Prepping meals for your toddler can be a highly time-consuming task. We only want them to eat a healthy meal, which happens 3 to 4 times daily. We all know the struggle of steering them away from snacks to keep their appetite for that just-about-ready meal. With all the food and nutrients toddlers need, preparing daily meals can be a full-time job.
Providing a balanced, varied diet is one of the most effective strategies to ensure your child gets the right nutrients. In most circumstances, even picky eaters can get in all their nutrients through the food you serve them. This article will delve into toddler meals, what to serve them and how to be on top of your toddler meal game.
Check out our article on Cooking Must Haves.
Nutrients for Toddler Meals
As we mentioned earlier, toddlers need various nutrients to grow and develop. These nutrients include protein, fat, iron, and calcium. Protein helps fuel growth in toddlers. Some protein sources are meat, dairy, beans and whole grains. Healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, support brain development. Omega 3 is mainly found in seafood; your toddler may not enjoy it. Additional sources of fat are in milk, eggs, or supplements. Calcium and vitamin D are found in cow’s milk, yogurt, and fortified plant-based milk, yogurt, tofu, and beans.
Breakfast: Toddler Meals
As I’m sure you all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even more so for toddlers and children. A well-balanced breakfast will satisfy your little one longer, avoiding an energy crash. Your toddler’s ideal breakfast should include Protein/ fat carbs and fibre. Let’s dive into some quick toddler meals that meet the protein, carbs and fibre criteria.
Toast, Peanut Butter, Fruits and a Glass of Milk
Although a basic breakfast can be changed every time, the fruits can be alternated, and the peanut butter can be replaced with buttered toast, date spread, etc. Additionally, the bread can be switched up to whole wheat or white.
Scrambled Egg Tortilla sandwich, Fruits and a Glass of Milk
A tortilla sandwich is a great way to give your toddler the proper daily nutrients. Add cheese or butter to the eggs and customize it to your child’s preference.
Yogurt and Granola
This is a delicious, kid-friendly, satisfying breakfast option. Yogurt can be switched up every once in a while, from vanilla to strawberry to peaches. This breakfast idea is great for picky eaters.
Toppings, such as chocolate chips, fruits, granola, chopped nuts, etc., can be placed in small bowls, and children can add the toppings by themselves.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fibre-filled breakfast option. Whether you make overnight or microwaveable oats, add some fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, or even nut butter.
Lunch: Toddler Meals
Lunch can be challenging because it’s a mid-day, mid-day meal. One thing is certain: It must be quick and easy to prepare. Our toddler meal ideas will make lunch prep in your house a breeze.
Snack plate
Although a snack plate may not seem like the healthiest option, it is the easiest way to keep those bellies full. You can add many things to the snack plate: cheese, pretzels, deli meat, nuts, and, most importantly, fruits and veggies.
Pasta, Fruits and Veggies
Toss some pasta with your kids’ favourite toppings—pesto, cheese and marinara sauce, or ketchup, a kid’s classic. Cut up their favourite fruits and veggies on the side, and you have the perfect lunch.
Sandwich and a side of Yogurt
Some deli meat or nut butter in the sandwich with a side of yogurt is a quick and easy meal idea that even picky eaters will be happy to devour. Change up the sandwich occasionally so they don’t get bored.
Snack Plate + Eggs
Boiled eggs are a toddler favourite. Add cucumbers, Hummus, and crackers on the side, and you have a protein-packed meal in minutes.
Snacks
The typical toddler, whom you consider a good eater, will need three meals daily and two snacks. Snack time is often tricky because they seem to gobble up the snacks, making you wonder if they need another meal. Offering packaged snacks occasionally is okay, but snacks should be balanced, just like meals.
Smoothie
Blend a combination of fruits, some nut butter, a date or two, yogurt, and even some veggies, and voila, you have a perfectly balanced snack idea.
Veggie Platter and a Dip
Cut up any vegetables in the fridge and add a dip on the side: Hummus, Guacamole, Thousand Island, or Ranch.
Dinner: Toddler Meals
Dinner time presents its challenges for each family. Ideally, many families adapt their dinner to meet their children’s needs. However, while it doesn’t happen every night, it is important for the children of the household. It teaches kids table etiquette, promotes healthy eating habits, and teaches them the importance of family time.
The following dinner ideas will not please everyone due to cultural differences, family favourites and family traditions. However, we hope you can gain some inspiration.
Make Your Pizza
Whether you prepared your pizza dough or defrosted some store-bought pizza, this is an excellent meal for toddlers to join in on. Prepare the pizza station with the dough, sauce, toppings, and cheese, and let the kids make their own pizza.
Toppings could include tomatoes, onions, olives, pepperoni, bell pepper, and sausage. The more the kids help in the kitchen, the likelier they are to eat the meal.
Pasta and Veggies
An all-time kids’ favourite is pasta, and what’s better than making it a healthy meal option? Add their favourite sauce and toss in some veggies, and there you have it.
Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan dinners are customizable for you and your family. Add your favourite meat/ protein and vegetable in a pan, toss with your favourite seasoning, and put them into the oven.
Closing Thoughts – Toddler Meals
Throughout this article, we reviewed some go-to toddler meals that are nutritious and easy to assemble, from breakfast ideas to go-to snacks to easy throw-in-the-pan dinners. We know the struggle of feeding those picky toddlers. The meal ideas mentioned in this guide are winners, even for those picky eaters.
Sometimes, the trick to getting those bellies full is to include them in the meal preparation process. Whether adding toppings to the pizza, peeling the vegetables for your sheet-pan dinner, or helping wash the dishes, we hope this toddler meal guide will be your reference when you need some go-to toddler meals.
What is a good meal for a sick toddler?
It’s pretty standard for kids to have a decreased appetite when they’re sick. The best meal is hearty chicken soup. Even if they don’t eat the veggies or chicken, a few spoons of the soup can do wonders.
Besides that, sick kids usually agree to eat bland foods like pasta, rice, and crackers. Although that’s not a nutritious meal, it’s for the short term until they recover from being sick.
What is the best way to go about snack time before dinner?
Many struggle with snack time before dinner. We recommend satisfying their snack cravings close to two hours before serving dinner. Another option is to give part of dinner as they snack. For example, some cut-up vegetables you planned to serve with dinner can be given as a snack instead.
What are some of the easiest toddler meals?
Some easy options for toddler meals include a classic pasta and cheese dish, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs and the list goes on.
What is a good dinner for a toddler?
Some easy toddler meals include baked chicken tenders, lasagna, bagel pizzas and more.
What to cook for picky toddlers?
Picky toddler meal ideas can be breakfast for dinner or pasta with a nutrient packed sauce including your choice of vegetables. Be creative and try your best giving them their favourite food but pack it with nutrients.
