It's easy to fall into a rut when it comes to feeding toddlers. Sometimes it may seem like they have eaten the same thing every day for weeks, and you can't come up with any fresh ideas for new foods they can try. Some toddlers can also be very fussy eaters. As their list of refused foods grows steadily longer, you may find yourself struggling to think of the next thing to offer them.
This collection of simple, healthy whole food snacks might help you to come up with something different for your little ones to eat. Take a look through them all for some new inspiration.
Fruit and vegetables
Raw fruits and vegetables may be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to whole food snacks for your kids. They are healthy, easy, and taste delicious. Try out things like:
- Apple slices
- Banana slices
- Orange wedges
- Mandarin pieces
- Kiwi fruit pieces
- Melon pieces
- Pineapple pieces
- Apricot pieces
- Peach pieces
- Avocado chunks
- Carrot sticks
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Cucumber pieces
- Berries
- Green beans
- Snow peas
- Shredded lettuce
- Mango pieces
- Beetroot slices/pieces
- Mushroom slices
- Nectarine pieces
- Olives
- Peas
- Corn kernels
- Pear pieces
- Capsicum pieces (bell pepper)
- Water chestnut slices
- Tomato wedges
- Whole cherry tomatos
- Plums
- Coconut pieces
- Celery sticks/slices
- Passion fruit
Dehydrated foods
Dehydrated whole foods are another great option. You can make them yourself if you have a dehydrator, or you can purchase them from health and whole food stores, or the health food section of supermarkets.
- Sultanas
- Raisins
- Banana chips
- Dates
- Figs
- Prunes
- Apricots
- Goji berries
- Cranberries
- Apple chips
- Sun dried tomato
- Dried coconut pieces
- Vegetable chips
- Anchovies
Roasted root vegetables
With an oven and a tiny amount of effort, roasted root vegetables are a great and simple idea for wholesome hot lunches and snacks.
- Sweet potato, cut into small pieces then roasted
- Potato, cut into small pieces then roasted
- Roasted carrot sticks
- Parsnip, cut into small pieces then roasted
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are a fantastic snack choice for older toddlers. Be careful giving nuts and seeds to younger toddlers and babies, as they can be a choking hazard.
- Raw nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts etc
- Roasted nuts such as peanuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, etc
- Roasted seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds
Cheese
Cheese is an excellent way to get some extra calcium into your little ones. There are so many different variations of cheese that it never gets boring. Some ideas include:
- Diced cheddar cheese
- Feta pieces
- Swiss cheese slices
- Parmesan cheese shavings/chunks
- Goats cheese pieces
Yoghurt
Natural probiotic yoghurt is a great source of calcium and wonderful for digestive health. You can add some healthy flavor to this delicious dairy product using some of these ingredients:
- Berries
- Crushed nuts
- Rolled oats
- Fruit pieces
- Vanilla bean
- Cinnamon
- Mashed banana
Beans
Cooked beans are another brilliant snack food, and are packed with protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates. Some variations you could try are:
- Black beans
- Black eyed peas
- Kidney Beans
- Navy beans
Canned seafood
Canned seafood is a great idea to get some protein and omega 3 into your little ones' diets. Be careful to select fish that has been canned in water rather than brine or oil.
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Mussels
- Oysters
Eggs
- Boiled eggs
- Poached eggs
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelettes
- Fried eggs
Meat
Meat is a fantastic source of protein and iron. A great idea for serving meat to your kids throughout the day is to cook up a batch of diced meat, then store it in the fridge or freezer so you can take out a few pieces as you need them over the next few days or weeks (how long the meat will keep for will depend on whether you're storing it in the fridge or freezer).
- Beef
- Lamb
- Venison
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Kangaroo
- Rabbit
- Duck
Fresh seafood
Fresh seafood is another option, and there are so many different types that are great for snacking.
- Fish fillets
- Prawns
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Crab
- Lobster
- Calamari
- Scallops
Dips
Dips are a common toddler favorite. Use some of these dip ideas for your toddler to dip their carrot/celery sticks in.
- Mashed avocado
- Cottage/ricotta cheese
- Nut butter
- Soft cheese
- Pureed tomato and capsicum
Crunchy snacks
Kids love things like potato crisps, biscuits, and other crisp and crunchy snack foods. Try out some of these whole food alternatives that your kids will love.
- Crunchy Roasted chickpeas
- Air-popped popcorn
- Sweet potato chips
- Crispy dehydrated vegetable slices
I hope you have found this list helpful, and have gotten some great new healthy snack ideas for your little ones. Are there any whole foods I have missed that your toddler loves to eat? Let us know in the comments below.