the produce department), roast beef, smoked turkey (both are the deli thin slices), beans (either canned or from a soup I've made all day long), sliced carrots, green beans, and anything else that he is willing to try. Sometimes it goes past his tongue, most times it doesn't, but he seems to enjoy himself and he's not starving.
Good Luck!
N.

Raisens, peanuts, and cherrios mixed are a good source of nutrients. I also would take regular lunch meat and ripe it into small pieces, apple sauce, crackers, and a slice of cheese. You could also try apples and peanut butter. You also can easily peel the strings off celery with a butter knife, after the strings are gone they are easier to chew, then just give him some peanut butter or if you are okay with ranch let him dip it, pretty much any veggie cut in strip with ranch they will eat. Dipping is really fun them, and it makes them feel big. Broccoli with cheese melted on it is also a good way to go, just cut the broccoli up really small and put shredded cheese over, zap in the microwave and if he is a cheese loer he will eat it. Sweet potatoes with a little butter and cinnimon are also really easy to make in the microwave. Make it fun for him. Kraftfoods.com has a kids food section that you can look up fun foods for kids.

Hi! I am a mom of two and childcare provider. At 15 months he should be eating pretty much whatever you eat, just with less seasoning. For instance, if you're eating chicken, cut him up some too. If he doesnt like it the first time, keep offering it. Also try chicken noodle soup, you can drain the broth for a less messy meal! Mac. and cheese. Grilled cheese, PB&J, rice, eggs.... he can pretty much eat anything! My 9 month old enjoys Blueberries, apples, canteloupe, peaches, pears, avacado, carrots, sweet pots, zuchinni, watermelon, tofu... and a some of them mixed together.

Again- I would just try giving him what the family is eating. If what you are cooking has a lot of spices, take some out for him before you spice it up. Also- something I have noticed after watching kids for 11 years is- have a set lunch and dinner time. Have the child remain seated for at least 30 minutes with their food in front of them. you would be AMAZED at how this gets kids to eat. I have watched many children where the parents said their kids wouldnt eat and they were amazed at what I could get them to eat. The only thing I did different was give lunch everyday from 12-12:30 and the kids sat at the table for that time frame. Eventually they decided to eat, b/c they couldnt get up and play, so they might as well eat!!

PS> I noticed alot of people suggesting peanuts, grapes, raisens, and hotdogs... PLEASE be careful with these as they are all choking hazards!!! I would personally hold off on the raisens and peanuts for now. As for grapes and hotdogs, cut them up VERY small!

I have a 2 year old son who has been doing the same thing since he was about that age. I was concerned about it because of the past history of my 7 year old daughter loving her cheese and getting constipated from it, I talked to his physician. He gave me some ideas such as trying to give a can of vienna sausauge or some kind of finger foods that he can easily pick up. My son has been eating with a spoon by himself since he was about 10 or 11 months old but at that time he was just tired of it. His favorites are now any green veggies, hot dogs, vienna sausages, and fish sticks. I don't know if it will work but hopefully it helps.

My son is also very picky. He is 7 now so we can usually get him to eat more things with little porblem. But when they are that young they just don't understand nutrition and why they should eat things they don't like. For now just try getting him some vitamins or vitamin drinks. For many years my son had pizza on Thanks Giving Day because he wouldn't eat turkey or anything else, so it will get better. I wish you luck!

I had the same issue with my daughter all she would ever eat is beefaroni(eeewwww). Finally I started trying things like cucumber(peeled and sliced) and ham and turkey. She also loves pickles. As far as fruit I started with the del monte fruit cups and then went to fresh fruit. Both of my kids adore clementines(a small tangerine like fruit). I also tried waffles(the quick ones that go in the toaster), with jelly not syrup. They love this too. You could try a tortilla roll with ham lettuce and cheese sliced into finger sized pieces. Hope some of this helps. Kraftfoods.com is a great source for kid friendly snacks and foods when you are trying to get them to eat veggies and fruit. They put a fun spin on it! Good luck !