Toddlers can be the pickiest eaters at times. A lot of parents get worried once they begin not to like certain foods anymore. I can tell you from much experience, this is short lived. They will begin to eat more again. During that time where they do slow down a bit, finding specific things for them to eat is essential.
Word of advice, do not force your child to eat something they do not like. Around the age of three, vegetables are usually something they will not eat. One or two specific vegetables maybe, but nothing like they use to. Focus on the couple that they do still eat, and keep the others away until their appetites come back for them.
Below you will find a list of snacks or meals that most toddlers will eat.
1. Cottage Cheese and Crackers – You will be pleasantly surprised to know that many children under the age of five love cottage cheese.
2. Steamed Broccoli and Cheese – Even though this is a green vegetable, once the cheese is on top of the broccoli, children consider it more cheese then anything.
3. Steamed Cauliflower – You can actually get away with just the cauliflower on this snack. Steam it until it is soft, and serve away.
4. Croutons – Yes, I said croutons. Kids love crunchy things to eat, and croutons are one of those great snack you should always have. You can put some sour cream or even blue cheese dressing on their plate so they can dip the croutons as well.
5. Salads – I know, why would they eat a salad your thinking. It is all in the way you make it. Cut up the lettuce in very small pieces, sprinkle with shredded cheese, peeled cucumber slices, black olives, and we cannot leave out the croutons. Dress with a white salad dressing (blue cheese, creamy ranch, creamy cucumber). Most toddlers will not eat a vinegar based salad dressing, and watch how much they eat.
6. Pickles, Pickles, and more Pickles – Sliced, halved or whole, toddlers love pickles, and there is nothing wrong with giving them one as a snack. They are fat free and inexpensive as well.
7. Raw Vegetables and Blue Cheese Dressing – Sliced up carrots, celery, cucumbers with a side of blue cheese dressing will allow your child to get something healthy to eat.
8. Sliced Fruits – Sliced apples, oranges,strawberries, grapes, pineapple, mango, watermelon and peaches. If you cannot get them to eat, this specific snack they will eat. Give them two pieces of each fruit and see which one they like the best. That way next time you will know what not to give and what to give more of.
9. Graham Crackers and Cream Cheese – Spread some cream cheese on a graham cracker and you have an instant snack for your little one. To make it even more tasty, add some jam of your choice.
10. Bologna, Cheese and Crackers – Cut the bologna and cheese into shapes, this gives the toddler a complete different idea of what they are going to eat. Place some crackers on the plate, and let them eat.
This is just ten of the things you can try out to get your toddler to eat something. There are many more where this came from, however these specific suggestions are the ones they tend to really lean towards.
Again, try not to force your child to eat, they will eat when they are hungry. I can guarantee that.
