Hey mamasource mamas!
I have a 2 year old son, and I am needing some ideas for food for him! We are a really on the go family and it is hard for me to give him things that are good for him that I don't have to take a lot of time preparing! He usually eats things like chicken, hot dogs, lunchables, mac and cheese, and some sandwiches. He loves fruit and does eat that pretty good! He eats lots of cereal bars, they are his favorite, and he loves oatmeal and yogurt! I would love some advice on quick and easy recipes! I am just so tired of him always eating the same things, or me stopping on the way somewhere and getting him things like chicken tenders (not so healthy!). He is pretty picky, but I am really wanting to try some new things! Oh, he doesn't really like any veggies except corn! Thanks so much for the advice!
laptoplunches.com is the best site for snack/lunch/dinner ideas. I love it and they have a free monthly letter you can sign up for as well.
Hi H.,
One of my favorite (and easy) things to make for my son is quesadillas. I use whole wheat tortillas and then I use cheese and grate up some veges and my son doesn't even realize he is getting veges. You can also put some chicken in it. I just boil some chicken on Sundays and have it for the week to shred up.
I don't have a quesidilla maker. I just use my pancake gridle and I don't put any butter on the outside. Just put one tortilla down, put the stuff on the inside, stick the other one on top, and let the cheese melt.
Also, a scrambled egg inside is good, as well. Easy "to go" food.
R.
We are always on the go as well b/c my husband and I work full time so I know how you feel. Meals need to be quick, easy and healthy. Especially in the mornings and evenings. We cook boiled eggs for the week for breakfast.Usually, my 3 year old and 17 month old get a boiled egg, oatmeal or cheerios, yogurt, string cheese and fruit for breakfast. Not everything but a mixture of that during the week for breakfast. Also, we do wheat waffles that you put in the microwave sometimes. For dinner, we cook food for the week on sunday; so we are only microwaving after work during the week. That works out really well. We do a mixuture of meat - pork chops, chicken, fish or steak; then a veggie - peas, green beans or corn; then a starch - instant potatoes, brown rice (you can buy it in a bag). We also do edamame - my 3 year old loves it and they have some you can microwave. Hopefully, that helps. good luck!
Have you used a crock pot/slow cooker??? There are tons of recipes on line (parents.com and even disney) that have simple ten minute recipes. They give ideas of how to hide veggies. My daughter really likes sweet potatoe fries. You just slice a sweet potato into thin wedges, add a little olive oil, salt and pepper and then bake them in the oven. They are tastey and SUPEr healthy.
Beans are a good way to get healthy protein into the diet. My daughter's favorite is garbanzo beans! Try some cucumber as well - one of those veggies that might really be a fruit - I slice it, stack a few to cut off edges, throw it back in the fridge for next time. I love having the little tupperware containers. I get a few prepared and then can choose from those. My daughter is more willing to try foods when I give her a fork to use. It's fun to work on getting the foods! And remember it may take 10 times to like it!
Hi H.,
It can be so tricky getting a toddler to eat & especially when you are on the go! My daughter LOVES miso soup. It's so easy to make from scratch. Just buy a pot of Miso, chicken broth & tofu. I put a little bit of seaweed in just to add some flavor but that's obviously optional. I've also made soups like Minestrone or Chicken Noodle soup & frozen it (without the noodles, those I made when I defrosted the soup) in individual portions.
Veggie or turkey burgers on thin sandwich buns are good too. Meatballs. I make mine in the oven, bake a 350 for about 30 minutes then tun up the heat to 400 for the last 10 minutes. This way they aren't fried. You can make the mixture & roll the balls the days before (or whenever you have time) they freeze them if you need too. I try to make stuff when I have a minute then freeze it.
I also love making a chicken pot pie with Grands biscuits on top instead f a crust. You just make the chicken mixture then put the biscuits on top & cook it for as long as the biscuits need to be cooked & VOILA! It's easy & no fuss!
Hummus is also full of protein & an easy snack with rice cakes or some fun veggies.
Hope this helps!
I like ground turkey meatballs. Mix the ground turkey and some seasonings/bread crumbs. Shape into balls and bake in the oven on 350 for about 20 mins. I found one pound makes almost 18 meatballs. We will have spaghetti one night and I will save the rest and freeze for other meals. They are easy to make and can be added to a meal or eaten alone.
