https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:40:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2639009 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:06:52 +0000 hummusgirl 2639009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Choking is no joke! My LO1 is 4 years old and has *just* started eating whole raw baby carrots, apples and tomatoes. And we still don't do popcorn. Maybe that's overkill but there's plenty else out there, and he's been eating this stuff sliced very thin (or quartered for tomatoes/grapes) for a couple years. </p> <p>I steam, roast or sautee veggies with olive oil or butter till they're very soft (carrots, green beans, broccoli). Salmon patties and cut-up meatballs are always a hit. Spaghetti with meat sauce. Cheese pizza. Pasta salad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638981 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:43:42 +0000 Banana330 2638981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>falafels and hummus.. anything with hummus really! meatballs, broccoli cheddar quinoa bites (frozen and defrosted), we do risotto and pasta pucks that we freeze and defrost for quick dinners. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638940 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:13:09 +0000 Anagram 2638940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not always successful, but I aim to give 3 fruits and 3 vegetables a day, and limit processed foods (limit, not eliminate)</p> <p>My 14 month old usually eats:</p> <p>breakfast: today she had oatmeal and raspberries. She ate about 20 raspberries. And we use steel cut oats.</p> <p>morning "snack": almond milk</p> <p>lunch: half a beef hamburger patty torn into bits, rice/peas/carrot mixture, and herbed baby new potatoes</p> <p>almond milk before nap</p> <p>afternoon snack: raisins, fruit, dried pea snacks, unsweetened fruit cups (like oranges), pouch, or Annie's Bunnies. I don't give stuff like the bunnies ever, but our nanny gives them and I'm not home so I let that slide as long as it doesn't become an every day thing.</p> <p>dinner: salmon, broccoli, the rest of the herbed potatoes</p> <p>almond milk before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638851 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 07:01:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2638851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about goldfish crackers? Shredded cheese or cottage cheese, cheese and lentil wedges, toast with cream cheese and avocado cut into fingers, hard boiled eggs, some kind of veggies that aren't so choke-able - red peppers, snow peas, cucumber slices cut into quarters. Baked oatmeal squares? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638837 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 03:43:07 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2638837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My latest meal successes for two toddlers are quinoa bakes: a "pizza" flavour one with carrots, beets, onion, spinach, corn, and cheese and a spinach/artichoke one. They were easy to make, keep well in the fridge, and both had small tap chunks for extra protein. It's the only thing they both have eaten so far and they are sticky enough to stick to a spoon for easier feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638799 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:35:43 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2638799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: that doesn't sound risky to me. :)</p> <p>I'm pretty laid back about most things. Choking makes me so anxious. I feel myself getting tense every meal. I should probably do something about it. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638795 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:16:12 +0000 Coffee-lover 2638795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For breakfast its usually scrambled eggs, or waffle with cottage cheese and either cut up bananna or strawberries on it. I also sometimes do pancakes with oeanit butter and jelly on them. </p> <p>Snacks are usually fruit and cheese or yogurt</p> <p>Lunch and dinner are usually cut up turkey meatballs or chicken with ketchup and pastas, bean and rice burritos, fish, or grilled cheese. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638793 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:05:53 +0000 lovehoneybee 2638793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cam: Scrambled eggs are in heavy rotation for both my kids!</p> <p>G also really likes lentils and roasted butternut squash sticks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638788 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 21:56:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 2638788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Others have way better ideas than me, but I wanted to add that I usually do carrots steamed/boiled to soft enough to squish, and sliced so there are no round pieces, for choking. I don't THINK that's a risk, if the a carrot is halved or quartered lengthwise and soft? </p> <p>I also do a ton of frozen vegetables these days. I like the steam fresh packets, either solo veggies or mixed, usually plain since the sauced ones have a lot of salt (at that age- now my picky 3 year old only eats the broccoli if its cheesy, artificially flavored broccoli :) ) Some of the mixes have carrots that are cut into coins though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638784 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 21:45:43 +0000 AB810 2638784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we do a lot of:</p> <p>breakfast: fruit, scrambled eggs or fried egg over hard, toast sticks with almond/peanut butter, muffins, oatmeal</p> <p>snacks: freeze dried fruit, frozen peas/blueberries, softer crackers, fig bars, lara bars, pouches, peeled and chopped apples (tossed with a little cinnamon and coconut oil and microwaved for about 30 seconds until they are soft), black beans or kidney beans, cereal</p> <p>Lunch/dinner: any and all meat, fish (especially canned like sardines and mackerel, so easy), steamed broccoli, steamed green beans, rice balls (warm rice smushed into balls so they are easier to pick up), pasta with sauce, bread, green smoothies (usually spinach, frozen mango and almond milk), soft cooked or roasted sweet potatoes, rutabaga, parsnips, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638686 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:09:10 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2638686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have deli turkey and cheese with a fruit and/or veggie pretty much every day. I like to make oat and fruit or pumpkin muffins for breakfast. I was making Greek yogurt and fruit popsicles for breakfast/snacks for a while and those were a total hit as well! We usually do a cracker and a fruit for snacks. Hard boiled eggs are good too. And when DD1 was your LO's age I would make her a quick black bean quesadilla for snack sometimes too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638679 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:37:18 +0000 caterw 2638679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to pre-make lots of little meatballs and mini muffins (zucchini was on the menu a lot since I could sneak in veggies) for DD at that age. She also loved plain yogurt and anything frozen- peas, blueberries, mini pancakes/ waffles! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638666 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:07:01 +0000 AnnabelleG 2638666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some regular snacks in our house are hummus with pita/carrots/cucumber/red pepper/Newmans organic pretzels/rice cakes<br /> plain yogurt with a little jam or maple syrup mixed in<br /> toast squares with peanut butter or cream cheese and jam<br /> Edamame (extra points for fine motor skills!)<br /> Granola with milk or yogurt<br /> Banana with peanut butter</p> <p>A really easy meal my son loves is chicken stock (I just use Better Than Boullion) with leftover rice or noodles in it, plus spinach and leftover rotisserie chicken (which we get a lot). We also do a lot of easy frittatas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638665 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:05:03 +0000 gingerbebe 2638665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Proteins we did omelets with veggies and cheese cut into little bite size squares, Aidell's organic meatballs cut into pieces, chicken sausage cut into pieces (without casing), cubed up meatloaf. (My son still hates meat that's not ground or processed in some way and doesn't eat cheese that's not melted into something). </p> <p>Veggies we did peas, peas and carrots, and corn to pinch up. He really liked soft cooked carrots so I'd simmer some baby carrots until soft and cut them into pieces. I kept frozen broccoli and spinach around to chop up and add to things like pasta and mac n' cheese.</p> <p>DS loves rice, soft cooked potato, and pasta. Doesn't really like bread or oatmeal. Will eat cereal, so we did a lot of Cheerios and mum mums. He will eat frozen mini pancakes - but only if they are literally frozen. I think he got into them when he was teething and they felt good. </p> <p>I'm really into all-in-one meals. Risotto with veggies and meat and cheese, spaghetti and meat sauce with grated zuchinni, mac n' cheese with ham and broccoli, fried rice with eggs and veggies. That way all I have to do is give him milk and some fruit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638652 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:32:51 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2638652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I think I need to start cooking an extra side of veggies on Sunday that I can reheat and serve for at lunch or for snacks during the week. </p> <p>@hellobeeboston: I bet she would love a muffin. Great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638641 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:21:31 +0000 hellobeeboston 2638641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: yeah he can't even bite into the carrots/jicama or peppers yet - but i think when they're cold and he gnaws on them they're good for teething! i give really large pieces... I also want him to get some of the flavor at least!</p> <p>yes - eggs are so easy! chop up onions/spinach/broccoli etc - so quick.</p> <p>OH - muffins are a big hit too. I've made zucchini &amp; pumpkin muffins and both of my kids love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638638 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:21:07 +0000 Mrsbells 2638638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: At that age DD loved raisin bread, olives, chopped up prunes, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese. You can offer veggies steamed and chopped up to minimize choking. I used to buy frozen mixed veg and steam it up with a bit of butter </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638636 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:17:46 +0000 cam 2638636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make him eggs pretty often, either just scrambled or an omelette. It's pretty quick to throw together. Eating everything on his plate sounds like a dream to me though haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638635 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:15:58 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2638635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: she has 6 teeth so she can bite things pretty well. That's why I worry about giving her a carrot. I just imagine her taking too big of a bite! Maybe I just need to do it. I could always cut it myself. She loves pouches and I love the convenience. She does have one as a snack quite a bit, especially on the go. I usually fry eggs over hard, but scrambled with veggies sounds great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638625 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:10:17 +0000 hellobeeboston 2638625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Sounds like you're doing great! Its so hard to come up with ideas though... My 12 month old still only has his bottom two teeth so I feel like even though he's great with his gums, I need more teeth! haha. Here's some examples of his meals:</p> <p>Breakfast is usually: toast with cream cheese, turkey sausage (cut into tiny bites) scrambled eggs mixed with veggies or herbs or cheese, fresh strawberries and raspberries or kiwi or an orange</p> <p>Lunch: Peanut butter on bread, leftovers (meatballs and pasta is a favorite), shredded turkey or chicken, cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, although, he won't allow us to spoon feed</p> <p>Snacks: White cheddar cheetos (Dissolve really well), puffs, bananas, and the other snacks we do are usually things you mentioned you don't want - Ritz crackers are a big one, jicama sticks/carrrots/peppers/cucumbers mainly just to gnaw on, TJ's Pirates Booty, and pouches! especially when we're on the go.</p> <p>Dinner: Meatballs/Meatloaf, pasta, mac &amp; cheese, broccoli, peas, beans, fish (he's only had salmon, cod, tilapia so far) chicken (especially rotisserie) he LOVES mushrooms, especially when I cook them marsala-style. Another favorite is a stir-fry with veggies and tofu - he's obsessed with the tofu and i cook it with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce &amp; sesame oil... Cauliflower "rice" that i make like fried rice.... Also he loves potatoes - mashed, roasted, french fries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-meal-ideas#post-2638618 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:00:08 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2638618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What does a day of meals look like for your toddler? DD is 12 months. I don't know if it's a growth spurt or the fact that she's nursing less, but she eats so much! I need to go grocery shopping and to Costco tomorrow, so I'm looking for ideas for things to feed her, especially for lunch and snacks. I'm trying to be sure she gets her 3 servings of dairy a day along with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein. It's kind of tough! She will eat anything I put in front of her. I prefer not to cook at lunch unless it's heating leftovers or making a grilled cheese. Here's what she's eaten the past couple days. She gets milk with meals and water with snacks. </p> <p>Breakfast- strawberry and banana Greek yogurt<br /> Lunch- deli turkey and cheese, a banana "cookie" for dessert<br /> Snack 1- mum mum<br /> Snack 2- whole banana<br /> Dinner- spaghetti squash, beans, shredded cheese, tomato sauce </p> <p>Breakfast -pineapple, part of a bagel and cream cheese<br /> Lunch- deli turkey, cheese, leftover mashed potatoes<br /> Snack 1- pineapple<br /> Snack 2- ?? TBD<br /> Dinner- we're having pork roast, corn, and broccoli tonight. She'll eat an entire ear of corn herself, a good amount of broccoli, and a little pork. </p> <p>I do have a good bit of anxiety about choking after an incident not involving food (worst moment of my life!). As a result I'm not ready to give her crackers, carrot sticks, or other raw veggies. </p> <p>Thanks for reading all of this! I'd love to know what your toddler is eating and how to be sure it's balanced nutritionally. </p>