How to Choose Appropriate Foods for Toddler Self Feeding

Most toddlers would rather not eat at all than have a parent feed them, so parents need to know how to choose appropriate finger foods for their tiny tyrants.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose healthy foods. Appropriate toddler finger foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and the occasional fruit juice sweetened cookie or muffin.

2. Encourage variety. Perhaps your toddler would like to eat only banana and o shaped cereal from now on, you should still add other foods to his tray even if he does not initially eat them, perhaps some cooked, cubed sweet potato or maybe just another variety of whole grain cereal occasionally.

3. Avoid foods that could be choking hazards. Raw carrot may be healthy but it is not an appropriate finger food for a self feeding toddler.

4. Dole out snacks sparingly. It can be easy to fall into the habit of giving your toddler fish crackers, cookies, or plain pasta because they are not messy and are easy for your toddler to grasp and eat, but remember fruits, vegetables and lean proteins should be the basis for your toddler's diet as opposed to carbohydrates made with white flour and very little fiber.

Tips & Warnings

• Always supervise your toddler's meals to avoid choking.