[swt1899]

Hi, my son is nearly 17 months old and I am trying to figure out some more lunch options for him. He isn't a picky eater by any means. But I feel bad giving him the same lunches each week... I'd like to expand his options. Any one have any ideas? He has 12 teeth (4 molars) so he can chew very well. Here are some of my options I have for him. If you have any suggestions please share! Dinner isn't a problem because I pull some aside for him and he enjoys what we have. Lunch for me is usually simple and small... sometimes I eat some yogurt and fruit or some veggies and rice.

*Ham pieces, steamed veggies and cheese
*Ravioli pasta, steamed veggies cut up
*Grilled cheese sandwhich with peas cut up
*Grilled chicken and carrots
*Beef and veggies
*Chicken quesadillas cut up

Thanks!

[mommy2067]

How about:

*ripe avocado cut into pieces, pieces of cheese, and some buttered toast or bread
*chicken noodle or veggie soup or stew with just a little broth
*cooked cut up sweet potato and homemade cut up chicken nuggets (or frozen)
* cooked pasta of any kind with butter/olive oil, and parmesan
*french toast with cut up pieces of sausage
*over easy egg cut up with toast
*cottage cheese and veggies
*cut up cheddar cheese perogies with some steamed veg

Hope some of these are useful!!

[swt1899]

Thanks, these are great!

[mommy2067]

No prob..it was fun thinking of some ideas for you...if I think of any others I will send them along!!!

[ruthann8]

Besides some of the things previously listed mine likes,
Fish, she doesn't like it breaded
Mac and Cheese
Rice
Baked chicken
Turkey over mashed potatoes w/gravy

She will eat most veggies and fruits. I keep a drawer in the fridge with toddler friendly snacks like grapes, strawberries, pineapple, apples, cheese, etc.

Buy some small containers and make some 'TV dinners' using leftovers. It makes great quick lunches.

I’m interested in what other toddlers like too. I’m always looking for new ideas for meals.

[poliscmjr]

These are great ideas. I feel like James only eats Gerber Graduates, and not homemade food.

He only has 8 teeth though, so things still need to be soft.

[swt1899]

Thanks again ladies. I just felt bad just giving him the same ole' things. I know I don't like to eat the same thing every week.
Robert has been a big starch eater this week. His Dr says that he'll eat what he needs. I've noticed that as he's been growing. One week he'll eat nothing but veggies, another week, nothing but meat and this week he can't get enough pasta and bread. He'll eat a little of the other stuff but he ask for more of what he likes at the time. I am thankful that he eats healthy food. Over the weekend he begged for my broccoli and ended up eating half of my portion.

I have made Robert baked acorn and butternut squash and he loves it. I take the squash and half it, seed it and then put some water in a pan. I place the squash face down so it will steam. I bake it and then the last few minutes flip them and let them finish baking till soft. You can mash up the squash or chop it up in bite size pieces. I'm going to back some chicken tonight and will bake some sweet potatoes with it.

If I think of anything else food wise... I'll post it here.

[tedgar]

Great ideas here! I think that exposing babies to a variety of fruits and veggies is really important for their future interest in new flavors and textures. My daughter still eats veggies at four, sometimes even tomatoes! I wasn't too worried about feeding her things that she might not like, and she ended up enjoying a lot of foods that are not tradtionally baby foods (like those tomatoes).

Self-feeding is an excellent idea. Must write a blog about it! It is totally true that they eat what they need for growing that week - just provide a good and healthy assortment of foods.

[swt1899]

I agree that exposing children at a young age is key to developing healthy habits. I made Robert's babyfood and made him all kinds of veggies. He loves his veggies now. The other night we went out to eat and he ate a good portion of chicken from our plates, broccoli and potatoes. I found that he really liked broccoli when we were at Luby's and I had broccoli on my plate and he cried for it. I gave him a little bit and he gobbled it down and cried for more. So now if we go any where or if I cook anything I make sure I have some green veggies on hand... especially his broccoli. I wish my DH was as good of an eater as my son. He's a meat and potatoes type of guy. I sometimes have to sneak in some green in his food.