Feeding your toddler a balanced and varied diet can be challenging, especially when you’re short on time or energy. You may wonder what foods to include, how much to serve, and how to make meals appealing and enjoyable for your little one. If you’re looking for some tips and ideas on making healthy toddler meals that are balanced, varied, and nutritious, this guide is for you.
It answers common questions about what foods to include, how much to serve, and how to make meals fun and tasty for toddlers. It also gives some easy and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas that cover all the food groups and provides essential nutrients for toddlers.
Contents
What is a Balanced Diet for Toddlers?
A balanced diet for toddlers comprises diverse foods from various food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and more. Dairy and meat. These foods provide the essential nutrients toddlers need for growth and development, such as protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and fibre. A balanced diet for toddlers also includes some nutritious fats, such as the ones found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish.
A balanced diet for toddlers doesn’t have to be achieved at every meal, but it’s good to include something from each group at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with others delivered in snack form.
How Much should my toddler Eat?
Toddlers have small stomachs and may not eat a lot at one time. As a guide, toddlers need three meals, two to three snacks, and six to eight drinks daily. The portion size for toddlers is generally about the size of their cupped hand. However, toddlers are good at judging their appetites and may eat more or less depending on their hunger, activity level, and mood. It is important to respect your toddler’s cues and not force them to eat more or less than they want.
Check out: Healthy Creami Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
What are Some Healthy Toddler Breakfast Meals?
Breakfast is the day’s most important meal, especially for toddlers who need a good start to their busy day of learning and playing. Here are some healthy toddler breakfast meals that are easy to make and delicious.
- French toast fruit skewers: Cut some whole wheat bread into small pieces and dip them in a mixture of eggs and milk. Cook them in a skillet until golden brown. Cut some fresh or canned fruit into bite-sized pieces. Thread the French toast and fruit pieces onto kid-friendly skewers like straws or popsicle sticks. Serve with some maple syrup or yoghurt for dipping.
- Banana ‘sushi’: Peel and cut a banana into thick slices. Apply a layer of peanut butter or almond butter onto each slice. Roll the slices in some crushed cereal or granola. Arrange the slices on a plate like sushi rolls. Serve with some milk or juice.
- Fruit and yoghurt parfait: Layer plain or vanilla yoghurt with fresh or frozen berries in a glass or a bowl. Sprinkle some cereal or granola on top for some crunch. For an added touch of sweetness, you can also drizzle some honey or maple syrup.
- PB&J waffles: Toast whole wheat or multigrain waffles and spread peanut butter and jelly. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve with some fresh fruit on the side.
- Toad in the hole toast: Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut a hole in the centre of a slice of whole wheat bread. Warm up a skillet by heating some butter or oil and place the bread in it. Crack an egg and carefully place it into the hole. Cook until the egg is set, then flip and cook the other side. Serve with some ketchup or salsa.
What are Some Healthy Toddler Lunch Meals?
Lunch is another important meal for toddlers, as it helps them refuel their energy and stay focused for the rest of the day. Here are some healthy toddler lunch meals;
- Chicken and corn tacos: Shred some rotisserie chicken and mix it with thawed frozen corn. Spoon some of the mixture onto small tortillas and fold them in half. Accompany it with salsa or sour cream for dipping when serving.
- Quick pasta and peas: Cook some star or alphabet pasta according to the package directions. Drain and toss with some butter and parmesan cheese. Add some frozen peas and heat until warm. Serve with some milk or juice.
- Cucumber hummus wrap: Spread some hummus on a whole wheat tortilla. Top with some thinly sliced cucumber and roll it up. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with some baby carrots or cherry tomatoes.
- Quick pizzas: Use whole wheat pita bread, tortillas, or English muffins as the pizza base. Spread some pizza sauce on top and sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Add any toppings your toddler likes, such as pepperoni, ham, pineapple, mushrooms, etc. Please place it in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with some salad or fruit.
- Cheesy veggie toast: Toast whole wheat bread and sprinkle some shredded cheese. Microwave until the cheese is melted. Top with some thawed frozen veggies, such as carrots, corn, peas, etc. Serve with some yoghurt or applesauce.
What are Some Healthy Toddler Dinner Meals?
Dinner is the last meal of the day for toddlers, so it should be satisfying and nutritious. Here are some healthy toddler dinner meals that are easy to make and tasty.
- Broccoli egg cups: Whisk some eggs and milk in a bowl. Add some chopped broccoli and shredded cheddar cheese. If desired, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper for added seasoning. Empty the mixture into a muffin tin coated with cooking spray. Bake in the oven until the eggs are set. Serve with some toast or fruit.
- Spinach banana pancakes: Mash a ripe banana in a bowl. Add an egg and whisk well. Include baby spinach and blend it until smooth Utilize an immersion blender or a food processor for the blending process. Cook the batter in skillet-like pancakes. Serve with some nut butter or maple syrup.
- Veggie grilled cheese: Spread butter on two slices of whole wheat bread. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on one slice. Top with some roasted mashed sweet potato or pumpkin. Cover with the other slice of bread and cook in a skillet until golden and cheesy. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with some soup or salad.
- Shortcut fried rice: Heat some cooked rice in a skillet with oil. Add some frozen peas and a scrambled egg. Stir-fry until everything is heated through. Season with some reduced-sodium soy sauce. Serve with some chicken nuggets or tofu cubes.
- Bean and cheese quesadillas: Spread refried beans on a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half and cook it in a skillet until it turns golden and becomes cheesy. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with some salsa or guacamole.
Related: A Fit Philosophy Healthy Gluten-Free Easy Recipes
What are Some Tips for Making Healthy Toddler Meals?
Some tips for making healthy toddler meals are:
- Offer variety: Include foods from different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and meat, in your toddler’s meals. This will help your toddler get a balanced diet and expose them to different flavours and textures.
- Offer choice: Let your toddler have some say in what they eat, within reason. For example, you can let your toddler choose between two healthy options: apple, banana, pasta, or rice. This will help your toddler feel more controlled and willing to try new foods.
- Make food fun: Use cookie cutters, skewers, shapes, colours, and names to make food more appealing and exciting for your toddler. For example, you can cut sandwiches into stars or hearts, make fruit kabobs, or call broccoli “little trees.”
- Be patient: Don’t force your toddler to eat something they don’t like or don’t want to try. Instead, offer small portions of new and familiar foods, and encourage your toddler to taste them without pressure. It may take several tries before your toddler accepts a new food, so be patient and persistent.
- Be a role model: The best way to teach your toddler to eat healthy is to eat healthy yourself. Show your toddler that you enjoy eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nourishing foods while avoiding eating junk food or skipping meals in front of your toddler.
Recommended for you:
