Dinner Ideas for 16-Month-Old
In his second year, a child transitions from getting all nutrition from breast milk or formula to eating a variety of foods in an adult-like diet. At 16 months, a child can eat most table foods. Peanuts and peanut products, such as peanut butter, should be avoided until age 3. Serve meals that offer a mix of tastes, textures and nutrients to meet the child's needs while making sure the meals still are child-friendly.
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Nutritional Requirements
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services recommend three oz. of grains, one cup of vegetables, one cup of fruits, two cups of dairy products and two oz. of proteins each day for 2-year-olds. Sixteen-month-olds would need slightly less each day. An individual child may eat slightly more or less than these guidelines. Bring up any nutritional concerns with a pediatrician.
Family Friendly
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Toddlers can eat what you make for the rest of the family, with a few exceptions. Some favorites are pasta and meatballs; chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes; or stir-fry with rice. Cut food into pieces small enough to be easily manipulated by the child with her fingers or utensils. Alternatively, use a small hand grinder to process table food to a toddler-friendly texture. Toddlers are less likely to eat a large meal in the evening, but always offer a choice of food to ensure the development of a varied appetite. Milk and other dairy products should be full-fat for children younger than 2.
Breakfast for Dinner
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Offer traditional breakfast choices during dinner. Some children will eat unadorned scrambled eggs while others prefer added cheese or vegetables. Scrambled eggs rolled into a tortilla and cut in circles are easy for a 16-month-old to handle. Other child favorites are pancakes, waffles and French toast. Minimize the sugar content by serving them without syrup. Instead, let them dip the items into yogurt. Give your child breakfast meats such as bacon or sausage in moderation. Full-fat yogurt with any combination of kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and mandarin oranges provides fruit and dairy at the same time.
Finger Food Buffet
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Because 16-month-olds often still eat with their hands, offer finger foods for a meal. Grape tomatoes (cut in half), cubes of extra-firm tofu, black beans, frozen peas and small pieces of cheese are tasty, nutritious and withstand multiple attempts at self-feeding. Provide fresh fruit such as a sliced banana or grapes cut in half for dessert.
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Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters — and sometimes, they can be picky drinkers, too. Whereas some tots are content to carry around their sippy cups all day (filling up on too much liquid and not enough nutrient-filled foods), other
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Calcium, vitamin D, and fat work with other nutrients to promote optimal bone and brain development in infants and toddlers, especially in the first 1,000 days of life. Research has shown that this period is critical for brain growth in particular
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Its generally not recommended to give pineapple to a nine-month-old baby. Heres why:* Acidity: Pineapple is highly acidic, which can irritate a babys sensitive digestive system. This can lead to discomfort, gas, and even diarrhea.* Allergens: Pineapp
