The Best Toddler Meals

For a breakfast that looks fun and tastes delicious, use a cookie cutter to punch a shape into the center of a slice of whole grain bread, and place the outer edge on a frying pan sprayed with low-fat cooking spray. Carefully pour an egg into the cut out shape and cook the toast on both sides. Season lightly with a dash of dry ranch dressing and dip mix. The bread provides fiber while the egg has protein and omega-3s. For a sweeter breakfast, layer cottage cheese, whole grain cereal and fresh fruit in a favorite bowl or mug.

Little ones need plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables in their diets. Applesauce is a comforting favorite, and tastes even better when it's fresh and homemade with a drop of natural vanilla flavoring. Sweet potatoes are also packed with nutrients, and can be baked as a tasty substitute for french fries. For a mix of savory and sweet, use a plain wheat tortilla spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins and banana slices. Cut the tortilla into smaller triangles if a full tortilla is too intimidating for the toddler.

Some toddler-friendly dinners are so yummy the whole family will want some. Pasta salads offer a nutrient-rich balance of grains and vegetables. Pasta salads can include fun pasta noodles; try campanelle or tricolor fiori pasta. Add savory ingredients, such as feta cheese and celery, and also try sweet ingredients, such as mandarin oranges for a citrus boost. Tie the ingredients together with your child's favorite creamy dressing. Or use a biscuit round pressed flat as a base and cover one half with pasta sauce and chopped veggies. Fold the biscuit over and bake to create a convenient pizza pocket.

Healthy desserts add extra nutrition to your toddler's menu. As a creative way to blend produce and grains, cube slightly sticky fruits, such as apples, peaches, or bananas. Grind naturally sweetened whole grain cereal into a fine powder. Coat the fruit cubes with the cereal powder. Or during summer, spread a little vanilla yogurt between two graham crackers or whole grain cookies. Wrap the resulting sandwich in a plastic bag and freeze it until the center has a frozen yogurt consistency.