I’ve spoken here before about how lucky we are that Baby Markers is a great eater. She has very rarely turned down a meal and appreciates different flavors, textures and variety. She will typically eat whatever we’re having, so I make meals with her in mind – not too spicy or salty, but other than that anything goes.
Baby Markers LOVES fruit! I served these colorful skewers at her first birthday party.
I thought it would be helpful to make a comprehensive list of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas for when you’re blanking on what to the feed your little ones! For breakfast and lunch, I make her a meal of her own, but for dinners I like to give her what we’re eating – lasagna, tacos, stir fry, etc. But since she eats much earlier than we do (and often before Mr. Markers gets home from work), I will often feed her our leftovers from dinner the night before. When that’s not an option, I’ve listed our go-to meals that I can throw together quickly for her, ensuring that she still has a well-rounded plate of veggies, whole grains and protein.
B R E A K F A S T
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt (packets and YoBaby minis)
- Mini muffins (usually banana-blueberry oat muffins)
- Mini crustless quiche (basically egg mini muffins with veg)
- Frozen waffles/pancakes/french toast sticks
- Scrambled eggs (sometimes with spinach or other veggies)
- Avocado toast
- Bananas or mixed berries
- Grilled cheese with turkey
- Veggie burger patty
- Nut butter and jelly sandwich
- Shredded chicken breast
- String Cheese
- Hummus with pita bread triangles
- Oranges or clementines, apple slices, grapes, banana or berries (depending on what she had for breakfast)
- Applesauce packet
- Fresh or frozen veggies, or a veggie-fruit pouch
- Leftovers from dinner the night before
- Spinach tortellini or ravioli with peas in marinara
- Butternut squash mac n’ cheese with chicken, peas and roasted carrots
- English muffin pizzas with spinach and mushrooms
- Burrito bowls with shredded chicken, cheese, black beans, rice, corn and mild salsa
- Chicken, sweet potato “fries” and a frozen green veggie
- Vegetable soup with barley or rice
- Broccoli, cauliflower and quinoa quesadillas
- Shrimp and veggie stir fry
O N – T H E – G O S N A C K S
What are your little one’s go-to meals and snacks? Help me add to the list!
kiwi / 673 posts
This is a great list! I’m always looking for new ideas. LO was a great eater up until about 13 months. The last 3 months have been very tricky as she is getting pickier every day. Thanks for sharing these ideas, I’m sure I’ll find some winners!
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
these are great! I have a lot of the same meals… do you make the mini quiche’s or are they premade? And the avocado toast is that just toast and avocado? any spread or anything? Gemma might like that!
pomegranate / 3401 posts
This is awesome! I’ve been looking for more ideas!
pomegranate / 3858 posts
@beachbee: same here. The past two weeks she will barely eat anything. I wish she would eat things off this list!
grapefruit / 4085 posts
Great list! We basically do all of these too – but I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. M is 15 months and is a great eater so I like experimenting. Her favorites are avocado toast, hummus, grilled cheese, yogurt and the list goes on!
grapefruit / 4085 posts
@Mrs. Palette: For us, I make avocado toast and just mash and spread the avocado on the toast. I also make mini quiches and I just pour whisked-up eggs into muffin tins, add veggies and cheese and bake.
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
Great ideas!!
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Great ideas thanks for sharing!
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
Love this list. I find that when I write out everything we like to eat, the list inspires me to shake my routine.
coffee bean / 33 posts
what type of nut butter do you give? I didn’t really think of this because the pediatrician is always stating to stay away from peanut butter. thanks for the list!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
We basically have all of this on our list too! Now that he’s a little older we do nuts as a great source of protein. I also love Nutso nut butter, but I end up eating most of the jar!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
these are definitely essentials around here!
pear / 1672 posts
This is really helpful. My LO is 11.5 months, and I feel like her food is boring. Thanks for the ideas.
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
This is a great list! I wish Little P didn’t have an egg allergy, because that definitely prevents us from making a lot of stuff for now. We also have started bean and cheese quesadillas for him since they’re pretty easy and he likes to eat them.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
Great list! I’m always on the lookout for more ideas.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
For snacks J loves raisins recently! And I’ve started making avocado pudding – he eats it right up! Our list looks a lot like yours too.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
I am constantly looking for ideas, and a lot of these look daycare-lunch-friendly as well! Thanks!!