Little Bites for Better Growth: High Calorie Foods for Toddlers

Apr 9, 2011
Mary Hudlemeyer

Toddlers - MHudlemeyer

Toddlers know how to fill up a day, and eating doesn't usually win a high spot on the priority list. Since bites are limited, make every one count.

Before the age of two, children rely on nutrient-dense, high-calorie meals. At this age, growth and development happens very quickly. Breast milk or formula takes care of almost all of a child's nutritional needs before the age of one, but after the first birthday, a child's nutrition needs expand.

Make Every Bite a Good One

Toddlers are picky eaters. Parents offer many nutritious options that end up on the floor or fed to the dog. It is exhausting inventing one new meal after another in an attempt to find nutritious foods that little ones will eat. It is no wonder that many of us have resorted to peanut butter and hot dogs every day. It isn't a problem to feed a child his favorite foods in order to make sure he gets the calories he needs, but don't stop there. Here are some more ideas for quick, calorie-dense foods to hopefully add to the list of edibles.

Fruit and Vegetable Bites

Avocado - This vegetable is easy to eat and calorie dense. Also, try guacamole if your tot loves to dip.
Frozen Vegetables - Offer them while they are still frozen! It is so quick and easy and frozen bites are fun to eat. There are not a lot of calories here, but frozen vegetables work as a snack when dinner is almost ready.
Onions - Surprisingly, most kids are not turned off by strong flavors. Offer strips of red onion with a creamy dressing for dipping. Guacamole would be a perfect complement.
Fruit in Yogurt - Puree this mixture for a quick and delicious smoothie. Use a full fat yogurt like Mountain High (R).
Berries - Blueberries and raspberries are the perfect size for little mouths. Offer these with slightly sweetened sour cream.

Carbohydrate Bites

Mini Muffins - Make a batch of these on the weekend and put them in the freezer, ready to warm up all week. Add apples, peaches, raisins, whole grains, or even sweet vegetables like corn, peas or sweet potatoes to pack in nutrition. Don't be afraid to reduce the sugar called for in the recipe by as much as half.
Ramen Noodles - Open a package of these dried noodles and break them into small chunks. Kids eat this treat like popcorn, but without the choking hazard. Use just a touch of the salt, if desired, but the texture is the seller.
French Toast Bites - This is something else you can make ahead and freeze for later. Reheat it in the toaster, cut it into sticks or bites and serve with melted butter mixed with honey, syrup or jelly for dipping.
Roasted Potatoes - Cut russet or golden potatoes into eight wedges. Toss them in a bag with oil, salt, garlic and parsley. Bake it a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until they start to bubble and brown. Serve with ketchup. These make a "french fry" with more potato and less oil.

Protein and Dairy Bites

Hard Boiled Eggs - These can be made a few at a time and stored for one week in the refrigerator.
Slow Cooked Meats - Well seasoned roasts and birds can be cooked in the crockpot for delicious, easy to chew protein. Try serving some for breakfast too!
Nuts - Kids this age are not yet qualified to chew nuts, but if you grind them in the blender, they can be added to other foods for an extra dose of protein.
Soft Cheese - Experiment with different kinds of cheese as spread for crackers. Cream cheese is good. Have you tried goat cheese?
Milk Supplements - To add quick nutrition and calories, try mixing something like Carnation (R) Instant Breakfast into milk.

It can be a challenge to continually offer nutritious and diverse foods to toddlers. Keep trying, and one day they will learn to enjoy a wide variety of tastes and textures.