Realistic toddler food

I suppose my time has come.  It seems that every mom with a blog has a "toddler approved" list of foods.  I can't really knock them, because those mom's saved my sanity when my creative spark was just lost to think outside the box for a new meal for her.  I know she can eat whatever we eat...so says the pediatrician...but have you ever tried to feed a toddler soup?  How bout something with jalapenos?  Sandwich that's not just a PB&J?  Also, have you ever tried to convince a picky eater (or a teething toddler) to eat something other than soft pasta?  And really, how many times can you feed them mac and cheese, or grilled cheese, before you start to feel a little guilty that they're not getting a variety of foods?  So, I've come up with the list of foods that have worked in our house, hopefully some of them will work for you, or at least spark some ideas to help you think of more!



Breakfast (we're still working on getting a worthwhile list here, my kid isn't much of a breakfast eater)

Oatmeal with applesauce (make regular oatmeal according to directions, then add in apple sauce)

Scrambled cheese egg and toast

Fruit smoothie (this may be a texture issue, for Lya it is.  However, there are also some bolthouse farms smoothies that are pretty good.  You can add yogurt into your home made smoothie too!)

Shredded wheats

Yogurt

Fruit

Lunch/Dinners

Grilled cheese (you can add some shredded deli ham or turkey into this.  Keep the pieces small though, if your toddler doesn't like to stray from the original, they might catch on if the pieces are bigger)

Mac and cheese (We add in peas.  We always have frozen veggies in the house, so we just steam them in the microwave and add in some peas to the servings.  I usually make it with peas and tuna for us, however Lyla hasn't quite found enjoyment in tuna yet, and the smell will definitely alert them to something new.  But, peas work pretty well if steamed to a soft texture.)

If you have a pasta lover, these next 2 are gold!

Cook pasta (if she's in a pasta rut we keep a few cups already cooked in the refrigerator to reheat.)  You can add some steamed veggies (corn, peas and carrots work well) and top with alfredo sauce.  Also, keep some shredded chicken on hand.  I cook mine in the slow cooker, pull it apart with a fork, and put it in the freezer.  I take out a few tablespoons whenever I need it.  You could also put it through the food processor and turn it into a fine paste so it's REALLY well hidden, and easy to swallow without any choking hazard)

Also, if you have a lasagna lover but, obviously, cooking lasagna is a bit of a task, this is a GREAT alternative.  Again, keeping some cooked pasta on hand, and precooked ground beef in the freezer.  Take about a cup of pasta, and a few tablespoons of ground beef and heat for 1 minute in the microwave.  Stir in some mozzarella cheese, or grated parm.  Add red sauce and a tablespoon or 2 of ricotta cheese.  If you have a kid who will go for it, you could steam some frozen diced green and red peppers in the microwave (or heat it when you heat the pasta and meat).  Stir together and serve.  It's like a messy lasagna, but it's finger friendly, or spoon and fork friendly.  

Taco ring or salad (I'll have a taco ring post coming up soon, but the taco salad is way easy.  I took about 3 lbs of ground beef and cooked it with taco seasoning.  We batch cook for the week so this gave me about 6 1/2-lb servings.  Mix some lettuce shreds, diced tomato, mexican blend cheese, your warmed ground beef, some sour cream and some taco sauce in a bowl.  Use crushed tortilla chips in place of croutons.  You can even add in kidney or black beans if this is something your child is eating a lot of as some extra filler that is healthy.  If you have all the ingredients prepped, this takes about 3 minutes to throw together.

Cheeseburger grilled cheese (use some of that precooked ground beef in the freezer and add it into your grilled cheese.  Dip it in ketchup)

Home made chicken nuggets (chicken tenders and shake and bake)

Sweet potato fries (not really a dinner, but a good side)

Stuffing (again, a good side.  One my daughter LOVES)

Turkey ring with gravy (This will go hand in hand with my taco ring post that's getting ready to come.  It's also a GREAT way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers)

Frozen ravioli with red sauce (we by the mini raviolis in the freezer section in a bag.  I think you boil them for about 7 minutes or so, add some red sauce, and away you go)

Snacks

Pineapple

Bananas

Apple

Fruit cups

Chobani yogurt

Cottage cheese

Frozen fruit (we put it in a small bowl with some water to let it thaw.  Lyla LOVES eating blueberries that way, it takes perhaps 5 to 7 minutes to thaw 15 to 20 blueberries from frozen to soft in some cool water)
Spinach artichoke dip, I do a home made version.  It's not great for all the time, but it does get some spinach and dairy in their system.  Most definitely a snack, not a meal.