Healthy snacks and lunch ideas for Toddlers

I have an almost 16-month-old and have never once given her Chef Boyardee or anything like that.

For breakfast she loves scrambled eggs with a bit of cheese & salsa, banana, oatmeal (I add half the amount of water called for to be able to give her "globs" to pick up--she loves it!), any kind of fruit.

Lunch she typically eats leftovers from dinner because she refuses to eat sandwiches, but I have pre-made and frozen mini meatloaves, rice/bean/cheese patty-type things in muffin shape, homemade veggie pizza (easy to make on an English muffin half), she does eat hot dogs occasionally, today she is having some pulled pork from the night before last, I always give her a fruit & veggie (honestly I just get no-salt-added canned veggies--she loves green beans, carrots, and peas that way...fruit she loves pineapple, peaches, pears, applesauce). Sometimes I give her plain deli meat or seasoned chicken breast cut into pieces with some cheese. Overall I aim to give her a protein, fruit, and veggie with lunch.

Snacks: raisins (she would live on raisins if I let her lol), string cheese, whole grain Goldfish crackers, graham crackers, yogurt (she would also live on this if I let her), whole milk or watered down apple juice in her sippy cup.

I spend some time on the weekends prepping any food that needs to be prepped, like the chicken breasts I cook in the crockpot with seasonings so they're tender enough. I work full time during the week, so I also need the convenience of being able to put together a lunch quickly. I suggest getting some small containers to put these things in. It takes me 5 minutes max to put together her lunch in the mornings.

Sorry to ramble! I'm always in search of new ideas for toddler lunches, and I love sharing what I've found works for her.

My DD is 4 so a bit older than yours. She is more of a grazer than an eater. She prefers lots of mini meals. And since I stay home with her, she can eat like that.

She loves raisins, yogurt, craisins, graham crackers, baked Goldfish, Mickey cheese, grapes (cut in half for a little one), watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, peas, carrots, celery, Animal cookies, Kix, Cheerios. Lunches are sometimes a sandwich but it has to be on a hamburger bun. She won't eat regular bread unless it is toast. I make mini pancakes and freeze them for quick breakfast. I make mini pizza and freeze them too. I prefer homemade foods to processed ones so I know what is in it. I am sure she eats more than this but I just can't think of it right off the top of my head.

I have a one year old.

He loves raw sweet tomatoes, cucumbers, crushed peanuts, fruit, yogurt, cheddar or mozzarella cheese, and plain cheerios. He also loves bacon and roasted meats.

We've always made him eat with us at dinner. He eats what we eat for the most part unless it's something he can't chew.

I have 4 kiddo's, they are 8, just turned 7, 4, and 2… I don't feed them anything different than I feed myself.

So really, any healthy snack or lunch you feed yourself, just make enough to feed your toddler too.

I personally wouldn't eat chef boyardee so I would never feed it to my kids.

My 2yo just finished up a snack… a banana. I just has some melon. Makes a good mid-morning snack.

Fruit, veggies with dip, cheese, crackers, edamame, kashi bars, almonds, pasta, roll-ups (lunch meat and cheese rolled up, or lunchmeat wrapped around a veggie), mini meatloaves, mini quiche, salads, homemade chicken nuggets, baked french fries, quesadillas, tacos, pierogies, egg rolls. Pretty much anything their size or that they can dip seems to be a hit in our house.

*edited for spelling errors and to say I am a working mom also, and understand the struggle!

Let me just start off by saying how excited I am to finally see this on the forums! I've been dying to post healthy snack ideas for toddlers! I have a 14 month old daughter, and I am a bit more conservative than most when it comes to feeding her. I find that cubed cheese (I cut it up really small for her tiny mouth) is a big hit, and greek yogurt with some chopped strawberries are another staple.

She has oatmeal every single morning, and I take advantage of that by sneaking in flax seeds and chia! I use better oats, great all natural company, tons of different flavors. They have perfect little individual packages, where you can choose from things like apples and cinnamon or chai tea. I typically go with the organic bare oats and add in some almond milk and chopped blueberries. SHE LOVES IT! Every single morning. It is messy, but well worth it. Here is the link to their website. I buy mine from Hyvee, but I believe you can get them at Walmart or Price Chopper. I find that oatmeal in the morning really starts the day off well and gives her plenty of energy and keeps away that awful mid morning burnout.

http://www.betteroats.com/brand/raw-pure-simple/


I have some go to on the go lunch snacks if I don't have time to make a meal or if we are out and about and she is hangry. (hungry/angry). Happytot makes these great organic gluten free granola bars in about four or five different flavors. Personally, my little one loves the Apple and Kale crisp! Here is the link to these, I usually have to order these directly, they are a hot item at the Hyvee in my area!

http://www.hy-veedirect.com/baby-food/happy-baby-apple+38-kale-crisp-bars+44-6pk/invt/6046641

Another great snack are these rice cakes called Toddler MumMum. Completely organic and very few ingredients. My little one prefers the strawberry flavor, and could eat 20 at a time if I let her. Really nice little company, I believe you can get them at Hyvee, Whole Foods, Target, and Price Chopper. Here's a link these also:

http://www.target.com/p/toddler-mum-mum-strawberry-organic-rice-biscuit-2-12-oz/-/A-13959197


All of those were typically quick on the go snacks. As far as lunches go, I try and do a protein, veggie, and grain all at a time. My

For proteins I do:

Applegate Naturals turkey or pepperoni
Jennio o ground turkey cooked in a skillet with some spices
Egg muffins (super easy, mix eggs/spices/shot of milk/veggies throw in muffin tins and back for 30 mins)
Mini turkey meatloafs I premake for the week and heat as needed
Johnsonville turkey sausage sliced up and heated
Shredded/cubed cheese
Peanut butter on some whole wheat crackers
Boiled eggs sliced
Greek yogurt (any kind of yogurt really, I just check to make sure there isn't a ton of sugar added)
cottage cheese
shredded roast pork

Veggies/fruits (I've been lucky, my daughter loves vegetables)

Peas cooked with some feta cheese
Steamed broccoli dipped in walden farms sweet onion dressing
Any type of beans, I usually just buy some canned organic black or pinto beans, rinse and heat.
Avocado or Wholly Quacamole organic mini packs, she LOVES avocado in all forms
Roasted tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli
Sliced peaches
Sliced strawberries drizzled with honey

Whole grains (I have never given my little one white bread or overly processed grains, and now she only likes whole wheat varieties.)

whole wheat pasta and a little tomato sauce
kashi go lean crunch cereal
brown rice cakes with a little pb
Ezekiel bread with cottage cheese
whole wheat tortilla with cheese and sliced turkey inside
whole wheat hamburger buns
van's protein whole wheat waffles with some sugar free syrup

Now, there are many times I am just too busy to make a full out meal. That is when I opt for my secret weapon, organic spaghetti rings and organic ravioli. I can read and understand everything on the list, and she LOVES this stuff! You can buy them at whole foods or Hyvee.

Also, here is a link to some super cute meal ideas!


http://www.freebiefindingmom.com/25-toddler-lunch-ideas/