Eventually kids in daycare centers will get tired of the same old peanut butter and jelly or mac and cheese from a box for lunch. Mix it up with these quick, creative, nutritious toddler lunches and snack ideas:
Veggie Pasta Sauce
One way to get children to eat more vegetables is to add them to pasta sauce. Serve this delicious sauce over fun pasta shapes.
Ingredients:
1 can 28oz crushed tomatoes
1 T olive oil
1 tsp garlic salt
1 cup frozen carrots
1 cup thinly sliced yellow summer squash
1 can 14.5 oz Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
1 cup baby spinach leaves
2 roasted red peppers (from a jar)
Heat crushed tomatoes, olive oil and garlic salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. Place carrots and squash in microwave safe bowl and cook for 5 minutes. Puree carrots and squash in a food processor with diced tomatoes, spinach leaves, and roasted red peppers. Add pureed mixture to tomato mixture cooking in saucepan. Cook 10 more minutes or heated through. Serve over cooked pasta.
*Recipe adapted from toddlermag.com
Hummus
Hummus is a delicious, nutritious dip made of chickpeas. Hummus is great with veggie sticks, crackers, or pita bread.
2 cups canned organic chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup tahini sauce (sesame seed paste)
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly until water is clear. In a food processor, puree chickpeas, garlic, lemon, one tablespoon of EVOO and cumin in food processor. Scrape down sides of food processing bowl and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Continue to process until paste-like.
Baked Potatoes with Fun Fillings
Baked potatoes are rich in vitamin B and C and potassium. Topping baked potatoes with a variety of toppings keep baked potatoes interesting for toddlers. It also is an easy way to serve a complete meal. Prick potatoes with a fork and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the potato. You may also use sweet potatos or yams.
Topping Ideas:
Diced or shredded chicken with sautéed peppers
Diced sautéed veggies and cheese of your choice
Hummus dip or avocado dip
Last night’s leftovers – very quick and convenient
Quick and Easy Snacks for Toddlers
Slices of cucumber and whole grain crackers with hummus
Apple slices and cubes of low fat cheese
Whole Fruit smoothie and pretzels
Carrot sticks and whole grain crackers with cream cheese
Banana chunks with a handful of dry cheerios
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