Let your child help you make healthy meals and snacks.
When toddlers get to help out, they are more likely to try new foods. And it’s a fun way to spend time together!
Parent 2 Parent
"At snack-time, I help my toddler roll up low-fat lunchmeats — sometimes with cheese, depending on what’s in the fridge. He loves it because it’s hands-on, and I love it because it’s such an easy way to give him protein."
Help your toddler start healthy snack routines that will last.
"I know my child needs snacks, but I need ideas for fast and easy healthy options."
Toddlers get hungry between meals. And snack time is a great chance to feed your toddler healthy foods (like fruits and veggies). But don’t worry — healthy snacks don’t have to be complicated.
With a little planning, healthy food can be just as quick and easy to prepare as less healthy options — and you don’t have to be a whiz in the kitchen.
Parent 2 Parent
"I buy the single serving containers of 'no sugar added' applesauce. My son loves it, and it’s quick and easy to throw it into his lunch for daycare."
Try these quick, healthy snacks:
- Small cubes of cheese and diced apples
- Canned pineapple chunks in their own juice
- Whole grain, low sugar dry cereal
- Whole grain crackers with cottage cheese
- Plain low-fat yogurt with sliced strawberries
- Sliced banana
- Cut up avocado
Safety tip:
To prevent choking, cut your toddler’s food into small, bite-sized pieces.
Want more information?
Check out these other resources for more easy ways to eat healthy:
And remember: Snack-time isn’t “treat time!” Try not to get in the habit of giving your toddler sweet, sugary foods for snacks.
Be patient with picky eaters.
"I just had to keep offering it."
Did you know that a child might need to try a new food 10 to 15 times over several months before he’ll eat it?
Yes, 10 to 15 times sounds like a lot, but you only need to offer her a spoonful each time — not a whole bowl. Give her the new food once a week along with foods she regularly eats. You may also want to try giving her new foods when you know she’s hungry — before offering her favorites.
Parent 2 Parent
"I couldn’t get him to eat the broccoli. I couldn’t get him to eat the beans or corn. He’d pick them up and chuck ‘em across the room! So I ground up the broccoli, beans, and corn and mixed them with chili. Then I put everything in a burrito, and now he eats it all and asks for more!"
Parent 2 Parent
"I’ll say, well you know, rabbits love carrots and we all do a little game around it. We pretend to be rabbits while we eat every last carrot."
Parent 2 Parent
"My daughter hates it when her foods touch each other. So we bought plates with dividers to keep everything separate."
Remember that you are still in charge. Your child is going through a stage that will pass. In the meantime, don’t force kids to eat and try to stay calm.
Want more information?
Check out these other resources: