7 Healthy but Delicious Meals for Picky Toddlers
Feeding a toddler can be a power struggle. Many young children are picky eaters because they want to exercise their autonomy. They might also be neophobic and refuse to touch unfamiliar foods on their plates.
Convincing your toddler to be gastronomically adventurous at the dinner table — or high chair — can be challenging. However, you can be more persuasive with these seven healthy, delicious meals for kids.
Mac and Cheese With Salmon Flakes
Many toddlers find mac and cheese irresistible probably because of its salty flavor profile. Use its appeal as a gateway to salmon enjoyment.
Swapping bacon, ham or ground beef for this seafood exposes your little one to a new nutritious protein source. Salmon has abundant omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and magnesium that can boost your toddler’s cognitive development, improve their heart, bone and eye health, and promote a good night’s sleep.
The beauty of this fish is that it is painless to flake. Its bits blend well with the cheese and lend more texture to the dish.
Slow-Cooked Chicken With Vegetable Stew
Skinless, boneless chicken stewed in a slow cooker yields tender, juicy meat, which your kid should find easy to chow down on. Head to a farmers market for fresh produce that complements this savory dish. You can’t go wrong with carrots, potatoes, butternut squash, yams, turnips, tomatoes and mushrooms — get whatever’s in season.
Regarding the flavor profile, decide on the theme to blend herbs and spices properly. Thai, Chinese, Indian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean are excellent international options. If you want something more close to home, Cajun is a terrific choice.
Chicken Nuggets With Mashed Potato
Ditching French fries in favor of mashed potatoes instantly makes chicken nuggets tastier, healthier and more interesting. This combination can help your young one get used to creamy textures and practice their dexterity with a spoon.
Broccoli is a chef’s kiss if you want to add a splash of color to a bowl of mashed potatoes. Incorporating this superfood into this side is a neat trick to include in your child’s diet.
Kids consider this vegetable unappetizing because their saliva may produce smelly compounds when mixed with it. Delectable mashed potato can successfully disguise its unpalatable taste.
DIY Neapolitan Pizza
Homemade pizza is a wholesome snack. Unlike fast-food versions, it can be hearty because you’re in charge of the ingredients and preparation.
Copy the Italians and show your kid how to make a dough like a native Neapolitan. The secret ingredients are flour type 00, fresh yeast, extra virgin olive oil and plum tomato sauce. When it comes to the toppings, use the best mozzarella from your nearest specialty cheese shop and non-frozen veggies.
More importantly, involve your toddler in the process. An emotionally invested, finicky eater is more likely to try a snack they helped prepare.
Be mindful of raw flour, though, because it may contain pathogens. Handle dough making yourself, and let your child add the toppings later.
Lemony Spiral Zucchini
Zucchini is a must-eat for toddlers because it’s rich in vital nutrients, including dietary fiber that helps aid digestive function and improves bowel movements. Unfortunately, many toddlers find it boring. Serving zucchini in spiralized form lets it masquerade as pesto pasta, which is a tempting sight.
Lemon with zest makes a scrumptious base for the zucchini noodle sauce. The fruit’s sour tang can be an acquired taste, though. Introduce this flavor beforehand to familiarize your kid with it, so the dish doesn’t come as an unpleasant surprise.
Season the sauce with garlic, lemon pepper, fresh basil and salt. A generous amount of Parmesan cheese is the key to creamy goodness.
Crudites Dipped in Hummus
A plateful of raw vegetables isn’t a toddler’s idea of a toothsome snack. Pairing crudites with a freshly made hummus dip can change your little food critic’s mind.
Unlike other flavorful dips, hummus is a superfood in its own right. Chickpeas have loads of protein, desirable carbs, fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you add tahini and lemon juice to the mix, your dip will pack a greater nutritional punch.
Making hummus from scratch is easier than you think — your food processor does all the work for you. However, go easy on salt and olive oil because too much of the good stuff is bad. You should also control the portion because this dish is calorie-dense in every scoop.
Microwaved Sweet Potatoes With Omelet Waffles
Lengthwise sweet potatoes make a filling nutrient-packed finger food. They can even retain most of their nutritional value when you microwave them. Moisturize them with olive oil and season them with butter, salt and pepper.
Use egg waffles as the protein. Their fun shape makes them a keeper — and so does their sunny hue, which beautifully contrasts with the warm-toned sweet potato fries. Feel free to sneak in bits of vegetables and serve an omelet instead.
Be a Picky Cook to Serve Hearty Meals Your Fussy Eater Would Love
Many foodies used to be picky-eating toddlers, so don’t lose hope. Soldier on, and keep serving healthy, delicious food one meal at a time. With patience and perseverance, you’ll eventually see your child eat the rainbow and feel proud as a parent.
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