What menu is suitable for a toddler to receive her daily nutrition?

Question

My toddler is such a picky eater. I want her to have a well-balanced diet. Any suggestions for her 3 meals a day and snack?

Answer 1

Well, not knowing exactly what foods she likes and doesn't like, it's hard to suggest a 'sample menu' -- but how about something like:

Breakfast:  Scrambled egg and a slice of toast (with butter or a little jam) ,  or french toast or waffle, orange juice, milk.

A.M snack: Fresh fruit.

Lunch:  Sandwich, (peanut butter or egg salad or tuna or chicken salad) or a carton of yogurt; cucumber slices,   grapes, milk.

P.M. snack:  Nilla wafers and a glass of milk.

Supper:  Whatever you are having. (Meat/fish/legumes, veggies, a starch.) If she really doesn't like it, offer a carton of yogurt or a bowl of healthy dry cereal.  

Answer 2

try this website www.wholesometoddlerfood.com

Answer 3

McDonalds

Answer 4

mine ate pretty well...but my niece, omg she was really good at not eating anything! Offer her a lot of dipping foods, carrots in ranch, strawberries in cool whip, dipping is fun. Also, if she can...have her help you, I swear you can get a kid to eat anything as long as they get to make it. have her do the pouring or putting the two peices of bread together to complete the sandwich. Toddlers dont eat that much either, which is totally normal. just make sure that when she does eat its healthy. a fruit veggie or a grain!

Answer 5

Hmm it would help if I knew what she did not like, then I could offer other options.  

Breakfast

Cereal with milk and dried fruit- you can throw a few raisins or craisins in there.

1 egg any style, 1 slice of toast with jelly or peanut butter, fresh fruit

Lunch

PB&J sandwich or PB&J cracker sandwiches (homemade)

Turkey or ham or roast beef or tuna and cheese sandwich

(My son also likes these in tortillas rolled up)

offer the sandwich with fresh fruit or veggis sticks and dip, or string cheese, or nuts, or granola bar or yogurt or apple sauce

Dinner

Try to pick a lean protein, veggi, starch

Burritos

Rice, refried beans, LF cheese, LF sour cream, Mild salsa and corn wrapped in a flour tortilla

Spaghetti

In marinara sauce, side of green beans and grilled chicken

Roasted chicken

with rice or potato and veggi

Mac and cheese dish

stir in some corn and lean ground beef, turkey or chix

Snacks

Any of the lunch sides are great choices

Drinks

In my very humble opinion, I believe our kids are given way to many "drinks" and not nearly enough water.  My son asks for water often even though when we are out a soda, juice or milk may come with his meal, because that is what he is given primarily at home.  Of course sometimes he wants a chocolate milk or soda and that's ok, because it is a treat then.  He takes a refillable water bottle to school each day instead of a juice box.

Answer 6

Though we all strive for high-nutritional meals for our children, at her age please don't stress if she isn't the fruit and veggie kind of girl...I have 3 daughters and have read my fair share on this subj.  I'll tell you what I give my youngest as an example.  

B-fruity cheerios and milk

S-Peanut butter crackers and juice

L-Lunchable type food and juice

S-A blueberry waffle--she eats it like a cookie-no butter or syrup

D-What ever we are having plus some peas...this is one veggie I know she'll eat.

She doesn't really like milk so much so consumes more fruit juice than I would like, but to make up for this, I buy a fruit/veggie blend (all of my girls drink this) they taste no veggies and I can ensure a higher vitamin intake this way.  I also give my older girls flintstone vitamins.  If your little one is old enough, this is an option for you as well.  My littlest is still to small for them.  I do hope this helps you.  Do your best and she'll be fine.  In another year you'll be able to incorporate more healty foods...just keep introducing them and she's sure to acquire a taste for at least one or two.  Best of luck!

Answer 7

We feed our 2 1/2 year-old boy oatmeal with milk for breakfast, Gerber Graduate trays for lunch and dinner, and sometimes Mac'n Cheese. He'll also eat all kinds of fruit, veggies, fish sticks, etc.

Answer 8

Talk to her doctor. I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as she is eating well. Kids usually balance out what they need during the day.

Feed her things she likes that have vitamins/minerals added. Try sneaking the veggies into dishes she likes. My son loves spaghetti so I add onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms. It tastes good and the peices are so small he doesn't even notice they are there.

Keep trying to feed her the good for her foods she doesn't like and she will eventually like most of them. My son didn't like any veggies when he was 2-3, I'd have him take at least one bite of everything. They say it takes 10-20 times of a kid trying a food before they like it. Now he loves most veggies and will try all new foods.

I remember taking every condoment out of my fridge and having a taste-test party with chicken to see what he liked best. I think that giving him control of what he put on it made it more fun for him.

Answer 9

I started my 22 month son again on baby cereal.  He loves it and its really good for them.  I can mix it with veggie juice, or you can mix baby meats in it too and they don't even notice.  Baby cereal has lots of iron and other nutrients.

Now of course you have to keep trying new things with your little one.  Make sure to try foods that you don't like too... you never know she might like them.

I just know that I can sleep better at night, if we tried all sorts of new things that day, and even if he didn't eat well... at least he can eat some cereal for breakfast or even in the evenings and I know he got something good in his belly.

Good luck!