Nobody tells you that one of the most stressful parts of being a parent is making sure your child is eating and eating well! Sometimes you end up serving the same foods over and over again because they are easy and familiar. And while the most important thing is that your child is healthy and happy, we understand the guilt that comes with getting stuck in a food rut! To help you mix things up a bit, we’ve created a list of 40 easy meal ideas to give your toddler a well-balanced diet. Let’s get started!
Quick Tips
– Make sure your little one is getting their fair share of each main food group: fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains.
– Be mindful of choking hazards and prepare food appropriately. For more information, visit the CDC’s official website here.
– Keep frozen veggies on hand! These are super easy to pop in the microwave when you’re rushed, and they aren’t any less nutritious than fresh vegetables.
– We provide specific examples of meals, but you can always mix-and-match or substitute an item for something similar to suit your child’s needs.
Breakfast
1) Oatmeal with cinnamon, raspberries, and blueberries
2) Scrambled eggs, granola bar, and peaches
3) Peanut butter toast and bananas
4) Pancakes topped with nut butter or yogurt, and strawberries
5) Hard-boiled eggs, hash browns, and grapes
6) French toast topped with nut butter or yogurt, and blackberries
7) Avocado toast and mangoes
8) Cheerios, yogurt, and a mandarin orange
9) Ham and cheese omelet with cantaloupe and honeydew
10) Scrambled eggs, avocado chunks, and tortilla strips
Lunch
1) Quesadilla with avocado and black beans
2) Cottage cheese on toast, a mandarin orange, and cucumber
3) Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with celery and peaches
4) Fish sticks, potato wedges, and apple slices
5) Avocado, turkey, and cheese wrap with grapes
6) Grilled cheese, tomatoes, and orange slices
7) Mac ‘n cheese, peas, corn, and raspberries
8) Lunch meat, granola bar, kiwi, and squash
9) Pita bread and hummus, blueberries, and zuchinni
10) Tuna salad, sweet potato, and pear
Dinner
1) Rotisserie chicken, broccoli, and mashed potatoes
2)Tacos (can serve deconstructed) with avocado and rice
3) Chicken nuggets, potato wedges, and corn
4) Shredded chicken, brown rice, broccoli, and cauliflower
5) Pork chop, baked potato, and green beans
6) Chicken fried rice and vegetable stir fry
7) Spinach and cheese tortellini, asparagus, and beans
8) Chicken noodle soup and whole wheat crackers
9) Spaghetti and meatballs with peas
10) Ground turkey, zucchini, and squash
Snacks
1) Cheerios and blueberries
2) Cheese and whole wheat crackers
3) Celery with hummus
4) Cottage cheese and orange slices
5) Yogurt with strawberries
6) Granola bar and cheese stick
7) Fruit, oats, and veggie pouch
8) Guacamole and crackers
9) Hard-boiled egg and avocado
10) Toast with nut butter and strawberries
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