Quick and Easy Dinners for Toddlers?

[pelers]

So... my munchkin has finally completely transitioned to table food. He's pretty decent at eating with his fingers (he's like me, though... doesn't like getting stuff ON his fingers) and has gotten the hang of stuffing a loaded fork into his mouth, but we're still working on the stabbing the food part of that process.

Usually hubby and I share whatever it is that we're having for dinner with him. Since we aren't always the most nutritious of people, especially when dinner time tends to be really rushed (hubby gets home at 6, I like to have munchkin in bath and to bed by 7) I'm trying to get some ideas for quick, easy and nutritious toddler dinners.

Suggestions? Stuff that can be prepped either in advance or only takes 10-15 minutes to put together and cook is what I'm aiming for.

 

[Roberta]

So... my munchkin has finally completely transitioned to table food. He's pretty decent at eating with his fingers (he's like me, though... doesn't like getting stuff ON his fingers) and has gotten the hang of stuffing a loaded fork into his mouth, but we're still working on the stabbing the food part of that process.

Usually hubby and I share whatever it is that we're having for dinner with him. Since we aren't always the most nutritious of people, especially when dinner time tends to be really rushed (hubby gets home at 6, I like to have munchkin in bath and to bed by 7) I'm trying to get some ideas for quick, easy and nutritious toddler dinners.

Suggestions? Stuff that can be prepped either in advance or only takes 10-15 minutes to put together and cook is what I'm aiming for.

Fruits, Vegetables and a lean Protein.

 

[Hank]

Fruits, Vegetables and a lean Protein.

word

 

[Roberta]

word

Are you stalking me with your thug B/S?

 

[kwillia]

Are you stalking me with your thug B/S?

He is agreeing with you... are you trying to bully him?

 

[Wenchy]

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He might like sweet potato fries.

 

[Roberta]

He is agreeing with you... are you trying to bully him?

Nope I have no clue what "word" reply means. I asked in another thread and didn't get a answer. :shrug:

 

[libertytyranny]

I make monster whatever I'm eating, she loves everything! But if I don't eat, or have something like sushi (though she eats cali rolls, and lovessss them) I give her half a banana and some cheerios, scrambled eggs, veggies and noodles (at walmart they have small servings of veggies in cups, kind of like fruit cups. Wayyy cheaper than the ones advertised for toddlers) a microwaved sweet potato and some chicken, a grilled cheese (I use whole grain bread and real cheese not that plastic stuff) oatmeal and fruit, roasted chickpeas, some sauteed firm tofu..there are lots of options..my kid eats anything and everything

 

[pelers]

I've tried PB&J... he's not a fan. Going to try again sans peanut butter, maybe it's just too sticky.

Also tried quesadillas last night, he wouldn't let one get within 6 inches of his face.


Along similar lines, I was thinking of making up some trail mix type snacks for him. Any suggestions what to put in? I was thinking some puffs, cheerios (they have so many flavors now, it's crazy!), raisins, maybe some dehydrated/freeze-dried fruits...

 

[lovinmaryland]

scrambled eggs
hard boiled eggs chunked up
turkey dogs cut into strips
egg noodles cooked in chicken broth
cooked veggies (green beans, carrots, broccoli, summer squash, butternut squash etc...)
fruits: bananas, avacado, peaches, berries,
cheese cut into small cubes
rice
cooked pasta


You can mix and match any of those to make a healthy meal for a toddler.

 

[Roberta]

I've tried PB&J... he's not a fan. Going to try again sans peanut butter, maybe it's just too sticky.

Also tried quesadillas last night, he wouldn't let one get within 6 inches of his face.


Along similar lines, I was thinking of making up some trail mix type snacks for him. Any suggestions what to put in? I was thinking some puffs, cheerios (they have so many flavors now, it's crazy!), raisins, maybe some dehydrated/freeze-dried fruits...

Why at this young impressionable age are you going to feed your child snack food for dinner? Stop being lazy and prepare healthy meals, even if you have to do it the night before. I am not saying that an occasional PB&J with Fruit is a bad thing, just not a good idea for a steady diet. JMHO

 

[Wenchy]

Why at this young impressionable age are you going to feed your child snack food for dinner? Stop being lazy and prepare healthy meals, even if you have to do it the night before. I am not saying that an occasional PB&J with Fruit is a bad thing, just not a good idea for a steady diet. JMHO

My little one went through a mac and cheese phase and then a PB&J phase. He wouldn't eat anything else. The pediatrician said he was healthy and give him what he wants. He did always like sweet potatoes.

He (who is now taller than I am) is healthy and will eat anything I make or he makes or any restaurant has.

He still wants mac and cheese. It's now a "special treat".

 

[Hank]

Nope I have no clue what "word" reply means. I asked in another thread and didn't get a answer. :shrug:

bully

 

[lovinmaryland]

My little one went through a mac and cheese phase and then a PB&J phase. He wouldn't eat anything else. The pediatrician said he was healthy and give him what he wants. He did always like sweet potatoes.

He (who is now taller than I am) is healthy and will eat anything I make or he makes or any restaurant has.

He still wants mac and cheese. It's now a "special treat".

I've got one like that only eats PB&J, Sausage, eggs, bacon, and of all things Broccolli

 

[RareBreed]

I've got one like that only eats PB&J, Sausage, eggs, bacon, and of all things Broccolli

My two (11 and almost 8) love broccoli too. Whenever they order it at a restaurant, the waitress will say, "Oh mom, lighten up and let them have fries." They are always amazed that my kids like it and would rather eat it than fries.

 

[Roberta]

My two (11 and almost 8) love broccoli too. Whenever they order it at a restaurant, the waitress will say, "Oh mom, lighten up and let them have fries." They are always amazed that my kids like it and would rather eat it than fries.

Good for you. You obliviously did something right when they were young for them to like Healthy Food.

 

[RareBreed]

Good for you. You obliviously did something right when they were young for them to like Healthy Food.

Honestly, I didn't do a thing. They have known early on that I hate most vegatables and I only make them because they eat them.

 

[pelers]

Why at this young impressionable age are you going to feed your child snack food for dinner? Stop being lazy and prepare healthy meals, even if you have to do it the night before. I am not saying that an occasional PB&J with Fruit is a bad thing, just not a good idea for a steady diet. JMHO

I didn't intend the trail mix for dinner. I intended it as a snack type thing I can take along with me while out and about, I was asking for advice about stuff I could put in that would add nutritional content that other parents have had success with. My post said that I was looking to use that as a snack, NOT as a dinner.

 

[lovinmaryland]

I didn't intend the trail mix for dinner. I intended it as a snack type thing I can take along with me while out and about, I was asking for advice about stuff I could put in that would add nutritional content that other parents have had success with. My post said that I was looking to use that as a snack, NOT as a dinner.

Dont mind her she always has a stick up her ass

 

[SoMDGirl42]

So... my munchkin has finally completely transitioned to table food. He's pretty decent at eating with his fingers (he's like me, though... doesn't like getting stuff ON his fingers) and has gotten the hang of stuffing a loaded fork into his mouth, but we're still working on the stabbing the food part of that process.

Usually hubby and I share whatever it is that we're having for dinner with him. Since we aren't always the most nutritious of people, especially when dinner time tends to be really rushed (hubby gets home at 6, I like to have munchkin in bath and to bed by 7) I'm trying to get some ideas for quick, easy and nutritious toddler dinners.

Suggestions? Stuff that can be prepped either in advance or only takes 10-15 minutes to put together and cook is what I'm aiming for.

Since toddlers don't eat much, when you prepare meals, get some freezer containers and freeze one or two meals for him for those nights you need something quick and healthy for him. It's quicker to heat up and serve those than to prepare an entire meal, or just have him eat the left overs from the night before. Every night save him a meal from your dinner. The next night, heat up his dinner and let him eat while you are preparing dinner for you and hubby for that evening. He'll just be a day behind you on his meal plan.