Toddler Recipes for Picky Eaters
I can't believe Kevin is a toddler. I've used that word more in the past month than I'd like..anyway....
My baby turned one a few weeks ago and all of a sudden, my "he eats anything and everything" baby has turned into a bit of a picky eater. I was still giving him baby food a few times a week...the stage 3 stuff...to make sure he was still eating 'enough'... I can't lie - it was also nice on those nights to not have to worry about what to feed him. But now, he refuses baby food. Great. He's a big boy and wants to be able to pick up and eat his own food. I knew this was coming when he started to spit out the baby food and pick up the chunks and feed it to himself.
He likes scrambled eggs and pancakes for breakfast...turkey dogs, grilled cheese and more recently, peanut butter on whole wheat for lunch...and any kind of beans, peas, and he looooooves fruit. All kinds. Pineapple is his favorite...just like his dad. He's also a fan of black olives...which I think taste like soap...but to each his own, right?...
We've done great with these finger foods so far, but they've all been in addition to formula and baby food, which were both giving him his vitamins and nutrients. Now I need to find recipes that dont have 50 ingredients and take an hour to make (achem...Weelicious...) Weelicious is a great website for a once or twice a week recipe...but everything is from scratch and who has time for that? I cant take my eyes off of him for 2 seconds...its hard enough to make him scrambled eggs without burning something...(this may or may not be a combination of my less than stellar cooking skills and being distracted trying to keep him from jumping off of the couch) let alone an hour to prepare and make one of their recipes...
If he's really worked up an appetite, he'll eat chicken or meat...but not much...I always give him vegetables, beans and/or fruit with dinner...but he seems to eat a tiny bit of whatever I make for him so I end up giving him a ton of fruit to make sure he's eating enough...which he eats all of...
Does anyone have a good website with toddler recipes for meal ideas? or do you have recommendations of your own?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Miko Y on -
nicole- my MIL gave me this cookbook from Williams Sonoma that might have some ideas for you. To be honest I have not had the time to look through it! ha. But I saw that the recipes were divided up by age, which I thought was pretty cool. You're more than welcome to borrow it. It didn't seem like it took 100 ingredients either for these. You are not alone = I have a SUPER picky toddler. I throw (hide) things in soups and casseroles and stews just to make sure she gets enough fiber and vegetables!
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Permalink Reply by Carrie Glover on -
Crockpot recipes! Those are the best- I know you posted something on facebook for them and I have a ton so let me know and I will send them to you! London was the same way- ate everything then he became a toddler and day by day his taste buds have changed. Some days he likes chicken some days he doesn't- lol but you roll with the punches right! London loves soups so that is always a good go to in my book- I'll send you some of my fav and his recipes :)
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Permalink Reply by Tatiana on -
Hi Nicole! Try this one http://www.simplebites.net/one-pot-wonders-for-babies-toddlers/ I've cooked a bunch of stuff from here, the Super Mac and Cheese is awesome, and so are the muffins, meatballs... although, it is all from scratch... but not that complicated and the good thing is that it makes a TON of food so I've basically cooked for like a whole day (in between the usual day chasing after a toddler) and froze stuff that I end up using all week long.
I also had some baby food leftover so what I've done with that sometimes is just put it in something else, like make a quesadilla and smear it inside then cut it up... or add it to turkey meatballs (which I make with chopped veggies anyway, so they get veggies in the meatball) to make them more moist. Rice and beans is a good one... veggie, tofu or turkey patties is another good option, something you can smear veggie purees on to make them moist, or use organic ketchup or tomato sauce, which Logan happens to LOVE.
I was pretty "stuck" when he first started eating "real food" too, as I have NEVER been a cook. No other man has EVER had me in the kitchen this often before! LOL!!!
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Read on -
My son is only 3 weeks away from turning 1 and he's also much more interested in eating 'real' food now than boring baby food. Unfortunately, a lot of our adult dinners until now have been the heat and serve type from Trader Joe's so now I'm feeling the pressure to find the time (I work FT) and energy to learn how to cook healthy meals (my general rule is 5 ingredients or less!). I'm relieved others sound like they are in the same boat! Carrie - could I please get those crockpot recipes as well? Thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Nicole G. on -
Rachel I can't believe he's going to be one! I remember when we met he was only 2 months old! I stay at home with Kevin, but I'm no Paula Deen...I actually would really enjoy cooking if I didnt have to clean up. I'm a HUGE fan of the heat and serve meals... Trader Joe's, Von's chicken or turkey meat loaf...Country Crock mashed potatoes... Anything pre-made is what I 'make'....Now that Kevin is eating, I want him to really be able to eat whatever we're eating for dinner...but who has time to make healthy dinners from scratch? My poor husband is lucky to get a real meal once a week. (by 'real meal' I mean pasta or lasagna) The thing is, that now that Kevin is completely mobile, its impossible to spend any time in the kitchen preparing anything. It's like a double edged sword. This mom thing is really tough.
Rachel Read said:My son is only 3 weeks away from turning 1 and he's also much more interested in eating 'real' food now than boring baby food. Unfortunately, a lot of our adult dinners until now have been the heat and serve type from Trader Joe's so now I'm feeling the pressure to find the time (I work FT) and energy to learn how to cook healthy meals (my general rule is 5 ingredients or less!). I'm relieved others sound like they are in the same boat! Carrie - could I please get those crockpot recipes as well? Thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Read on
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I know - it's really crazy how fast the time has flown by this first year! :)
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Permalink Reply by melinda on -
ok tatiana, thank you for that great website, i made the mac n cheese and it has a bit of pumpkn added in, wow sooooo yummy, everyone loved it especially lorenzo!
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Mills on -
Tatiana, you are hilarious...I feel the same way! And I love that you made it work to use the extra baby food. Looking forward to trying some of those recipes too.
I never cooked before having kids...definitely regret that now. With a picky preschooler and a finger food eater, I rarely ever take them out to eat. I typically feel like I'm in the kitchen all day long!
Tatiana said:
I was pretty "stuck" when he first started eating "real food" too, as I have NEVER been a cook. No other man has EVER had me in the kitchen this often before! LOL!!!
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