Your toddler is at a busy time in his life. Getting a toddler to sit down for a formal meal can be like herding cats; a lesson in futility. But, just because your toddler doesn’t sit and consume a full meal doesn’t mean they can’t get a well-rounded diet. Nothing is better for an on-the-go child than finger foods. They are fun, they are easy and they can be nutritious.
]Even as adults finger foods can be fun to eat and even preferable to fork and spoon meals. Finger foods can also sit on a plate for a longer period of time, which is important for the easily distracted and busy 1-3 year old crowd. It is important to encourage your toddler to sit while he or she is eating to reduce the risk of choking. But, the following foods are good choices for your busy toddler.
Fruit- Cut into small pieces. Peel off tough skin for younger toddlers.
Dried Cereal- Choose whole grain varieties with no sugary coatings. Cheerios and Chex are both healthy choices, and fun shapes for kids.
Cheese- Cut soft or semi-soft cheeses into bite-size bits. You can also shred string cheese into manageable pieces for your toddler.
Whole grain breads- in addition to sliced bread consider mini bagels, pitas and tortillas. Use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes for the VERY picky toddler.
Cooked pasta- Choose whole-wheat pasta in finger-friendly shapes (bow-tie, fusilli, shells, and rotelle). You can pair the pasta with a “dip” of homemade marinara.
Vegetables- “Trees” of steamed broccoli and cauliflower are fun for kids to eat. Most vegetables make good snacks for your toddler once they have been softened and chopped. Offering a low fat dip or hummus with vegetables may make them more palatable to yoru toddler, especially the finicky eaters.
Hard Boiled Eggs- sliced and only after one year of age to reduce the risk of allergy.
Toasted Cheese sandwich or quesadilla cut into small pieces or cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
Waffles without syrup. Each square makes a good sized bite! Offer with a “dip” of all-fruit spread.
Meats- Pieces of lean ham, turkey or chicken. Make sure that the meat is moist; Keep in mind how hard it is as an adult to eat dry meat!
With a little planning, your on-the-go toddler can eat a well-balanced diet, even if it is accomplished through the creative use of finger foods. Tags: healthy finger foodstoddler finger foods
Your toddler is at a busy time in his life. Getting a toddler to sit down for a formal meal can be like herding cats; a lesson in futility. But, just because your toddler doesn’t sit and consume a full meal doesn’t mean they can’t get a well-rounded diet. Nothing is better for an on-the-go child than finger foods. They are fun, they are easy and they can be nutritious.
]Even as adults finger foods can be fun to eat and even preferable to fork and spoon meals. Finger foods can also sit on a plate for a longer period of time, which is important for the easily distracted and busy 1-3 year old crowd. It is important to encourage your toddler to sit while he or she is eating to reduce the risk of choking. But, the following foods are good choices for your busy toddler. 
