4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (1)
Thanks to Enfa*grow for sponsoring this post.4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2)

I can remember when each of our kids started to become picky eaters, so to hopefully help you, I am going to share tips below that are practical and easy to begin.

At one year old they were enjoying all of those delicious vegetables and fruits. By 18 months, they were throwing their apple on the floor and reaching for a cracker. I don’t know what it is or how they seem to learn it, but it has happened with all four of our kids.

Did you know that, on average, toddlers are only getting about 25% of the brain-nourishing DHA many experts recommend? DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and it is important for their brain growth (85% of brain growth happens within the first three years of a child’s life).

Today I want to give you four tips to keep your toddler eating healthy foods.

Make a smoothie popsicle. Our kids loved these at a young age! I filled them with all of those healthy fruits and veggies that they didn’t want anymore. They gobbled them right up!

Try supplementing their diet with Enfa*growIt just helps ensure that your child is getting the nutrients he/she may need. They really need that DHA – an importantnutrient that’s particularly hard to get from the foods toddlers typically eat. DHA can be found in foods like fatty fishes and I can tell you that we really don’t eat that around here.

I hear this over and over again. Our doctor has told us this and even our chiropractor told us to start using them. They both said that if we can find foods thathaveprebiotics, to try that. The suggestion that I gave for #2 is helpful because Enfa*grow makes toddler drinks that haveDHA and probiotics (among other things like calcium, vitamin D & Iron). I just get the drinks that they make for kids ages one to three. It is a powder (they make ready-to-drink boxes, too). You can see more here. https://bit.ly/V8JSy3.

I bought the cookbook from Jessica Seinfeld about sneaking veggies into your kid’s food and I have been using it for years. Our favorite recipe from there is definitely the coconut chicken. It is fantastic!

You can find some great recipes on the Enfa*grow website, like this one:
Banana Muffins

Makes about 18 muffins

Ingredients

4 scoops Enfa*grow® Toddler Next Step™ Vanilla or Natural Milk powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
5 tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
6 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° F.
Mix all dry ingredients (Enfa*grow powder,flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and oats) in a large bowl.
Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, oil, waterand bananas.
Stir with a fork until the dry ingredients are moistened.
Fill well-greased muffin tins 2/3 full.
Bake at 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.

BONUS #5.Let it be available
Read this post on how I help our kids to eat more fruits & vegetables:
4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (8)

Do you want to try Enfa*grow for your kids?
You can have a chance to win the Enfa*grow gift package (ARV $38) that will include the following:

One Toddler Transitions Can (21oz.)

One Toddler Next Step Natural Milk Flavor Can (24oz.)

To enter, simply leave a blog post comment below about why you want your toddler to try it!

*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C. 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WHO ALREADY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion begins 9/8/2014 at 12:00 AM PST and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 9/24/2014. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Official Rules, eligibility, prize descriptions and odds disclosure are available at <https://www.thesitsgirls.com/sweepstakes-official-rules/> . Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721.

I received compensation and free Enfa*grow for this post. Enfa*grow would be happy to help you with your question. Please contact them at 1-800-BABY-123.

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (9)

Categorized as: Kid Friendly Recipes, Kids, Staying Healthy!, YourModernFamily

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (10)

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet co*ke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

You May Also Like

YourModernFamily

Spring Gifts – Ideas for Everyone

YourModernFamily

Chilled Southwestern Quinoa Salad

YourModernFamily

Weight Watcher Ice Cream Sandwiches

YourModernFamily

Meatless Yellow rice and beans Recipe!

4 eating tips for toddlers (& a healthy banana muffin recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Is banana healthy for a toddler? ›

Nutrition in bananas

They are baby and toddler-friendly as they contain no salt or saturated fat. Like all fruit and veg, they are also packed with fibre, helping to keep little guts happy, healthy and regular.

What is the nutritional value of banana muffins? ›

Muffins, banana (1 medium - approx 2 3/4" to 3" diameter) contains 53.5g total carbs, 51.4g net carbs, 12.4g fat, 6.6g protein, and 348 calories.

Can a 1 year old eat muffins? ›

Baby led weaning takes practice and patience. For 6-9 month olds, you can serve mini muffins whole so baby can pick it up with the palmer grasp. Once baby develops the pincer grasp around 9 months, you can break the muffin up into smaller pieces.

Is banana milk safe for toddlers? ›

It's so easy, has potassium and fiber, and tastes so good—even with just a small amount of sweetener. It's a healthy toddler drink that you can make at home to serve with breakfast, as a stand alone snack, or as a simple bedtime snack.

Are 3 bananas a day too much? ›

How many bananas a day should you eat? While there's no strict rule, it's best not to eat more than one or two bananas a day. Eating more could lead to weight gain, as they contain both carbohydrates and sugar. Ensure you're eating a balanced diet by including a range of fresh fruits and vegetables.

How to serve a muffin to a 9 month old? ›

How to prepare muffins for a 9-month-old. Try cutting muffins into bite-sized pieces. The smaller morsels will encourage your older baby to work on her pincer grasp.

Is my 1 year old hungry? ›

6 to 23 Months Old

Your child may be hungry if he or she: Reaches for or points to food. Opens his or her mouth when offered a spoon or food. Gets excited when he or she sees food.

Can a 1 year old eat junk food? ›

Continue breastfeeding as much as your child wants, until he is at least 2 years old. Avoid junk food and soft drinks.

Can a 1 year old eat pizza? ›

12 months old +:

If you feel confident in the child's biting and tearing skills, present a slice of pizza with the tip cut off (so it's not too floppy). Note that softer, thinner pieces of pizza can glom up in the mouth and cause some gagging.

Can babies have tuna? ›

Tuna, when fully cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Wait to regularly serve most species of tuna until a child is older, as many have high mercury levels.

Can babies eat fish fingers? ›

It should be fine to give your baby homemade fish fingers from about six months. However, according to the NHS, shop-bought fish fingers should only be given occasionally from about nine months. This is because shop-bought fish fingers can be high in salt, and too much salt isn't good for your baby.

Should you cut up bananas for toddlers? ›

As babies and toddlers grow, you can continue to offer banana whole and partly peeled or start to experiment with offering banana cut into small bites. A small piece of banana offers a great way for toddlers to start mastering the skill of spearing foods with a little fork.

Is it okay to give my baby bananas every day? ›

Is banana good for babies every day? Well, the answer is yes. However, a baby should be given only a small banana once a day. Eating too many all at once could pose a problem to the child's health and can lead to constipation due to the pectin fibre present in it.

Can 2 year old eat banana at night? ›

"Bananas are filling and contain plenty of carbohydrates and soluble fibre that might help little ones go to bed feeling satiated. Carbohydrates may also help tryptophan (an amino acid that is linked to sleep) get to the brain.

Which fruit is good for child? ›

Fruits
  • apples.
  • apricots.
  • bananas.
  • pears.
  • grapes.
  • kiwis.
  • mangoes.
  • oranges.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5582

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.