Easy and Fast Toddler Meal Ideas for Busy Stay-at-Home Moms - Let's Share!

[Carissidy]

I was reading kaceyleigh's thread and it sparked a question in my mind... we are both clearly at home moms and are looking for some simple quick meal suggestions and thought I would pick your brains... Any Ideas???

 

[JaimeQ]

That is a really good questions... I tend to feed my child the same things all the time

 

[Carissidy]

me too and by posting this I am hoping to get many different ideas, even it means freezing somethings

 

[JaimeQ]

I hear ya...

 

[ginamkiely]

that's a good idea i wouldn't mind something new for danny (my son) he LIVES by PB&J and I hate it!!

 

[JaimeQ]

My DD loves Chicken nuggets!! She eats cheese all the time too We just got her to start eating meats other than chicken nuggets...

 

[kaceyleigh2]

Here Toddler Friendly meals and recipes...
Healthy Toddler Recipes, Recipes for Feeding Toddler- Toddler Menus, Toddler Foods, Toddler Lunch, Toddler Breakfast Ideas at wholesometoddlerfood.com I have tried some of the recipes and have frozen some ahead too...
Still curious about the grilled cheese...he'd love that!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

My 3 yr old loves veggies, fruit, breads, cheeses, and yogurts. His meals may be unconventional sometimes, but they are pretty healthy. He doesn't like most meat, except fish - he loves fish! - so we don't push him to eat it.....he gets lots of protein from other sources, and he is beginning to eat a little chicken sometimes (he loves the whole-grain chicken bites in the new cookbook)

Often for breakfast he will have a Yogurt and Fruit smoothie, with a slice of toast, or some dry cereal. Another favorite is a whole grain toaster waffle w/ blueberry syrup ( 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 2 tbls real maple syrup microwaved in a prep bowl until the berries "pop" and make juice) and a glass of milk. He also loves a banana with peanut butter toast and a glass of OJ or milk.

Lunch - sometimes a cheese stick, grapes and whole grain crackers, or a PBJ and fruit.......apple slices with peanut butter, and muffin or crackers. He also loves dips like Hummus and Guacamole with crackers and veggies (he likes carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and broccoli). He LOVES a cheese sandwich (grilled or not) with tomato soup. Cheese and refried bean tacos are another favorite. Any kind of noodles w/ pasta sauce! Mac & cheese with veggies and dip.

He is a good eater - I actually have fun feeding him and he is pretty willing to try new foods.....as long as it is one food at a time! He won't eat casseroles - doesn't like his food touching each other!

 

[kaceyleigh2]

Oh yeah and the Pampered Chef Let's Eat Cookbook has some cute ideas! I just got it and can't wait to try some things

 

[kaceyleigh2]

My 3 yr old loves veggies, fruit, breads, cheeses, and yogurts. His meals may be unconventional sometimes, but they are pretty healthy. He doesn't like most meat, except fish - he loves fish! - so we don't push him to eat it.....he gets lots of protein from other sources, and he is beginning to eat a little chicken sometimes (he loves the whole-grain chicken bites in the new cookbook)

Often for breakfast he will have a Yogurt and Fruit smoothie, with a slice of toast, or some dry cereal. Another favorite is a whole grain toaster waffle w/ blueberry syrup ( 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 2 tbls real maple syrup microwaved in a prep bowl until the berries "pop" and make juice) and a glass of milk. He also loves a banana with peanut butter toast and a glass of OJ or milk.

Lunch - sometimes a cheese stick, grapes and whole grain crackers, or a PBJ and fruit.......apple slices with peanut butter, and muffin or crackers. He also loves dips like Hummus and Guacamole with crackers and veggies (he likes carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and broccoli). He LOVES a cheese sandwich (grilled or not) with tomato soup. Cheese and refried bean tacos are another favorite. Any kind of noodles w/ pasta sauce! Mac & cheese with veggies and dip.

He is a good eater - I actually have fun feeding him and he is pretty willing to try new foods.....as long as it is one food at a time! He won't eat casseroles - doesn't like his food touching each other!

I will definately try the blueberry syrup, my son would love that!

 

[Carissidy]

I have some ideas but yes like Gina I feel like I am feeding them the same food every day. Good ideas Becky! All ideas are definitely welcomed!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Oh- for the Smoothies, I think he loves them because when I was pregnant, I had one almost every morning for breakfast. For some reason it was the only think that would stay down. I use my immersion blender and the cup that came with it, and throw in 1/2 frozen banana, a handful of berries, peaches, or other fruit, a 1/2 cup of yogurt, a tbls. of ground flax seed, and a 1/2 cup of milk or juice. Blend together and drink!
Another favorite smoothie is a PB and banana smoothie. 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/2 cup milk, 1 frozen banana, and 1 Tbl. peanut or almond butter, 1 tbls ground flax seed. Blend together and drink!

 

[Carissidy]

Wow Becky thanks for the ideas! I will try them for sure... my children are so fussy and texture sensitive, I am willing to try anything! Does anyone have any other ideas? I know there a lot of you out there that have little ones hehe...

 

[KellyTheChef]

I am now officially jealous of Becky's three year old! He eats better than my whole family! (and I mean by that...he will TRY more things than my family!!) My DH and SDS are very "plain"eaters and don't like many fruits or veggies. I, on the other hand, love all sorts of food and like to try new things all of the time!

My 2.5 yr. eats: homemade french toast, yogurt, sometimes cheese (he used to eat it all of the time, now is kindof hit or miss with it) apple slices, pear slices (not out of a can...doesn't like slippery type foods like canned peaches,etc.) parmesean noodles, corn, green beans, brocolli, um, hard to think!!

Oh! I made the Banana crunch muffins that were posted on here a week ago and he LOVED them! I made them in the MMP. (Half of the recipe = 48 muffins)

It's amazing how some days they eat and eat...and other days it seems like they don't eat anything!

He does drink quite a bit of milk...which I have started adding some water to it. Otherwise, he would fill up on milk! Oh, and in the mornings or at other meal times, I will tell him "This is your last cup of milk till you eat _____" So, right now, he is asking for milk, but he is NOT getting any till he finishes his breakfast.

Sorry, I feel like I am rambling...toddlers are a challenge sometimes, huh?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

It's amazing how some days they eat and eat...and other days it seems like they don't eat anything!



Sorry, I feel like I am rambling...toddlers are a challenge sometimes, huh?

Isn't that the truth! DH will come home from work and ask if the day was an eating day or a non-eating day. I've realized I have to look at his weekly food intake instead of daily!

 

[tabnat80]

That's reasurring to know that someone else's toddler has those days. I am a 1st time mom. My little boy is 16 months old. I swear somedays it feels like he doesn't eat anything but goldfish and milk. He's extremely picky. He is only 20 lbs, but has always been very petite. He's had acid reflux every since birth so he sees a specialist for it. The Dr. doesn't seem concerned about his low weight, but it worries me to death. You can't make them eat if they don't want to. I've found that out for sure. Anyways, thanks for the input. Maybe today will be an "eating day" lol.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

That's reasurring to know that someone else's toddler has those days. I am a 1st time mom. My little boy is 16 months old. I swear somedays it feels like he doesn't eat anything but goldfish and milk. He's extremely picky. He is only 20 lbs, but has always been very petite. He's had acid reflux every since birth so he sees a specialist for it. The Dr. doesn't seem concerned about his low weight, but it worries me to death. You can't make them eat if they don't want to. I've found that out for sure. Anyways, thanks for the input. Maybe today will be an "eating day" lol.

Yep! Yesterday was an eating day for us! He ate very well all day long - and had a "snack" of Spinach&Cheese Ravioli w/ pasta sauce (His very favorite food!) just before bed last night.

today - Nada, Nothin', Zippo! He has had 3 sips of a peach smoothie, and it's almost time for lunch!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

When mine were little they loved egg or chicken salad

 

[heather9892]

My 3 yr old loves veggies, fruit, breads, cheeses, and yogurts. His meals may be unconventional sometimes, but they are pretty healthy. He doesn't like most meat, except fish - he loves fish! - so we don't push him to eat it.....he gets lots of protein from other sources, and he is beginning to eat a little chicken sometimes (he loves the whole-grain chicken bites in the new cookbook)

Often for breakfast he will have a Yogurt and Fruit smoothie, with a slice of toast, or some dry cereal. Another favorite is a whole grain toaster waffle w/ blueberry syrup ( 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 2 tbls real maple syrup microwaved in a prep bowl until the berries "pop" and make juice) and a glass of milk. He also loves a banana with peanut butter toast and a glass of OJ or milk.

Lunch - sometimes a cheese stick, grapes and whole grain crackers, or a PBJ and fruit.......apple slices with peanut butter, and muffin or crackers. He also loves dips like Hummus and Guacamole with crackers and veggies (he likes carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and broccoli). He LOVES a cheese sandwich (grilled or not) with tomato soup. Cheese and refried bean tacos are another favorite. Any kind of noodles w/ pasta sauce! Mac & cheese with veggies and dip.

He is a good eater - I actually have fun feeding him and he is pretty willing to try new foods.....as long as it is one food at a time! He won't eat casseroles - doesn't like his food touching each other!

man i wish my son ate like that :cry:

 

[chefann]

One of my nieces is like that, too. My sister's pretty good about making sure she gets enough to eat over the course of several days, but some days her little tummy has got to be empty! And luckily, she likes healthy stuff, so when she does eat it's things like fruit, cheese, whole grains, milk, etc. and not junk.

 

[heather9892]

That's reasurring to know that someone else's toddler has those days. I am a 1st time mom. My little boy is 16 months old. I swear somedays it feels like he doesn't eat anything but goldfish and milk. He's extremely picky. He is only 20 lbs, but has always been very petite. He's had acid reflux every since birth so he sees a specialist for it. The Dr. doesn't seem concerned about his low weight, but it worries me to death. You can't make them eat if they don't want to. I've found that out for sure. Anyways, thanks for the input. Maybe today will be an "eating day" lol.

been there done that

or mcdonalds french fries:grumpy:

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'm not trying to be snotty or anything.....but my sons eating habits come from a determination on our part that he grow up to be a healthy eater. He eats the way he does because he doesn't have any other options. Snacky type foods (like chips etc...) and processed foods are not offered to him as food choices. We have also had good luck by doing "try bites" When we are eating a food that is new to him or one that he has rejected in the past, we tell him he just has to take 1 "try-bite" and if he doesn't want anymore, he doesn't have to eat it. Sometimes, he just takes that one bite, but sometimes he discovers a new favorite food! I also try to let him help me as much as possible when I am cooking. He loves to "stir".....and I'll give him a small piece of veggie or whatever I am working on, and let him go at it with his safe-cutter. I measure things out, and let him pour them in, and he is even learning how to crack an egg! Oh - and we have a garden, and this year let him help choose what we planted. He has had so much fun helping to pick, wash, and eat the veggies!

 

[chefann]

been there done that

or mcdonalds french fries:grumpy:

There's a way to avoid that - no McDonald's allowed. 2 of my nieces are 5 and 2, and I don't think they've ever had McD's. When they do get fast food, it's made clear that it's a treat and sis only gets them meals from Wendy's, because she can get them the turkey and cheese sandwiches with oranges and milk instead of fries and pop.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

There's a way to avoid that - no McDonald's allowed. 2 of my nieces are 5 and 2, and I don't think they've ever had McD's. When they do get fast food, it's made clear that it's a treat and sis only gets them meals from Wendy's, because she can get them the turkey and cheese sandwiches with oranges and milk instead of fries and pop.

That's our rule! He has had McD's w/ Grandpa & Grandma.....and imagine their amazement when he wanted Apple Dippers instead of french fries! He doesn't even like french fries!
We do Wendys, Arbys, or Fazolis for fast food. All have great, healthier choices for kids. Micah's favorite is Arby's.

 

[ahammons]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! lol My 3yr old used to eat anything when he was younger, but when 18 months rolled around, it was over. Now I have to pretty much bribe him to eat on some days. Luckily he will eat some healthy foods - he actually likes whole wheat bread better than white! Right after DH left, he started eating even less! He's pretty tall for his age, so it makes him seem skinnier than he really is. The problem I'm having right now is that his "skinniness" worries my MIL (we're staying with her while DH is away), and she thinks that if he's willing to eat something, then we should just let him eat it - no matter what it is. I'd rather him not eat anything at all over junk food!
At least my 18mo old will still eat anything! lol Trust me, that kid doesn't miss a meal (or snack)!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I have a friend whose daughter was "expelled" from mothers day out because all she would eat were cheetos and goldfish the other kids started to become picky eaters that sat around her. Even the parents were complaining to the directors. My friend understood but the little girl comes by it naturally... mom mainly eats white bread with ketchup and McDonalds chicken nuggets
seriuosly that is the extent of her food and she wonders why she is always sick. she buys nuggets and freezes them to have when she can't be at McDonalds.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! lol My 3yr old used to eat anything when he was younger, but when 18 months rolled around, it was over. Now I have to pretty much bribe him to eat on some days. Luckily he will eat some healthy foods - he actually likes whole wheat bread better than white! Right after DH left, he started eating even less! He's pretty tall for his age, so it makes him seem skinnier than he really is. The problem I'm having right now is that his "skinniness" worries my MIL (we're staying with her while DH is away), and she thinks that if he's willing to eat something, then we should just let him eat it - no matter what it is. I'd rather him not eat anything at all over junk food! At least my 18mo old will still eat anything! lol Trust me, that kid doesn't miss a meal (or snack)!

Ugh! If they get hungry enough...they will eat what you are offering! It has got to be hard...living with MIL and her insisting on this. Perhaps she can come along on his next checkup with the doctor. Maybe if the doctor explains why this is a BAD THEORY she will back off and follow your lead?

 

[ahammons]

Yeah, it's a little frustrating. But at least that's the only problem I have with her! lol I know that some people don't get along too well with their MIL's, but I love mine to death. She just worries too much sometimes. That's a good idea - I'm sure she already knows it's bad for him to eat that stuff. She just hates to see him not eating. But you're absolutely right, he'll eat when he's hungry enough. He's usually a little cranky in the mornings (just like DH! lol ) , so I just tell him to let me know when he's ready to eat breakfast (if I keep pushing him to eat, it just makes things worse). This usually works... even if he isn't ready to eat for ½ an hour.

 

[chefann]

Sometimes, just presenting the food in a fun way helps. My nieces love their french toast or waffles cut into strips, so they can pick them up and dunk them into syrup, but they won't touch them if they're cut into squares. (And when I was little, we weren't allowed to be that picky. The rule was, "If it's on your plate, you have to eat it.")

 

[chefheidi2003]

(And when I was little, we weren't allowed to be that picky. The rule was, "If it's on your plate, you have to eat it.")

That is how it was at my house. I don't have any kids yet. We actually just had this conversation. My Pastor and his wife allow there kids to be picky so at dinner time she is a short order cook for the girls. When we were younger we at least had to try anything and to be honest with you the only time that she made anything different was when we had liver she would make hotdogs for me and my brother.