Toddler’s can be pickier than any food critic. And while they might not phrase their dislike of certain foods as, uh, eloquently (the words “yuck” and “no!” come to mind), they can scare you into thinking they’ll never eat anything at your establishment again! If you’re about to close up shop, try these 5 healthy AND tasty toddler lunches. You’ll be back in business in no time!
All recipes by Stacy Whitman and Kim Galeaz, R.D., C.D.
Creamy White Bean Dip With Toasted Triangles
TIME:
20 minutes
RECIPE:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut five 6-inch wholewheat pita rounds into 8 wedges each. Arrange on large baking sheet and spray with olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, drain and rinse one 15-ounce can each great northern beans and cannellini beans. Pulse in food processor with 1⁄3 cup chopped green onion, 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste), 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper and salt to taste until nearly smooth. Makes 2-1⁄2 cups dip and 40 pita triangles.
Per Toddler Serving: (2 tablespoons dip and 2 triangles) 91 calories, 5 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate, 1 g fat (0 g unsaturated), 20 IU vitamin A, 39 mg calcium, 1 mg iron, 154 mg sodium, 1 g fiber
Try Graduates® Smart Sips™ from Gerber. The nutritious beverage created specifically for toddlers. And, don’t forget to check out our new Menu Planner – it generates easy-to-follow, nutritionally balanced menus in one click! You can also customize menus, and print a convenient shopping list too.
Click here to visit Gerber.com/toddlermenus
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PBJ and Apple Rolliups
TIME:
15 minutes
1. Spread four whole-grain flour tortillas with 2 tablespoons natural smooth peanut butter each. Top with 1 tablespoon 100 percent strawberry spreadable fruit. Sprinkle one half of each with 1/4 cup finely chopped organic apple.
2. Roll up and press on edges to seal; cut in half. Mix 1/2 cup diced apple in medium bowl with 1-1/2 cups assorted, chopped organic strawberries, pears, grapes and pitted cherries. Serve your toddler 1/2 rollup and 1/4 cup fruit salad.
Per toddler serving: 216 calories; 13% protein (7 g); 45% carbohydrate (25 g); 42% fat (10 g); 4% saturated fat (1 g); 180 mg sodium; 34 mg calcium; 0.8 mg iron; 6 mg vitamin C; 0.1 mg vitamin B6; 40 mcg folate; 4 g dietary fiber.
Try Graduates® Smart Sips™ from Gerber. The nutritious beverage created specifically for toddlers. And, don’t forget to check out our new Menu Planner – it generates easy-to-follow, nutritionally balanced menus in one click! You can also customize menus, and print a convenient shopping list too.
Click here to visit Gerber.com/toddlermenus
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Chicken Couscous
TIME:
25 minutes
Serves 4; for ages 3 years and up
1. Prepare 1 cup whole-wheat couscous according to package directions, replacing water with 1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth. In large skillet, sauté 1/2 cup diced organic celery, 1/4 cup diced organic red bell pepper and 1/4 cup diced organic yellow bell pepper in 1-1/2 tablespoons canola oil. Microwave 1 cup diced organic red potato until nearly done; add to skillet and cook until all vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in 3 cups chopped organic spinach; 2 cups cooked and diced boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; and 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth. Stir until heated through. Combine with couscous and salt to taste. Serve your toddler 3/4 cup.
Per toddler serving:
193 calories; 33% protein (16 g); 47% carbohydrate (23 g); 20% fat (4 g); 2% saturated fat (0.5 g); 30 mg cholesterol; 76 mg sodium; 30 mg calcium; 1.6 mg iron; 26 mg vitamin C; 1,065 IU vitamin A; 0.3 mg vitamin B6; 0.1 mcg vitamin B12; 50 mcg folate; 4 g dietary fiber.
Try Graduates® Smart Sips™ from Gerber. The nutritious beverage created specifically for toddlers. And, don’t forget to check out our new Menu Planner – it generates easy-to-follow, nutritionally balanced menus in one click! You can also customize menus, and print a convenient shopping list too.
Click here to visit Gerber.com/toddlermenus
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Salmon Burgers
TIME:
15 minutes
Makes 3 burgers; for ages 1 –4;
1. In a medium bowl, combine 7.1 ounces skinless boneless pink salmon, 1⁄4 cup light mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, 1 tablespoon fi nely minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest. Add 1⁄2 cup garlic-and-herb breadcrumbs and 1 large egg, beaten, and mix until well blended.
2. Divide mixture into 3 balls. Roll each ball in 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs, then flatten into patties about 4 inches in diameter and 1⁄2-inch thick.
3. Coat 10-inch skillet with nonstick cooking spray and cook salmon patties over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Serve each on a whole-wheat burger bun with lettuce and tomatoes, if desired.
Per toddler serving (1⁄2 burger with bun): 192 calories, 24% protein (12 g), 43% carbohydrate (21g), 33% fat (7 g), 7% saturated fat (1.5 g), 1.5 g fiber
Try Graduates® Smart Sips™ from Gerber. The nutritious beverage created specifically for toddlers. And, don’t forget to check out our new Menu Planner – it generates easy-to-follow, nutritionally balanced menus in one click! You can also customize menus, and print a convenient shopping list too.
Click here to visit Gerber.com/toddlermenus
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PHOTOS: SARA REMINGTON;
FOOD STYLING: TIM MOSBLECH
Wagon Wheels with Spinach Pesto
TIME:
20 minutes
Recipe:
Cook 8 ounces of wagon wheel pasta according to package directions; drain. In a food processor or blender, puree 3 cups packed baby spinach leaves, 1 cup packed basil leaves, 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1⁄4 cup pine nuts, 2⁄3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 teaspoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon honey.
While the food processor or blender is running, gradually pour in 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil; process until combined. Toss the cooked pasta with the pesto. Gently fold in 1⁄2 cup fi nely chopped grape tomatoes. Makes 10 servings.
Per toddler serving:
(1⁄2 cup) 195 calories, 6 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate, 9.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 1,150 IU vitamin A, 5 mg vitamin C, 82 mg calcium, 1.6 mg iron, 91 mg sodium, 1.5 g fiber
Try Graduates® Smart Sips™ from Gerber. The nutritious beverage created specifically for toddlers. And, don’t forget to check out our new Menu Planner – it generates easy-to-follow, nutritionally balanced menus in one click! You can also customize menus, and print a convenient shopping list too.
Click here to visit Gerber.com/toddlermenus
Turn the “No!“‘s and “Yuck!“‘s into “More!” and “Yum!”
