Soft Table Foods for Early Toddlers

When your baby is between 4 and 6 months old, she is likely ready to begin eating solid food. At the outset, soft, jarred purees are the safest choice. Around 8 to 10 months of age, you can probably begin offering your child table foods. Soft foods are the best options because they don't pose as high a risk of choking as firmer foods do. The need for soft foods continues into the toddler years. Make sure any item you offer your toddler is cut into pieces no larger than 1/2 inch, cautions the Healthy Children website, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  1. Fruits and Vegetables

    • Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of your toddler's diet because they contain a wealth of nutrition, including vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium and iron. Canned, fresh and frozen foods work well, provided they are soft and mushy. Peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, corn and green beans are healthy vegetable choices. Peaches, bananas, applesauce, plums, grapes and berries are nutritious fruit options. Cut or mash fruits and vegetables and let your toddler eat them with a spoon or his fingers.

    Grains

    • Grains contain iron, fiber and B vitamins, which are vital for your toddler's growth, digestion and energy levels. Grain foods are often appealing to toddlers because they are mild in flavor and don't have a strange texture. Cooked and diced pasta is an ideal option for tiny fingers. Crackers and bread are also healthy, but be sure that your toddler doesn't mash and gum them into paste, which can get stuck in her throat and result in choking. Rice and cereal are other healthy choices that most toddlers are willing to eat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends offering plenty of whole grains, which are higher in nutrients, rather than refined ones.

    Meat and Beans

    • Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a big role in your toddler's growth and development. It's available from a variety of sources, but meat is one of the best. Offer your toddler very finely diced chicken or beef. Flaked fish is another soft and easy-to-eat option. If your toddler isn't willing to eat meat, mashed beans or lentils make a healthy, protein-packed alternative. Hard-boiled or scrambled eggs are other alternatives rich in protein.

    Dairy

    • Dairy foods are the best source of calcium, which is important for your toddler's bone growth. Once your child reaches her first birthday, her pediatrician likely recommended giving her cow's milk instead of, or in addition to, formula or breast milk. Several soft foods are made with milk, making them an ideal addition to your toddler's diet. Cheese and yogurt are healthy choices for toddlers, and they also contain protein. An occasional dish of ice cream also offers calcium.

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