When it comes to toddlers and snacks, every mealtime transforms into a joyful adventure.
The simple act of munching on little bites during both meal and snack time becomes a thrilling experience filled with laughter and curiosity.
Needless to say, these adventures sometimes come with its own fair share of chaos.
Then comes those days where they may be refusing every plate that comes their way.
As parents, we may often find ourselves bribing them to finish their plate.
“If you finish this plate, you’ll get some cake!”
“One bite, one bite, just one bite and we will eat ice-cream!”
Does this sound familiar?
If it does, don’t worry; it is instinctive to be concerned about our children’s nutritional intake.
This recipe guide aims to help parents create a more joyful and stress-free mealtime.
Taking a play on colours and textures, Chef Mohd Sharil Khan from Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital – Petaling Jaya shares some healthy toddler snacks recipes that is sure to entice even the fussiest eaters.
Rainbow Fruit Wrap
Ingredients
- 1 pc tortilla wrap
- 1 tbsp plain yoghurt
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- strawberries, banana and kiwi sliced
Instructions
- Without adding any oil, heat the tortilla in a pan until it softens.
- Spread plain yoghurt and peanut butter evenly on tortilla.
- Place kiwi, strawberries, and banana slices on the tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla.
Notes
"Enjoy the natural sweetness of fruits; no added sugar is necessary. Choose plain yoghurt for its nutrient-rich profile over fat-free varieties. Yoghurt is a great source of vitamin D, supporting healthy bone development and growth for toddlers." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital – Petaling Jaya Dietitian, Yap Zi Qian.
Nutrition
Mini Banana Oatmeal Pancake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats / quick oats
- 1 banana medium size
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup full cream milk
- 3 tsp oil
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender until you create a smooth mixture.
- Pour 1 tbsp of batter onto a hot pan.
- Flip the pancake when small bubbles appear on the surface.
- Decorate with slices of strawberries and bananas or 1 tsp of yoghurt. This recipe yields 3 pancakes per serving.
Notes
"Children can enjoy the natural sweetness of bananas where no additional sugar is needed. To maximise nutritional benefits, parents can also choose full cream milk over low-fat or skim options. On top of that, egg yolks and full cream milk are also rich sources of vitamin D which supports bone health. Last but not least, when choosing fruits for toppings, consider alternatives for blueberries to minimise choking." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital – Petaling Jaya Dietitian, Yap Zi Qian.
Nutrition
Mini Egg Burger
Ingredients
- 1 egg hard boiled
- 1 mushroom medium sized
- 1 tomato sliced
- ½ tsp oil
- lettuce sliced
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the egg until it is hard-boiled.
- Slice the egg, mushrooms and tomato.
- Sauté the mushroom and tomato with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Thread half of the hard-boiled egg onto a skewer, followed by lettuce, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
- Place the other half of the burger on the end of the thread.
Notes
"Egg yolk and mushrooms contain high vitamin D which aids healthy bone development and growth for toddlers." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital – Petaling Jaya Dietitian, Yap Zi Qian.
Nutrition
Need More Inspiration?
Here are more awesome options to try from Chef Fauziah Pakwan Chik of Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital – Setapak.
Strawberry and Banana Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1 ripe banana large
- ½ cup plain yoghurt
- ½ cup full cream milk
Instructions
- Combine all items and blend until mixture comes out smooth.
Notes
"Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fibres. Growing kids are encouraged to eat a variety of fruits as they provide a rich source of antioxidants. These nutrients offer several benefits, such as strengthening the immune system while helping to fight illnesses. In addition, the fibre content in fruits aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital - Setapak Dietitian, Siti Sarah Mohd Juzup.
Nutrition
Mini Chicken Burger
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp garlic minced
- ½ tbsp carrot chopped
- ½ tbsp broccoli
- ¼ tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup chicken minced
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 soft burger buns
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tomato slices
- 1 ½ tbsp tomato sauce
- salt to taste
- white pepper to tase
Instructions
Chicken Patty
- Chop garlic, carrot, broccoli and fresh parsley.
- Mix well with minced chicken.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Use a round mould (if needed) to shape the mixture into chicken patties.
- Grill the patties over low heat until they turn golden brown.
Burger Bun
- Spread unsalted butter on the bun.
- Place the chicken patty on the bun.
- Add sliced tomatoes.
- Add tomato sauce.
Notes
"Chicken is a valuable source of protein, which is essential for growth and development. Protein also plays a crucial role in building and repairing tissues, which is particularly important for muscle growth and repair. Additionally, chicken is rich in vitamin A." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital - Setapak Dietitian, Siti Sarah Mohd Juzup.
Nutrition
Veggie Frittata Muffin
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 4 free range eggs large
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup cheese grated cheddar cheese or crumbled feta cheese
- black pepper ground
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs chopped (optional)
- 10 cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 red pepper chopped
- ¼ cup frozen peas defrosted
- ⅓ cup broccoli chopped into small florets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Grease a 20 cm square oven-proof dish or a 6-hole muffin tin with oil.
- Crack eggs into a separate bowl.
- Add milk to the eggs.
- Whisk the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Stir in half of the grated cheese along with some ground black pepper, and optionally, herbs.
- Place your choice vegetables in the oven-proof dish. If using a muffin tin, distribute the vegetables among the holes.
- Pour the mixture of eggs and milk over the vegetables and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Allow frittata to cool slightly before removing it from the dish. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
"Eggs are a high-protein food packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They are particularly rich in vitamin D, one of the few foods naturally containing this nutrient. Furthermore, eggs contain choline, which aids in building cell membranes. Choline is also essential for brain function." - Café Columbia, Columbia Asia Hospital - Setapak Dietitian, Siti Sarah Mohd Juzup.
Nutrition
Fun Flavours, Fuss-Free Preparation
In conclusion, these not-so-tricky treats are perfect for your little toddlers.
Not only do they make snack and mealtimes both enjoyable and stress-free, but they also introduce a sense of fun and creativity into your daily routine.
By utilising these simple ingredients, parents can now create delicious options to introduce their toddlers’ taste buds to the world of flavours.
Embrace the joy of cooking and watch your toddlers delight in every bite.
And remember even when they don’t – feeding your little ones is a process.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!