I have two beautiful daughters under 2 years of age, and with y oldest, I will admit that me and the Mrs. struggle with what to give her to eat. We are very strong about giving her high quality food (no candy, soda, minimal "treats" etc.), and quite frankly she would rather drink milk and water most of the time over trying to eat what we give her. I need some advice on what types of things your kids seem to really enjoy, or maybe some advice on how to "trick her" to want to eat what we try to give her...Side note, just got her highchair, which has shown some improvement, but not dramatic enough to make me happy. THANK YOU EVERYONE
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I have two beautiful daughters under 2 years of age, and with y oldest, I will admit that me and the Mrs. struggle with what to give her to eat. We are very strong about giving her high quality food (no candy, soda, minimal "treats" etc.), and quite frankly she would rather drink milk and water most of the time over trying to eat what we give her. I need some advice on what types of things your kids seem to really enjoy, or maybe some advice on how to "trick her" to want to eat what we try to give her...Side note, just got her highchair, which has shown some improvement, but not dramatic enough to make me happy. THANK YOU EVERYONE
1. I make an organic mac and cheese from the box and I take a bag or two of assorted organic frozen vegetables that I put in a food processor and chopped really finely (not pureed)... I then take a boiled chicken breast or two and chop it finely into a food processor to a similiar consistency
and then add a little cheese or marinara to mix it up...
I make a huge batch and freeze it into individual servings... kids seem to like the marinara and pasta angle... I use shells because the chicken and vegetables mix becomes a filling in the shells... kids this age can eat it by hand or spoon which helps with the high chair... vegis, meat/protein and a taste that kids like...
2.. chicken quisadillas
I get a low sodium rotisserie chicken and strip it of meat... (newseasons/wholefoods places like that should have free range and less salt)
take all the meat off and shred it finely... then cook a mixture of mushrooms and spinach, perhaps a little onions/garlic you can add what you like but I like the nutritional value of spinach and that it wlits to it becoming alot of food in a small bite...
then I take 10 inch tortillas... and put in the filling along with organic montrey jack cheese on half of the burrito and then fold it over... heat a pan with oil and brown both sides... then cut in half... the finished serving size should like with 1/4 of a pie... I usually make about 2 packs worth 8-10 burritos X 2... which comes out to 32-40 servings... the wife and I eat a few for dinner on the night we make it and then I freeze the rest...
each piece is a serving for a one meal... I cut it into bite sized pieces that are meant to be eaten by hand...perfect highchair food..
you get the spinach and the meat/protein... and it tastes good enough for adults to eat with salsa, guac, sour cream, margaritas etc...
3. yogurt...
I think that yogurt is a good desert and way to end the meal... you get the dairy and it is good for digestion for what ever else they are eating... look for something fruit based with minimal sugar... trader joes makes a reasonably priced organic strawberry yogurt in small servings similar to yoyobaby but sometimes half the price... and I can put things into it like bananas, avacado, and the daily vitamins
Please tell me a few of your meal choices... I also make a beef stew which works well for the high chair crowd because it can be cut into finger pieces... sometimes put some orzo pasta with it
here are some ideas...
1. I make an organic mac and cheese from the box and I take a bag or two of assorted organic frozen vegetables that I put in a food processor and chopped really finely (not pureed)... I then take a boiled chicken breast or two and chop it finely into a food processor to a similiar consistency
and then add a little cheese or marinara to mix it up...
I make a huge batch and freeze it into individual servings... kids seem to like the marinara and pasta angle... I use shells because the chicken and vegetables mix becomes a filling in the shells... kids this age can eat it by hand or spoon which helps with the high chair... vegis, meat/protein and a taste that kids like...
2.. chicken quisadillas
I get a low sodium rotisserie chicken and strip it of meat... (newseasons/wholefoods places like that should have free range and less salt)
take all the meat off and shred it finely... then cook a mixture of mushrooms and spinach, perhaps a little onions/garlic you can add what you like but I like the nutritional value of spinach and that it wlits to it becoming alot of food in a small bite...
then I take 10 inch tortillas... and put in the filling along with organic montrey jack cheese on half of the burrito and then fold it over... heat a pan with oil and brown both sides... then cut in half... the finished serving size should like with 1/4 of a pie... I usually make about 2 packs worth 8-10 burritos X 2... which comes out to 32-40 servings... the wife and I eat a few for dinner on the night we make it and then I freeze the rest...
each piece is a serving for a one meal... I cut it into bite sized pieces that are meant to be eaten by hand...perfect highchair food..
you get the spinach and the meat/protein... and it tastes good enough for adults to eat with salsa, guac, sour cream, margaritas etc...
3. yogurt...
I think that yogurt is a good desert and way to end the meal... you get the dairy and it is good for digestion for what ever else they are eating... look for something fruit based with minimal sugar... trader joes makes a reasonably priced organic strawberry yogurt in small servings similar to yoyobaby but sometimes half the price... and I can put things into it like bananas, avacado, and the daily vitamins
Please tell me a few of your meal choices... I also make a beef stew which works well for the high chair crowd because it can be cut into finger pieces... sometimes put some orzo pasta with it
Rice take a bit to figure out what kind of they like, Peruvian green rice is a huge hit sometimes), steamed carrots, thin spaghettii with a little sauce, peas, fresh mashed potatoes. Try ém all and don't be afraid to intro new healthy foods on their tray. I had a BLAST cooking & feeding my nieces when they were lil ones at that age.
Lot of parents unfortunately bail out and feed an easy unhealthy diet. Great you're heads up about good eating habits early.
Good thread.
Rice take a bit to figure out what kind of they like, Peruvian green rice is a huge hit sometimes), steamed carrots, thin spaghettii with a little sauce, peas, fresh mashed potatoes. Try ém all and don't be afraid to intro new healthy foods on their tray. I had a BLAST cooking & feeding my nieces when they were lil ones at that age.
Lot of parents unfortunately bail out and feed an easy unhealthy diet. Great you're heads up about good eating habits early.
....spanish rice (another hit), sliced Avocado, fresh oatmeal w/brown sugar (warm not hot á course), apple sauce, also good intros. Whole thing is about presenting a plate that has various healthy flavors. You'll spot who likes what.
....spanish rice (another hit), sliced Avocado, fresh oatmeal w/brown sugar (warm not hot á course), apple sauce, also good intros. Whole thing is about presenting a plate that has various healthy flavors. You'll spot who likes what.
the quesadilla is actually really good even for the adult pallet... I keep it simple with spinach, mushrooms and chicken...
I do a rice and mixed vegis, but I cut down on rice because of the whole arsenic thing that came out last year...
you would think pizza would be a winner... but tell me if the quesadilla works for you... if she will eat a grilled cheese sandwich the quesadilla isnt much different... just more nutritional value...
I serve that with a side of avocado slices which seems like a logical pairing...
my good friend told me about his chicken devon recipe...
basically its chicken, spinach and whatever vegis you can hide in it, 1 can mushroom soup, 1 can cream of chicken, cheddar cheese... I use the healthy start soups that have better ingredients but more importantly no MSG... another meal we all can eat, I just need to practice it a few more times to get it down...
you are correct tho about healthy eating habits.. but unlike us not everyone enjoys cooking... I probably cook about 80% of the meals for the family and leave the cleaning, laundry etc to the wife... If there is ever a choice of what to do I start cooking
the quesadilla is actually really good even for the adult pallet... I keep it simple with spinach, mushrooms and chicken...
I do a rice and mixed vegis, but I cut down on rice because of the whole arsenic thing that came out last year...
you would think pizza would be a winner... but tell me if the quesadilla works for you... if she will eat a grilled cheese sandwich the quesadilla isnt much different... just more nutritional value...
I serve that with a side of avocado slices which seems like a logical pairing...
my good friend told me about his chicken devon recipe...
basically its chicken, spinach and whatever vegis you can hide in it, 1 can mushroom soup, 1 can cream of chicken, cheddar cheese... I use the healthy start soups that have better ingredients but more importantly no MSG... another meal we all can eat, I just need to practice it a few more times to get it down...
you are correct tho about healthy eating habits.. but unlike us not everyone enjoys cooking... I probably cook about 80% of the meals for the family and leave the cleaning, laundry etc to the wife... If there is ever a choice of what to do I start cooking
I thank you both for replying to this post!!! Great reads. I am forwarding this thread to my lady for her to keep handy.
dl36, I love that you're a cook, as I am not haha, but I'm trying to learn as we go. I usually give my daughter spaghetti, noodles with added frozen organic vegetables. I've tried yogurt and applesauce many times with very minimal success. I really like the "variety" plate mentioned to give her multiple options, that is something we need to get better at.
I have tried regular sandwiches with sliced meat, maybe mayo or mustard, different cheeses, and nope. Grilled cheese sounds like a great idea that I will also try. She loves avocado, so I'm thinking tomorrow/tonight I will go with a grilled cheese sandwich with some avocado and rice on the side, and will try another organic yogurt flavor I've yet to purchase to change it up.
Truly I thank you both so much for the input so far, and I'm open for more ideas as well. This is a great thread, I just needed to quote "man-up" and finally start this
I thank you both for replying to this post!!! Great reads. I am forwarding this thread to my lady for her to keep handy.
dl36, I love that you're a cook, as I am not haha, but I'm trying to learn as we go. I usually give my daughter spaghetti, noodles with added frozen organic vegetables. I've tried yogurt and applesauce many times with very minimal success. I really like the "variety" plate mentioned to give her multiple options, that is something we need to get better at.
I have tried regular sandwiches with sliced meat, maybe mayo or mustard, different cheeses, and nope. Grilled cheese sounds like a great idea that I will also try. She loves avocado, so I'm thinking tomorrow/tonight I will go with a grilled cheese sandwich with some avocado and rice on the side, and will try another organic yogurt flavor I've yet to purchase to change it up.
Truly I thank you both so much for the input so far, and I'm open for more ideas as well. This is a great thread, I just needed to quote "man-up" and finally start this
1. I make an organic mac and cheese from the box and I take a bag or two of assorted organic frozen vegetables that I put in a food processor and chopped really finely (not pureed)... I then take a boiled chicken breast or two and chop it finely into a food processor to a similiar consistency
and then add a little cheese or marinara to mix it up...
I make a huge batch and freeze it into individual servings... kids seem to like the marinara and pasta angle... I use shells because the chicken and vegetables mix becomes a filling in the shells... kids this age can eat it by hand or spoon which helps with the high chair... vegis, meat/protein and a taste that kids like...
2.. chicken quisadillas
I get a low sodium rotisserie chicken and strip it of meat... (newseasons/wholefoods places like that should have free range and less salt)
take all the meat off and shred it finely... then cook a mixture of mushrooms and spinach, perhaps a little onions/garlic you can add what you like but I like the nutritional value of spinach and that it wlits to it becoming alot of food in a small bite...
then I take 10 inch tortillas... and put in the filling along with organic montrey jack cheese on half of the burrito and then fold it over... heat a pan with oil and brown both sides... then cut in half... the finished serving size should like with 1/4 of a pie... I usually make about 2 packs worth 8-10 burritos X 2... which comes out to 32-40 servings... the wife and I eat a few for dinner on the night we make it and then I freeze the rest...
each piece is a serving for a one meal... I cut it into bite sized pieces that are meant to be eaten by hand...perfect highchair food..
you get the spinach and the meat/protein... and it tastes good enough for adults to eat with salsa, guac, sour cream, margaritas etc...
3. yogurt...
I think that yogurt is a good desert and way to end the meal... you get the dairy and it is good for digestion for what ever else they are eating... look for something fruit based with minimal sugar... trader joes makes a reasonably priced organic strawberry yogurt in small servings similar to yoyobaby but sometimes half the price... and I can put things into it like bananas, avacado, and the daily vitamins
Please tell me a few of your meal choices... I also make a beef stew which works well for the high chair crowd because it can be cut into finger pieces... sometimes put some orzo pasta with it
I agree on all fronts. My daughter is a bit older (4.5). The mac and cheese idea was and still is a hit.
We get the organic mac and cheese (Annies can be found at any grocery store) and basically throw whatever is in the fridge in there. We call it the kitchen sink Mac and cheese. We always have veggies so those go in there. we do not put them in the processor. We just steam things like broccoli and carrots and put them in. Ground turkey also works well.
The yogurt idea is also a hit. Best thing is that we have brainwashed her into thinking that it is an after dinner treat. Plain greek yogurt is very healthy. We then add in nuts, and strawberries, blue berries *what ever we have) and top it off with a dash of cinnamon (and sometimes honey). She loves it.
Daughter is also a big tofu fan. I do a light egg wash and then into the skillet for a few minutes to give it some texture. Put it on top of some rice and it is a hit.
There are many more things. I will post as they come to mind.
Quote Originally Posted by dl36:
here are some ideas...
1. I make an organic mac and cheese from the box and I take a bag or two of assorted organic frozen vegetables that I put in a food processor and chopped really finely (not pureed)... I then take a boiled chicken breast or two and chop it finely into a food processor to a similiar consistency
and then add a little cheese or marinara to mix it up...
I make a huge batch and freeze it into individual servings... kids seem to like the marinara and pasta angle... I use shells because the chicken and vegetables mix becomes a filling in the shells... kids this age can eat it by hand or spoon which helps with the high chair... vegis, meat/protein and a taste that kids like...
2.. chicken quisadillas
I get a low sodium rotisserie chicken and strip it of meat... (newseasons/wholefoods places like that should have free range and less salt)
take all the meat off and shred it finely... then cook a mixture of mushrooms and spinach, perhaps a little onions/garlic you can add what you like but I like the nutritional value of spinach and that it wlits to it becoming alot of food in a small bite...
then I take 10 inch tortillas... and put in the filling along with organic montrey jack cheese on half of the burrito and then fold it over... heat a pan with oil and brown both sides... then cut in half... the finished serving size should like with 1/4 of a pie... I usually make about 2 packs worth 8-10 burritos X 2... which comes out to 32-40 servings... the wife and I eat a few for dinner on the night we make it and then I freeze the rest...
each piece is a serving for a one meal... I cut it into bite sized pieces that are meant to be eaten by hand...perfect highchair food..
you get the spinach and the meat/protein... and it tastes good enough for adults to eat with salsa, guac, sour cream, margaritas etc...
3. yogurt...
I think that yogurt is a good desert and way to end the meal... you get the dairy and it is good for digestion for what ever else they are eating... look for something fruit based with minimal sugar... trader joes makes a reasonably priced organic strawberry yogurt in small servings similar to yoyobaby but sometimes half the price... and I can put things into it like bananas, avacado, and the daily vitamins
Please tell me a few of your meal choices... I also make a beef stew which works well for the high chair crowd because it can be cut into finger pieces... sometimes put some orzo pasta with it
I agree on all fronts. My daughter is a bit older (4.5). The mac and cheese idea was and still is a hit.
We get the organic mac and cheese (Annies can be found at any grocery store) and basically throw whatever is in the fridge in there. We call it the kitchen sink Mac and cheese. We always have veggies so those go in there. we do not put them in the processor. We just steam things like broccoli and carrots and put them in. Ground turkey also works well.
The yogurt idea is also a hit. Best thing is that we have brainwashed her into thinking that it is an after dinner treat. Plain greek yogurt is very healthy. We then add in nuts, and strawberries, blue berries *what ever we have) and top it off with a dash of cinnamon (and sometimes honey). She loves it.
Daughter is also a big tofu fan. I do a light egg wash and then into the skillet for a few minutes to give it some texture. Put it on top of some rice and it is a hit.
There are many more things. I will post as they come to mind.
Thank you Matt. I'm definately going to go with the mac and cheese special . I love Annie's brand, and actually one of our special things is eating an orange together. Now though, she's insistent on peeling the orange herself, and she always gets a peel piece off and goes "here daddy" for every piece, maybe 15 times over. It's so adorable.
Also the impressionable part you mentioned is very spot on. Going to make a special daughter only grocery trip here after work since I got the next 2 days off. Thank you all for your help, it's truly opened my mind up to new ideas that have been working so far (ex: the multiple options plate where she's going to want something for sure.) She's been "pigging out" lately!!
Thank you Matt. I'm definately going to go with the mac and cheese special . I love Annie's brand, and actually one of our special things is eating an orange together. Now though, she's insistent on peeling the orange herself, and she always gets a peel piece off and goes "here daddy" for every piece, maybe 15 times over. It's so adorable.
Also the impressionable part you mentioned is very spot on. Going to make a special daughter only grocery trip here after work since I got the next 2 days off. Thank you all for your help, it's truly opened my mind up to new ideas that have been working so far (ex: the multiple options plate where she's going to want something for sure.) She's been "pigging out" lately!!
. I love Annie's brand, and actually one of our special things is eating an orange together. Now though, she's insistent on peeling the orange herself, and she always gets a peel piece off and goes "here daddy" for every piece, maybe 15 times over. It's so adorable.
Thank you all for your help, it's truly opened my mind up to new ideas that have been working so far (ex: the multiple options plate where she's going to want something for sure.) She's been "pigging out" lately!! 
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