Comments on: Simple As That: Toddler Meals (less is more)

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:41:30 +0000

So, how do you fix dinner/lunch for a 2 1/2 year old who has sensory issues. His meals consist of:

French Toast Sticks (Cinnamon or Plain)
Diced Cheddar Cheese
Handful of Raisins

I offer and offer one or two new things time and time again, but it gets refused or “sorted” We have resorted in substituting the “foods he does not eat” with smoothies, containing: Baby puree (fruit and veg), Greek nonfat yoghurt (protien), DHA/Omega 3 drops for toddlers (whole foods stores), Polivysol for Toddlers, and Kefir (probiotic drink). We throw in the occasional benifiber, just to be sure.

He will also eat:
Yoghurt (NO LUMPS or Fruit bits)
Milk (Any)
Whole Grain Goldfish (favorite)

I am sure it is a texture thing. If he sees lumps.. forget about it.. if it is squishy or messy, like mac n cheese, forget it…. I need substitutions for the french toast, he has been eating this since he started on solids… He used to like boiled egg cut up with whole grain toast, fed to him with a spoon.. but he won’t go near it now.

Need advise. Thanks! (Am I the only one going through this, is it just a phase? I have made an appt with an OT, but can only see her end of June)

By: Finger Foods: More Ideas for Toddler Meals — Simple Kids

Finger Foods: More Ideas for Toddler Meals — Simple Kids — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:45:48 +0000

[...] Realistic portions Remember that toddlers don’t need a full serving, nor do they even need a half-sized serving in most cases. They have little tummies that fill up [...]

By: Finger Food: 11 Ideas for Breakfast and Snacks — Simple Kids

Finger Food: 11 Ideas for Breakfast and Snacks — Simple Kids — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:12:53 +0000

[...] Last week’s post on toddler mealtimes elicited some great discussion in the comments. Several of you asked for ideas on finger foods for your toddlers. I decided to create a two-part series with some ideas that have worked well in our family, and I hope others will share their toddler favorites as well! [...]

By: Jaymi

Jaymi — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Oh, I need help too. My 13 month old, with only 4 teeth also, pretty much still only eats pureed food as his main meals. He’ll eat crackers, fruit cereal bars and LOVES yogurt as snacks. He is our first so we are very new to teaching someone how to eat. But we’ve been so frustrated because it seems that he is such a picky eater. Thank you for your post and all the comments. I’ll try some of them and hopefully our little boy will become more of an independent eater. I think I have to constantly remind myself to be patient and that it’s not going to come over night.

By: August 21st: SK Showcase and Weekend Links — Simple Kids

August 21st: SK Showcase and Weekend Links — Simple Kids — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:54:41 +0000

[...] post on Toddler Meals {less is more} elicited some great discussion and helpful advice in the comments. In fact, it has inspired me to [...]

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:09:48 +0000

I’m glad to see I share the anxieties of many other mothers when it comes to what their children eat! My daughter is 13 months. Some of her favorites are yogurt, cheese (!), baked beans, fruit, carrots, sweet potatoes, crackers, lunchmeat, etc. One area I struggle with is veggies, though. She only eats a couple different veggies. We don’t like that many veggies ourselves, so I’m slow at figuring out how to cook them and what ones are safe for her age (she only has 4 teeth). Can anyone make some suggestions?

By: Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net

Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:15:00 +0000

I always start out with very small portions of food on our children’s plates. I know if they are still hungry, they will ask for more. And, I want them to be in tune with their satiety. Knowing when they are satisfied with a meal is important to learn. We do not belong to the “Clean Plate Club”. Many of us grown-ups either haven’t learned it or have to learn it in adulthood. It’s so much harder to learn as a grown up!

By: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:45:38 +0000

Wow this was a great one for me. I always feel like I’m failing when my kid doesn’t eat, but this puts it in to perspective and gives me a better idea on how to encourage him to eat better, while not worrying that he isn’t eating enough!

By: Jean-Marie

Jean-Marie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:41:48 +0000

Such a timely topic for us. I kept wonder why my 2 year old would only eat his cantalope or carrots and not touch his grilled cheese. I usually offer up a fruit or vegetable while I’m preparing the protein portion of the meal to keep the little one happy. But now I’m thinking I’m giving him too big of a fruit or veggie portion and he gets too full by the time the rest is served. (Of course he has no appetite for the portion that requires the most effort ) I’m going to see if I can get a better balance by serving smaller portions. Thanks for the insight!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:11:05 +0000

I tend to give my 16-month old more than she needs, and half of it ends up on the floor. I’ve found that if I can feed her alone and separate from the other kids, I can be more diligent about the appropriate portion sizes (and give her more variation). When we’re all eating together, there’s too much activity and chaos to go back and forth from my plate to hers. She ends up getting a little too much of whatever we’re having, and I have to clean up the mess afterwards.

I think a compartmentalized plate in the best way to go! I just need to do it more often!