Introduction
Thinking up toddler meal ideas alongside family ones can test even the most creative cook. You know you need to get all the food groups into them, and particularly fruit and veg, but making it tempting for a toddler (especially one who’s mastered the word ‘no’) isn’t so straightforward. Offer your toddler three meals, two snacks and six to eight drinks a day and here are some tips to get started:
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Mix up favourite dishes by swapping regular fruit and veg for new, exciting ones
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Bite-size pieces and finger foods are more appealing to tiny diners
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Make mealtimes more fun by asking your little helper to get involved
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Avoid distractions no screens or noisy toys
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Get excited about the food and your toddler will soon want to join in and remember to offer lots of praise
For more tips read out article mealtimes with toddlers. To help you out we’ve got some tasty recipes and food hacks that have been tried and tested on toddlers. Only offer foods that are right for your baby’s age and stage of development. Every baby is different, so go at their pace.
How to get my toddler to eat fruit and vegetables
Some toddlers take to most fruit and veg straight away, while others are more tentative. Don’t despair if your toddler is strictly a ‘carrots and peas only’ kind of kid. It can take up 10-14 attempts for a toddler to get used to new flavours and textures, so be patient in the face of flying florets.
Keep the fruit and vegetables for your toddler coming with each meal, you never know when they might dig in. You could even sneak some into pies, sauces and casseroles where they’re none the wiser, so at least you know your mini-me is getting their five a day somehow.
Some simple tactics to get more fruit and vegetables into your toddler:
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Offer carrot sticks, cucumber stick or slices of pepper with hummus as a snack
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Give apple slices with smooth peanut butter as a snack
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Mix chopped or mashed vegetables with rice, mashed potatoes, meat sauces or dhal
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Chop prunes or dried apricots into cereal or plain, unsweetened yoghurt; or sneak them into a stew
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For a tasty dessert, try mixing fruit (fresh, canned or stewed) with plain, unsweetened yoghurt
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Making fruit and veg ‘faces’ together can be a fun way to discover new flavours and textures
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Add some Kiwi fruit in your toddler's diet because it can help with constipation
Creating a balanced and appealing meal plan for your toddler doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Remember to be patient and persistent when introducing new foods and don’t be afraid to get creative with preparation and presentation. By involving your toddler in this process and making mealtimes fun, you will be able to start encouraging healthy eating habits in no time!