Want to feed your toddler foods they love whilst also ensuring they get the nutrients their growing body needs? You’re in the right place! Our favourite lunch and dinner ideas for toddlers are not only delicious, but packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein.
These meals can also be prepared quickly, making mealtimes less stressful for you and your family. Whether you’re looking for creative lunch and dinner ideas or want to expand your healthy toddler meal options, we’ve got you covered.
Key Takeaways
- Discover our favourite lunch and dinner ideas for your toddler
- Learn how to create healthy, balanced meals that appeal to young taste buds
- Find inspiration for easy-to-make, nutritious toddler snacks and meals
- Explore toddler-friendly recipes that encourage self-feeding and food exploration
- Gain confidence in preparing delicious, nourishing meals for your growing toddler
Introduction to healthy toddler meal planning
Planning meals for toddlers can be tough as you want to give them a balanced diet that also tastes good.
It’s important to offer your little one a variety of foods. Include fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to ensure your child gets all the nutrients they need. Try to make their plate colourful, as each colour brings with it different vitamins and minerals.
If your little one is a picky eater, you face another challenge. Dealing with picky eaters requires patience and persistence and toddlers might not like new foods at first. But don’t worry, it can take up to 10 to 15 tries for your little one to accept a new food.
Planning meals ahead can also save time. Chop veggies, cook grains, and prep proteins early in the week as this helps a lot during busy days. Also, let your toddler help with meal planning and cooking; it makes them more excited to try new foods!
When you are planning meals, choose simple, healthy recipes. One-pot meals like casseroles or stir-fries are great as they let you mix many ingredients and they’re easy to clean up. Try healthy twists on favourite dishes, like using whole-grain tortillas or mashed avocado instead of mayonnaise.
Nutritious and easy lunch ideas for toddlers
Lunchtime is a great chance to give your toddler a meal that will keep them going all afternoon. Try these simple, tasty, and nutrient-packed meals…
Sandwiches and wraps
Sandwiches and wraps can be made in many ways to please your little one. Here are some yummy and healthy options…
- Hummus, grated carrot, and cucumber sticks in a mini wholemeal wrap
- Mashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta on whole grain bread
- Cream cheese, smoked salmon, and thinly sliced cucumber on a mini bagel
- Almond butter, sliced banana, and a drizzle of honey on wholemeal bread
- Omega 3 Rich Sardine and Chickpea Hummus on wholemeal bread
Protein-packed lunch bowls
Lunch bowls are a great way to mix different foods into your toddler’s meal…
- Quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, and avocado with a squeeze of lime
- Couscous, chickpeas, cucumber, and crumbled feta with a drizzle of olive oil
- Brown rice, shredded chicken, grated carrot, and peas with a yoghurt dressing
- Lentils, roasted sweet potato, spinach, and a sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese
Veggie-filled pasta dishes
Pasta is a hit with toddlers and is a great way to add more veggies into their diet without them realising!
- Wholewheat penne with homemade tomato sauce, grated courgette, and parmesan
- Spiralised courgette noodles with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella pearls
- Orzo pasta salad with roasted red peppers, peas, and crumbled feta
- Tortellini with steamed broccoli, carrots, and a light cream sauce
- Spiced Winter Goulash with Pasta
Delicious and fun dinner ideas for toddlers
At dinnertime, It’s important to find recipes that are healthy and fun for toddlers without being too stressful for you to make and one that can be adapted so that all the family can enjoy!
Casseroles and bakes
Casseroles and bakes mix many healthy ingredients into one dish. They’re easy to make and can be tailored to your family’s likes.
- Vegetable and chicken pasta bake with hidden veggies like grated courgette and carrot
- Shepherd’s pie with a mashed potato topping and minced lamb or lentils for a vegetarian option
- Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower bake with a crispy breadcrumb topping
- Sweet potato and black bean enchilada casserole with mild spices and plenty of melted cheese
Interactive dinner ideas to encourage self-feeding
Self-feeding is key for toddlers and interactive meals make it fun for them to try new things. Here are some ideas…
- Mini pizza faces with wholemeal English muffins, tomato sauce, and colourful vegetable toppings
- Deconstructed tacos with soft tortillas, seasoned ground turkey, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and grated cheese
- Veggie-packed sushi rolls with cucumber, avocado, and carrot, served with a mild soy sauce for dipping
- Baked potato wedges with a selection of healthy dips like hummus, guacamole, and Greek yoghurt
Toddler & family friendly meal ideas
Mini frittatas with hidden veggies
These small frittatas are a clever way to add veggies to your toddler’s diet. Mix eggs, milk, and finely chopped veggies such as spinach and peppers. Pour the mix into a muffin tin and bake until they’re golden.
Colourful quesadillas with nutritious fillings
Quesadillas are fun and a great way to introduce new tastes and textures to your toddler and can be enjoyed by all the family. Use whole-wheat tortillas and fill them with shredded chicken, black beans, and cheese. Cook until crispy, then cut into wedges. Serve with mild salsa or guacamole for extra flavour.
Turkey and veggie meatballs with dipping sauce
Meatballs are a hit with toddlers and the whole family! They can also be made healthier. Mix ground turkey with carrots, courgettes, and onions then form into small balls and bake until done. Serve in tomato sauce.
Baked sweet potato with yoghurt dip
Sweet potato is a tasty, healthy snack for your toddler and the rest of the family too. Cut sweet potatoes into fry shapes and bake until crispy. Serve with yoghurt and herbs for a delicious snack or as a side to your main meal.
Creamy avocado pasta with cherry tomatoes
This pasta dish is full of healthy fats and vitamins. Cook pasta, then mix with mashed avocado, cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese. The creamy sauce will be a hit with your little one!
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through introducing solids.
Choose foods that are full of nutrients to keep toddlers satisfied. To ensure a balanced diet, include foods from all main groups. Offer colourful fruits and veggies for vitamins and minerals and choose whole grains for carbs.
Include lean proteins like chicken and beans too and provide calcium-rich foods like milk and cheese for strong bones. Aim for a balanced diet over a week, not specifically every meal.
If you know your little one has a specific food allergy, you can make some simple swaps. Instead of dairy milk for example, use non dairy milk such as coconut milk. And if nuts are a problem for your little one, swap nut butters for seed butters.
Enjoy fruits and veggies that are in season such as cooked pumpkin in autumn or soft pears in winter.
If your little one isn’t a fan of certain flavours, try offering deconstructed versions of mixed dishes by separating the components of a casserole or stir-fry to let your toddler explore each element.
