When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I was on Pinterest and Google almost every day. I was looking for maternity outfits, newborn baby picture ideas, baby outfits, best strollers, etc. The last thing on my mind was searching for meal ideas. Apparently, I thought it would be the simplest thing about having a baby. You just feed them what you eat, right? Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong about that.
One of my biggest struggles has been finding meal ideas for my kids. More specifically when they are 12-24 months. On his 12-month well-child visit, the doctor said “your baby can now eat the same things you eat”. I was so excited. Finally, I wouldn’t have to worry about cooking for him, or making him baby food, etc. Again, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
This kid doesn’t like anything I eat! So what did i do? Yes! I went to Pinterest and Google looking for meal ideas. I found some super cute meal ideas. But none of them worked! My kid doesn’t like bananas, rice, bread, eggs, or cheese. As you are probably thinking right now, most meals consist of those ingredients he doesn’t like.
Little by little, I began to put together meals for him based on the things he does like. That’s why I decided to write about those ideas. Maybe you have a picky toddler at home, or maybe you are just looking for new meal ideas to mix things up a little.
6 Meal Ideas for your Picky Eater
Tortilla Chips and Beans
If there is one thing my son loves to eat, it’s definitely beans! We like to eat haystacks. That’s tortilla chips, cheese, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and sour cream. For my son, I found he liked the chips, so I only give him the chips and the beans and he loves it!
Beans in themselves are a great source of protein. So, he doesn’t need meat with that meal. If he looks like he needs something else, to complete the meal, I give him applesauce.
White Rice and Seaweed
Seaweed??!! Yes. Seaweed. No worries, I have done the research for you. Seaweed is healthy and safe for your toddler to eat (unless they have a known allergy to it, of course). They are loaded with vitamin A, B, and vitamin C. They have iron, calcium, magnesium, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, seaweed has protein, fiber, and other things. Matter of fact, you should eat seaweed too! haha
Also, I said my kid doesn’t like rice, right? Well, it turns out he’d only eat rice with seaweed. Go figure!
Oatmeal and Strawberries
Good ‘ol avena. Oatmeal makes a great breakfast because it is super filling. You eat a plate of oatmeal and you won’t be hungry until lunch time. This reduces the amount of snacks you eat between meals, helping you loose weight or maintain your weight. But we are talking about toddlers here. Oatmeal has fiber and complex carbs, which take a longer time to be absorbed by the body, leaving your kid’d belly full and happy.
Preferably, you should be making old fashioned oats which are not a processed as quick oats.
Oatmeal combinations:
- pecans, apples and cinnamon
- strawberries (or a fruit of your choice) on the side
- frozen blueberries as a topping
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Since he began eating solid foods– at around 6 months– he’s loved eating sweet potatoes. When I brought him to my mom’s house, she would always joke and say: “what’d you bring this time? Orange jars?” But it’s what he liked, so there’s that.
Now, I baked the sweet potatoes, put them in the blender with a little bit of soy milk and butter. It’s so smooth and creamy… it makes a very good lunch or dinner for him.
Soy Yogurt and Honey Nut Cheerios
We decided to switch from cow milk to soy milk when my daughter (now 7) turned 1. She was not lactose intolerant, but she did get a little gassy from it. My son had a similar experience, so we give him soy or almond yogurt. Oatmeal or yogurt are usually his go-to breakfasts. I’ll give him some cheerios so he can add them to the yogurt, or strawberries.
Chickpea Pasta with Sauce
I recently discovered chickpea pasta, and it’s amazing! It’s a great alternative to regular pasta as the carbs are much more complex, and it’s overall a healthier choice. I’ve tried lentil pasta, but I prefer the taste of the chickpea pasta, because the lentil one has a grany-er texture.
The brand I have stuck with is this one. For your convenience, you can buy it from amazon, but you can also find it in Walmart, or your local health-food store.
I just add some spaghetti sauce and call it a meal. Sometimes, I’ll add grated parmesan cheese.
Now, these are just 6 meals that I feed my picky eater. I am still finding new ideas that will keep him healthy and full. If you have any more ideas, please let me know in the comments, so that I can check them out!
I’d love to hear from other mommas going through this same experience.
Remember that you are the best mom your kid’s could’ve asked for! You got this!
Sincerely,
