Toddlers love to eat with their fingers. That doesn’t mean your child has to live on French fries and chicken nuggets though. There are so many healthy finger foods that make great snacks and meals. Whether it’s celery and peanut butter or vegetable fries, your child will love these healthy toddler finger foods.
Celery and Peanut Butter
Whenever you empty a jar of peanut butter, wash it out and place it in your cabinet. You can then add more peanut butter to the bottom and fill it will celery sticks. This is a great portable snack that your toddler can take on the go. If your child doesn’t like celery, try carrot sticks instead.
Baked Chicken Strips
Instead of fried chicken nuggets, why not make your child baked chicken strips? Season fat-free buttermilk with salt and pepper and dip your chicken tenderloins in the buttermilk, next dip the tenderloins in crushed cheese crackers and place on a non-stick cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink. Serve with your child’s favorite dipping sauce.
Vegetable Fries
If your toddler loves French fries, cut up other hard, starchy vegetables and roast them in the oven to make oven fries. You can use sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other hard vegetables. It’s a great way to get your kids to eat different vegetables.
Cheese Crackers
Cheese crackers are a quick, easy snack for your toddler. You can even find whole grain varieties that are healthier than the regular cheese crackers.
String Cheese
String cheese is so much fun for kids. It’s a food they can actually play with. Best of all, it’s an excellent source of calcium, protein, and Vitamin D.
Steamed Vegetables
Last, but not least, steamed green beans and carrots are also great finger foods and make great side dishes to chicken strips. You could also steam baby corn, sugar snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. As long as it’s easy to eat with your hands, it’s a good fit.
You don’t have to let your toddler eat foods high in fat and calories. There are so many healthy finger foods that give your child the nutrition she needs. It might be baked chicken strips at dinnertime or it might be a snack of celery and peanut butter. Either way, these healthy toddler finger foods are foods that you can feel good feeding your child.
More on the Subject of Toddlers and Healthy Eating:
Top 10 Items to Encourage Every Picky Eater
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