What Do I Feed My One-year-old?

Updated on December 27, 2009
S.E. asks from Houston, TX
4 answers

My son just turned a year old on 12/11, and I'm at a loss for what to feed him. Formula, infant cereals, baby food, Cheerios and Gerber snacks are primarily what he's been eating up until now, but he's ready to move to the next level.

I also have a four-year-old, and you'd think I know what I'm doing by now, but he has been an eerily picky eater since forever. At (and after) his one-year mark, I tried everything...but he wouldn't have any of it (I gained weight during that period due to my, "Boy, we can't waste this food!" M.O.). So now, it's been about three years since I've had to prepare meals for a ONE-YEAR-OLD. My one-year-old doesn't seem like he'll be picky at all, and I don't want to get stuck in a rut like I know I have with my older son (because he'll only eat a couple of things). I want my younger son (and my older son, too) to have the best/most varied/healthiest diet possible.

I'm a single, working mom (elementary school teacher), and our mornings start early...and are oftentimes very wild! What kinds of things (w/little prep time) can I feed him for breakfast? What would be good to send in his lunch for daycare? What about snacks? I'll take dinner suggestions, too! Teach me, teach me...I'll do anything...thanks!

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

Let him eat what you are eating. (Make sure what you are eating is healthy :) Lots of whole grains, veggies, fruit, protein (some meat), milk. Unprocessed good food made at home is best. Unless there is a dietary concern for allergies or illness, life is much easier when the choices for meals are contained within what everyone else is being offered as well. We do keep a supply of peanut butter and jelly or toast at hand in case of total rejection, but rarely is it dipped into. They just eat what is offered or they are hungry until the next snack or meal. My guys aren't overweight or underweight (although sometimes it seems like I can't keep enough calories in my 4 year old, he just burns through them so quickly!)

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B.J.

answers from Longview on

When my girls were that age I fed them applesauce or bananas and a muffin for breakfast. They also loved yogurt and breakfast bars. For lunch they liked to eat the Spaghetti O's or something of that nature and dinner was what ever I cooked. Chicken, greenbeans, etc. but of course you have to watch them closely so they won't stuff their mouths. Oh, snacks-JELLO!! Who doesn't love jello or pudding!!! Hope this helps!!

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

breakfast- cereal, sliced bananas, diced pears or peaches (softer then apples) canned diced fruits for days you can't seem to do fresh. Scrambled eggs or boiled eggs (can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a week) chopped.

Lunch/dinner- canned or frozen veggies (peas are a choking hazard) rice, chicken rice pilaf, pasta, almond and jelly sandwich (less of an allergy risk) cheese (mozzarella is softer) crackers, lunch meat (I suggest Hormel's Natural line as they don't have nitrates) hot dogs MUST be cut appropriately, NOT disc shaped, more diced fruits...

Basically, anything that you can eat as long as it's not a choking hazard and easy to chew/mash. Finger foods are best.

S., mom to 4 girls and former infant care professional.

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M.S.

answers from Houston on

This is what my just turned one year old eats in a day. Breakfast- a banana, or applesauce, and a cereal bar ( organic, or kashi) which have no extra sugar. Lunch- small pieces of lunch meat, a cheese stick, a fruit cup, and some whole wheat crackers. She has a yogurt for a snack, and some goldfish. Dinner is small pieces of chicken n broccoli. She had some milk n juice throughout the day too. I love those veggie steamer bags, then you can cut into pieces. Rotisserie chickens from the store go a long way they are very moist, and just shred into little pieces. Pasta, cheese, crackers, yogurt, motts makes applesauce in different flavors with no added sugar. Cheerios, toast, waffles, ground turkey, cut up fruit. Hope this helps some.

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