https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:03:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800480 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:56:54 +0000 jennlin821 2800480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thunderstorm: These look awesome, I'm definitely going to order some. She loves crunchy items, but with only four teeth, I couldn't find much! Plus we need to up her peanut intake, she is still a bit wary of peanut butter. </p> <p>@Mrs. Goose: I should try out some soy products just to see if she'll eat them, for times when we are out an about and very busy. </p> <p>@IRunForFun: Thanks for the recommendation, I'll try the Dr. Praegers burger! </p> <p>@Pollywog: Yes, actually that is part of the problem, she basically can put the spoon into the food and get the spoon to her mouth, but can't get enough food onto the spoon. And she won't let me hold the spoon with her, or feed her. She wants to do it by herself, but the gets frustrated because she's hungry but can't get a big enough bite into her mouth. So she ends up trying to eat it with her hands (but then she freaks out because she doesn't like anything stuck to her fingers - this is why baked oatmeal would be good!) I'm sure that in a few months, she will be able to really eat with a spoon.</p> <p>Again thank you everyone for all of the ideas and recipes.<br /> I love this community! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800476 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:50:34 +0000 looch 2800476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: Thanks for this! I am going to try this as a snack to include in my son's lunchbox. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800471 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:35:23 +0000 cnidaria 2800471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennlin821: For finger-food friendly lentils, I tried these a few months back, they were actually pretty tasty: <a href="https://www.myfussyeater.com/lentil-veggie-nuggets-recipe-kids/" rel="nofollow">https://www.myfussyeater.com/lentil-veggie-nuggets-recipe-kids/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800452 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 08:04:18 +0000 lamariniere 2800452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: thank you! Those both sound so good and you’re right, the basic recipe can serve as a good base for other variations! I’m going to try to make one this week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800441 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 06:54:27 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2800441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: <a href="http://fooddoodles.com/pizza-quinoa-casserole/" rel="nofollow">http://fooddoodles.com/pizza-quinoa-casserole/</a></p> <p>I have made that a lot, but without fennel or nutritional yeast as I just use the recipe for inspiration and add mushrooms, olives, and finely chopped carrots and celery. It’s really tasty. </p> <p>And this one was a hit too with the kids. <a href="http://ifoodreal.com/spinach-artichoke-quinoa-casserole/" rel="nofollow">http://ifoodreal.com/spinach-artichoke-quinoa-casserole/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800435 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 02:58:26 +0000 lamariniere 2800435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: Do you have a recipe for the quinoa casserole? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800357 Sun, 28 Jan 2018 11:55:26 +0000 Pollywog 2800357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One question, have you let her feed herself with spoons? My toddler loves to feed himself. </p> <p>In terms of foods, his favorites are black beans and corn, sweet potato risotto, paella, peas, any kind of bean, cheese, and yogurt pouches. We also do a lot of pasta and veggies. There's only one type of meat he will eat, so he eats a ton of vegetarian meals </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800336 Sun, 28 Jan 2018 09:22:02 +0000 IRunForFun 2800336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennlin821: My 1 year old loves Dr. Praeger's brand California veggie burgers. I don't think there's much soy in them. I just cut it up into big chunks and she shoves them in her mouth. Also, she eats beans and doesn't seem to have any tummy trouble! We aren't vegetarian but she doesn't seem to like meat.</p> <p>ETA: The Dr. Praeger's All American veggie burger has pea protein and no soy at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800330 Sun, 28 Jan 2018 08:39:54 +0000 LemonJack 2800330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We aren't vegetarian, but we eat a lot of vegetarian meals and DD1 is not a big fan of most meats. She gets a lot of her protein from eggs (sometimes multiple times a day), beans, and peanut butter (usually in the morning). At 3 she also really likes fish now too, although it took awhile for her to like it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800026 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 15:06:18 +0000 Dahlia 2800026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD loves beans and lentils. Especially chili, lentil soup and lentil sloppy joes. She's also happy to eat a pile of chickpeas or beans straight. </p> <p>We do a lot of quesadillas, pasta with beans, almond butter on apple slices, rice and beans, falafel, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2800016 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 14:40:16 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2800016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can grind quinoa and mix it in with oat flour or regular flour for pancakes+ coconut milk. </p> <p>I have made quinoa casseroles which my toddler loved. The most popular flavour was veggie pasta sauce and cheese (but that can be omitted). Makes the quinoa sticky and easy to scoop with a spoon for self-feeding. Or with hands (my daycare toddler exclusively used hands for a few months and I made this weekly. Freezes well too)</p> <p>My 2 year old loves cashews. She thinks they’re a candy basically. At that age I would sort of crumble them a bit before I gave them to her. I make a cashew/nutritional yeast “Parmesan” in the blender and she eats that on top of a lot of stuff and loves it. </p> <p>Her oatmeal gets hemp hearts added to it and I did ground almond as well when she was younger. </p> <p>For processed stuff she loves the crispy snap pea “chips”, baked beans from a can solo or mixed with white/brown rice or pasta. She also likes the fake ham slices and veggie hotdogs. I don't limit soy intake, but she probably has those or tofu 1-2 times per week. </p> <p>Cottage cheese has a lot or protein and theirs a great cottage cheese pancake recipe online which she and I enjoy a lot. You can also make egg and banana flour-free pancakes to maximize protein intake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799988 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 14:02:48 +0000 thunderstorm 2799988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bambas! They’re packaged snacks made in Israel. Only ingredients are peanuts, oil and salt. Super easy for babies/toddlers to eat.<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=bambas" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=bambas</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799967 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 13:04:14 +0000 psw27 2799967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennlin821: chiming in to say that my 9 month old eats oatmeal with his hands. It's messy but he loves it and refuses to allow me to spoon feed him. He has also eaten rice with his fingers. We've given him black beans, no issues! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799960 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:44:45 +0000 MaryM 2799960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For oatmeal that can be picked up...</p> <p><a href="https://www.healthy-delicious.com/nut-butter-and-jelly-baked-oatmeal-cups/" rel="nofollow">https://www.healthy-delicious.com/nut-butter-and-jelly-baked-oatmeal-cups/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799959 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:34:56 +0000 jennlin821 2799959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is great, everyone has so many ideas!!</p> <p>@bebe211: great ideas! She loves oatmeal, but won't eat it now that she's refusing spoons. </p> <p>@MaryM: quesadillas! and I could make a few and freeze them for lazy days. Thanks!</p> <p>@misolee: this is perfect! I could even mix some quinoa in there. I'll have to get some sticky rice this weekend, and test out the rice function on my instant pot!</p> <p>@SweetiePie: thank for you the links, all of your suggestions would work for us :) </p> <p>@erinbaderin: This recipe is great, definitely going to try it!</p> <p>@nana87: Good point, DD loves scrambled eggs, but won't touch hard-boiled eggs yet. I'm sure we'll get there, so thanks for reassuring me that eggs are healthy and ok to have several times!</p> <p>@codeitall: DD drink's ripple! Its great, very mild tasting. And much more nutritionally rounded than most alternative milks. I still drink soy milk, but that cuz I only put it in my coffee. I'm trying to convert the whole house to Ripple!</p> <p>@anagram I didn't even know that you could by a little mill like that! Its equally parts thrilling and terrifying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799956 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:24:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2799956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There may be some that misses her mouth, but I bet she would do well eating quinoa with her hands.</p> <p>LO likes black eyed peas. I haven’t noticed increased gas from him. He passes gas all the time with or without beans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799953 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:14:47 +0000 codeitall 2799953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just read an interesting article on NPR about Ripple. We're going to try it out the next time I go to the store! Since we are dairy-free, I make a lot of bread-items with alternative milk/butter. Then I spread peanut butter all over it :)</p> <p><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/01/19/578880390/a-peas-offering-for-the-dairy-aisle-can-this-milk-alternative-rival-the-real-dea" rel="nofollow">https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/01/19/578880390/a-peas-offering-for-the-dairy-aisle-can-this-milk-alternative-rival-the-real-dea</a></p> <p>And sometimes when my toddler is being extra picky, I make these cookies with whole oats: <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-oatmeal-cookies" rel="nofollow">https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-oatmeal-cookies</a>. You could probably swap out the sugar if you wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799948 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:04:26 +0000 nana87 2799948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm vegetarian, and my 11 mo and almost-4yo eat a lot of white beans and tofu--no problems with gas that I've noticed. I just tend to prefer white beans, but we also have other kinds too. we do eat dairy so they have lots of yogurt and cheese too. Also, hard boiled eggs are a big hit; the yolk seems too chalky for lo2 to eat but the whites are straight protein w/o the cholesterol, so if your has eggs for breakfast, whites later wouldn't hurt </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799947 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:58:15 +0000 peaches1038 2799947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Re: spoon feeding - when DS was younger, I would load the spoon for him and put it back on the table. he would pick it up and bring it to his mouth on his own. It’s messy but now at 26 months, he’s awesome with silverware. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799943 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:50:34 +0000 sillymilly 2799943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I give my 12 month old chick peas, black beans, and lentils and she's luckily had no problem with gas. I've made black bean cakes and falafel using the recipes from this cookbook </p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943451524/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kT1AAbC8XASAGI" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943451524/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kT1AAbC8XASAGI</a> </p> <p>I prep in advance, freeze, and they reheat well. </p> <p>My DD refuses to let me feed her from a spoon anymore, so I'm still trying to figure out how to cook lentils in a way that she can eat now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799939 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:41:39 +0000 erinbaderin 2799939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, also, if you want a break from just eggs try the two ingredient banana pancakes - my son would gobble them up: <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-2-ingredient-banana-pancakes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-218658" rel="nofollow">https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-2-ingredient-banana-pancakes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-218658</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799924 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:19:48 +0000 Anagram 2799924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and my sister and cousin are super into milling their own wheat and millet and corn, so at Christmas, my kids had a blast milling their own grains and as a family we made a ton of homemade breads---we made whole wheat biscuits, cornbread and even whole wheat apple cider donuts that were soooo good. And my kids loved the wheat-donuts process. </p> [attach=2976/18/p368gz.600x450.IMG_3097.JPG] [attach=2976/18/p368h0.600x450.IMG_3483.JPG] [attach=2976/18/p368h1.450x600.IMG_3487.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799921 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:15:57 +0000 Anagram 2799921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We aren't vegan, but we are mostly dairy free, so these are some things my kids like. Even with BLW, you can help your kids eat runny foods with a spoon. I mean, if it's a spoonable food, just spoon feed them.</p> <p>My kids like lentils--like Dahl style. Not spicey, but spiced.</p> <p>They also like lentils mixed with green beans. They like to snack on baked chickpeas, and they love dipping things in hummus. But we do dip some "processed" things, like the baked peas from Trader Joe, or Plantain chips, but also sometimes carrot stick. My kids love rice and beans, and rice and beans together. They only drink milk alternatives, so we buy almond milk/coconut milk for drinking/cooking/baking.</p> <p>Both of my kids like the Trader Joe quinoa with squash frozen side and it's dairy free so I assume it's vegan. Oatmeal balls, as PPs mentioned.</p> <p>My kids LOVE paleo pumpkin pancakes with real maple syrup--I make those with almond flour and almond milk and they are so good! There are a lot of recipes online. The only like them if I make them tiny mini size pancakes. Otherwise, it's too spongy. </p> <p>They also really like "taco soup", although I make their's very mild and you can easily do it meatless or with that meat substitute that looks like crumbled hamburger. It's just frozen corn, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, tomato paste, and then if you are doing all--natural, you'd have to make homemade taco seasoning and homemade paleo (dairy free) "ranch" seasoning, and have that on hand. We eat this 1x a week in winter and the kids looove it.</p> <p>And then of course, my kids love a lot of vegetables and fruits.</p> <p>We do eat chicken/seafood/cheese in our house (well, I don't eat cheese, but the kids eat cheese), so most of our meals </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799917 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:03:31 +0000 erinbaderin 2799917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hummus and breadsticks - little kids love to dip things. And these lentil and cheese wedges have been a big hit with all my kids (and actually me, they're DELICIOUS): <a href="http://www.babyledweaning.com/blw-recipes/alisons-lentil-and-cheese-wedges/" rel="nofollow">http://www.babyledweaning.com/blw-recipes/alisons-lentil-and-cheese-wedges/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799914 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:59:29 +0000 SweetiePie 2799914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-baked-tofu-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-74358" rel="nofollow">https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-baked-tofu-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-74358</a></p> <p>First recipe is for quinoa broccoli bites.<br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/12/our-favorite-recipes-baby-led-weaning/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/12/our-favorite-recipes-baby-led-weaning/</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.google.com/amp/amp.foodandwine.com/recipes/oven-roasted-old-bay-chickpeas" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/amp/amp.foodandwine.com/recipes/oven-roasted-old-bay-chickpeas</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799910 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:54:37 +0000 SweetiePie 2799910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not plant based at all but here are some things my infant/toddler loved that are compatible:</p> <p>Quinoa broccoli bites - basically quinoa and chopped broccoli stuck together with egg and seasoned with onion powder or whatever spice you like. We also put shredded cheddar in it but I know that might not work for you. I got recipe from here. I’ll post. </p> <p>Chick peas. Just rinse and for younger or pickier LOs you can squeeze the skins off. My son eats them like they’re blueberries or something. Just pops them! Can also roast them to make them crunchy snack. I’ve seaaoned with Old Bay and it’s very yummy. I’ll find recipe. </p> <p>Edamame. Shelled and steamed for little ones. Now at 3 my son likes the pods. Just sprinkle with a little sea salt. Can also buy them crunchy as a snack. </p> <p>Extra firm Tofu marinated, cut into small cubes and roasted. soooooo good. Becomes slightly chewy on outside and so flavorful. I’ll find recipe. </p> <p>Also they make pastas made with chick peas or quinoa so they are higher protein. And taste identical to regular pasta. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799901 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:46:06 +0000 Mrsbells 2799901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tofu &amp; beans are the two proteins that come to mind. Not all beans cause gas. Garbanzo beans are a good one to start with </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799899 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:45:39 +0000 misolee 2799899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can take sticky rice and roll it into a ball for the little ones. We’re Asian and that’s how Asian moms get them to eat it without getting everywhere. If you want to get extra creative we crumble the seaweed crumblings in it and roll into a little ball. You can put veggies and pretty much anything into it. </p> <p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I9NxPj9QSS0" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I9NxPj9QSS0</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799898 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:44:57 +0000 MaryM 2799898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>how about quesadillas? They could have beans and other veggies in them (sweet potato and black beans are good!) </p> <p>Avocados</p> <p>Nut butter or hummus on a tortilla with spinach </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plant-based-toddler-food#post-2799891 Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:37:04 +0000 bebe211 2799891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>baked oatmeal? </p>