Getting kids to eat well with a varied diet can be very difficult, toddlers especially can be quite fussy. This post from Hello Sensible gives some ideas for todder snacks that might help.
There are a ton of different toddler snack ideas out there on the web. But I saw only a few toddler snack combinations when searching for some ideas for my own toddler.
Toddlers are sometimes the easiest to please and can be impossibly picky regarding food. I say this because I just described my toddler, who would rather be on the move than sit down and eat.
So I knew I needed several toddler snack variations to meet her nutritional requirements.
Easy And Healthy Toddler Snacks
As an Asian American mom of soon-to-be three babies under three years of age, I incorporated a bit of a twist to some of these toddler snack combinations.
And with the current inflation, I created an affordable and realistic list of healthy toddler snacks that will not break the bank! Read my 20 simple ways to save money and become a money saving mom here.
1. Fruit And Vegetable Smoothie
The fruit and vegetable smoothie has been a big hit in our home since my toddler was one year old. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables or frozen fruit and vegetables to create many variations of smoothies.
Wal-Mart carries Dole Frozen Fruit and Veggie Blends and many other frozen packaged smoothie ingredients.
2. Fruit Cups
Most local grocery stores like Wal-Mart carry pre-packaged fruit cups like the Del Monte Fruit Cups with 12 cups of assorted fruit.
Or you can follow this easy fruit cup recipe from Yummy Toddler Food to make one specific to your toddler’s favorite fruits.
3. Cereal
Cereal is one of my favorite snacks to offer my toddler. And there has been plenty of times when she’d go in the snack cabinet and pull out the big box of Special K’s, asking me for them.
There are many healthier options with less sugar, like Special K’s fruit cereal, Cheerios, and other oats and multi-grain cereal.
4. Peanut Butter Sandwich Characters
Peanut butter sandwiches with or without jelly are my favorite snacks. But it can also be a toddler’s favorite snack with the help of fun sandwich cutters.
Toddlers are intrigued by different shapes, so incorporating various cutouts and characters can encourage them to eat healthy snacks.
5. Banana Peanut Butter Or Nutella Bites
Bananas sliced thinly with a spread of peanut butter or Nutella make for a delicious and nutritious toddler snack.
6. Apple Slices
Another big hit in the house is fresh apple slices dipped in peanut butter. As you can probably tell, we are a considerable peanut butter-loving family.
7. Whole Grain Pancakes Or Waffles
There’s a lot of whole grain pancake and waffle mix sold at grocery stores like the Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix. This particular mix is one of our favorites because it contains 14g of protein per serving.
I like adding fresh strawberries to my toddler’s pancake bites. This option can be one of the best toddler snacks or a hearty meal.
8. Homemade Energy Bars
Another Yummy Toddler Food recipe we love is the Easy Homemade Granola Bars. It’s not only nutritious, but you can freeze it for up to 3 months to have on hand for a hungry toddler.
9. Egg White Bites
Do you know how we moms like to steal some of our toddler snacks? This will be one of those snacks you want to get your hands on!
I fell in love with egg white bites while living on the road, commuting daily to nursing school. This egg white bites recipe from Evolving Table is so delicious and nutritious!
10. Oatmeal Snacks
People typically either love or hate oatmeal. And then there might be those in the middle (like myself) that tolerate oatmeal because we know our bodies need the nutrition.
Another reason why I tolerate oatmeal and will eat it is that I want to set a good example to my babies. If mommy eats it, then babies will follow! Here’s a list of 10 Healthy Oatmeal Desserts and Snacks from Fannetastic Food.
11. Hard-Boiled Eggs With Cheese
This option might sound unappealing but hear me out. My toddler loves hard-boiled eggs. And she also loves her pepper jack cheese.
I like to boil her some eggs, cut them into slices, and cut her block of pepper jack cheese into cubes for the perfect, balanced toddler snack.
12. Assorted Fresh Veggies
You can create your own fresh vegetable tray, including you and your toddler’s favorite vegetables.
Our favorites are carrots, broccoli, slices of bell pepper, and cucumber!
13. Homemade Trail Mix
Another way to make food enjoyable for our little picky eaters is to make the best homemade trail mix.
You can use this Trail Mix Recipe by I Heart Naptime to get some ingredient ideas.
14. Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfait combines many healthy ingredients such as Greek yogurt, fresh fruits, and granola. Some parfaits even have chia seeds for an additional boost.
15. Fresh Veggies With Dip
I mentioned assorted fresh vegetables above, but there is an even simpler snack: a bowl of fresh baby carrots with hummus or other healthy dips.
Abbey Sharp makes it easier for us moms with her list of Easy Toddler Dip Recipes For Picky Eaters.
16. Avocado Toast
Avocado toast can be one of the most basic toddler snacks ever but you can make it more fun by adding slices of cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper. Then you can create shapes and faces on toast.
Remember to get these fun sandwich cutters to make your life a little easier.
17. Fruit Strips
Target has some great stuff. But who would have thought that Target would have some of the best toddler snacks I have seen, including fruit strips.
18. Fruit Popsicles
Making homemade fruit popsicles is one of the easiest toddler snacks besides cereal.
Add your fruit to your popsicle mold. Then, add your juice, lemonade, water, or even milk and put it in the freezer; boom, it is ready.
19. Seaweed And Rice
Seaweed snacks are another hit in our household. Also, being an Asian mom, we always have a rice cooker full of rice.
I like to feed my toddler a snack of seaweed rolls with rice. Roasted seaweed sheets are highly nutritious and taste great by themselves with a side of rice or rolled with rice.
20. Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is another delicious snack or even a meal. You can add blocks of cheese, tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers, and even some protein like tuna and hard-boiled eggs.
Best Toddler Snacks
It only needs a little time or brain power to develop easy, healthy toddler snacks. And I hope I made it easier for you with these different toddler snack combinations.
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This post was published by Hello Sensible and syndicated by Mama Say What?!
Featured image credit: Shutterstock
Tim Thomas is a renowned writer and entrepreneur specializing in finance, investing, and money matters. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the financial sector, Tim offers valuable insights into the world of personal finance, stock market trends, and investment strategies.
