Feeding a Toddler

Little kraut's daycare sends out a daily report at the end of every day that includes activities for the day, as well as nap, "bathroom", and feeding schedule. They also include notes for the whole class. Yesterday's read:

PARENTS: We have been seeing more and more "pouches" in children's lunches. They should only be used as a snack, not as a meal replacement. Please let us know if you'd like to give you the nutrition guidelines for this age, as well as some ideas for fun lunches. We are here to help!

His teacher mentioned that one of the kids had 4 of these food pouches for lunch. That was it. It makes you wonder what these little ones have for breakfast or dinner. Daycare also offers a school snack in the afternoons, in part to show parents: yes, your child can handle real food, and to give them some ideas for lunches. 

To be clear, little Kraut doesn't get these pouches. While they're great for traveling, I agree: they're not a meal. First of all, the kids in his class are 12-18 months old. Kids that age need to experience food by touching and tasting it, feeling different textures and getting used to different flavors is so important. Not only does it teach kids about food and help them develop fine motor skills, for me, that's really the own way to make sure little Kraut gets healthy food that is not loaded with empty calories and sugar.

I'm no super mom and it takes a lot of time to prepare food for daycare sometimes. So I look for shortcuts as well. Every once in a while I wonder through the baby/toddler food section and I'm shocked to see lots of sugar and little nutritious value. And I'm often already looking in the natural/organic/hippie section expecting better quality. I think it's just really sad for those kids who don't have moms that read labels. So, I sometimes get bunny crackers as a snack when they're on sale, but usually leave the section empty handed.

So - what does little Kraut get for lunch? First of all, I must say, he is a really good eater and will at least try most things (I like to think the way we've been offering him different kinds of food from an early age on has something to do with it).

Here are some examples of what he usually gets (5 items/day typically, in 4 oz. containers):

- fruit (bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, grapes (cut in half), etc.)

- cottage cheese or yoghurt mixed with quick cooking oats and either fruit, apple sauce, or some fruit spread

- sandwich with cream cheese or sunflower seed butter cut in bite sizes

- pasta (he doesn't like them plain anymore and we often eat pasta for dinner anyway so he gets leftover mac & cheese, pasta with tomato sauce, pasta salad, etc.)

- vegetables, roasted, steamed, or boiled (in chicken broth for extra flavor): carrots, zucchini, potatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, peas, etc.

- meat: chicken, brats, hot dogs - we usually just make a little extra for dinner

- I bought tofu for the first time last week and he didn't hate it. It's all about the right seasoning and I'm still figuring that out

- mini muffins are also a great snack. Every once in a while I will make a big batch on weekends and freeze them. Just pop them in the microwave for 5 seconds and they're ready to go (they don't usually last very long because I love them for breakfast too)

- crackers/pretzels are usually added at the end of the week when we start running out of things too.