Food ideas for a 15 month old

[Zenmama1]

Hi
I was just wondering if you experienced moms could give me some advice. My little one is really really tiny for a 15 mo old, and I seem to be second guessing my food choices for her lately. I eat really healthy, not because I am dieting (counting calories & fat), but just because that is what I prefer. I usually just give her things that I eat. I'm not sure if it's my cooking or my food choices, but she isn't all that interested in what I am feeding her. A typical day is: smoothie (with coconut & flax oil, protein powder, chia seeds & fruit), spinach rice pasta & vegetable pasta sauce, grilled chicken or fish, sweet potato or a vegetable (that she doesnt eat). And snacks of puffs or dry cereal, crackers, fruit strips, fruit, or hummus throughout the day. She refuses to eat eggs or avocados and she is allergic to milk & goats milk.

I read online about moms feeding their kids chicken nuggets & french fries & graham crackers. We don't eat this stuff ourselves, so I haven't let her have any. I should also mention we eat about 90% organic and hardly ever eat out. She is also more of a grazer, than a kid who will sit down for 3 meals a day.

I'm a novice cook who doesn't even know how to season rice to make it taste good :) And I am thinking that maybe the food I cook for DD would be more appealing with some simple seasonings, sauces, or dressings to add more flavor. Rather than the plain roasted, grilled or baked stuff I usually make. Salt, pepper & olive oil is about all I use because I like the flavor of the vegetables.  

So I guess my question is: What do you guys feed your kids. And do you have any simple recipes you could share?

TIA

[cyanotype]

My 16 month old, for some reason, absolutely loves spices in her food. One thing she has been eating since she was young (and still can't get enough of) is Baby Daal - sautee 1/2 a small onion until soft, and then stir in 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp finely ground coriander and 1 tsp tumeric. Add 1 large diced sweet potato, about 1/2 cup rinsed lentils, and about 1 cup cauliflower florets (you could probably be creative with adding other veggies if preferred). Add about 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock, and continue adding stock and/or water as the veggies cook down. In the end, they should be very soft and starting to smush up a bit, but still have a bit of texture. I serve this with plain yogurt and LO loves it!

[Zenmama1]

That sounds really good cyanotype! And I usually have all those ingredients around. Thanks I'm going to give it a try.

[BellaBub]

Not an 'experienced mom' but Ihave some advice! 

Never feed your bub anything that you don't already eat (and would be a major step-down, health wise) just because other Mama's are doing it.  Stick your heels in the sand!  A lot of kids will eat food with condiments.  Have you tried giving her some ketchup with her meats, or a yummy salad dressing over vegi's? 

Maybe a fully loaded mashed potato? I have some more recipes in books, for kids, that are healthy..I'll look them up for you. :)

[Snapdragon]

I personally don't think you need to feed her only what you eat as toddlers can be picky about texture/taste. I have a "good eater"- 28 months old now- and my approach was always to figure out what he really likes- then try to offer as healthy versions of those things as I can. some kids like crunchy things, some like yogurt- etcetera- start with what she actually likes, and then work in things around that, rather than getting her to try to conform to what you like. Also I like the idea of seeing their nutrition in a weekly manner rather than daily so I don't freak out if he hasn;t eaten any veggies in two days- I just make sure to get them in him the next day.

[Jennyanydots]

Originally Posted by cyanotype 

My 16 month old, for some reason, absolutely loves spices in her food. One thing she has been eating since she was young (and still can't get enough of) is Baby Daal - sautee 1/2 a small onion until soft, and then stir in 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp finely ground coriander and 1 tsp tumeric. Add 1 large diced sweet potato, about 1/2 cup rinsed lentils, and about 1 cup cauliflower florets (you could probably be creative with adding other veggies if preferred). Add about 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock, and continue adding stock and/or water as the veggies cook down. In the end, they should be very soft and starting to smush up a bit, but still have a bit of texture. I serve this with plain yogurt and LO loves it!

This sounds great! I make a lentil dish that's similar and we all (including the baby) love it, but I will try this one.

My DS is 14 months, and while he is a pretty good eater, he's super active and I'm always trying to put more meat on his bones. He loves oatmeal in the morning and will eat eggs if they're cheesy. Bananas, bread cubes, yogurt, berries, applesauce, cooked carrots, broccoli, cheese, pasta... He pretty much grazes all day. I'm always looking for new ideas, too.