The biggest problem mothers face is making healthy dishes for their toddlers. Toddlers are sometimes very selective eaters. It requires time to build taste and make them habitual of different flavors. Hence, it is crucial to add a variety of healthy Indian lunch ideas for toddlers so that fussy eaters do not miss on nutrients. That is why making nutritious yet delicious dishes can be challenging for mothers.
So, if you are also struggling with a picky eater, and are at your wit’s end as to what to give them so they eat, look no further. You will find some healthy Indian lunch ideas for toddlers in this article. Each lunch idea has been selected considering toddlers’ nutrition requirements.
In This Article
- What Should a Toddler Be Eating For Lunch?
- Should I Ask My Toddler What They Want to Eat?
- Important Nutrients to Include in Lunch
- Top 10 Healthy Indian Lunch Ideas For Toddlers
- FAQ’s
What Should a Toddler be Eating For Lunch?
A toddler’s lunch should include dietary carbohydrates, vital vitamins and other essential nutrients. An easy lunch hack for toddlers includes a vegetable sandwich, boiled eggs, dal rice, and green vegetable stir fry. You can also add some berries and fresh fruits as desserts to complete the lunch. Easy to digest foods like idli, vegetable rice, are also a good option for healthy Indian lunch ideas.
Should I Ask My Toddler What They Want to Eat?
No, you should not ask your toddler what they want to eat. Your little one may show some fancy dishes that are not nutritious, or chances are that they become a selective eater. As a parent, you must prepare healthy meals for your toddler and cook dishes according to the nutritional requirement of toddlers. Always encourage them to eat properly and build good eating habits.
Important Nutrients to Include in Lunch
Lunch is the second biggest meal of the day after breakfast. It should be rich in good fat, protein, essential carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. Below are some crucial proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that should be included in your toddler’s lunch.
1. Protein
Lean protein is essential to repair cells, tissues and build muscles. Add lean protein sources, such as yogurt, beans, pulses, meat, and nuts, to toddler lunch.
2. Carbohydrates
Carbs are good sources of energy. Therefore, add starchy vegetables to your toddler’s lunch such as pumpkin, beans, rice, and potato.
3. Iron
Iron is needed for the synthesis of cells and blood. Moreover, iron also helps to improve immunity, develop cells, and heal the wound faster. You can include whole grain, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and fish in lunch as they are rich in iron.
[Read : Top 5 Best Iron-Rich Foods For Toddlers]
4. Fat
It is essential to protect body organs and acts as stored energy. Add coconut oil, butter, meat, and dairy products to a toddler’s diet, as they are good sources of fat.
Top 10 Healthy Indian Lunch Ideas For Toddlers
Indian food has a lot of variety to offer. But when it comes to toddlers, it’s a struggle to find dishes which they will eat easily. To make it easy for you, here are some delicious and interesting kid-friendly healthy Indian lunch ideas for toddlers that you can try
1. Vegetable Pasta
Mixed vegetable pasta is an excellent lunch idea for your tiny tot. You can use boiled semolina or wheat macaroni and add boiled vegetables, including corn, peas, capsicum, carrots, etc. Stir them with salt and homemade pasta sauce. To enhance it further, you can add some mozzarella cheese as well. Your toddler will like it for sure.
2. Pineapple Fried Rice With Popadam
Pineapple is rich in Vitamin C, magnesium, and enzymes. You can finely chop pineapple, add veggies, and stir fry it with boiled rice. Serve it hot to your toddler with a side of popadam.
3. Corn Spinach Rice With Yogurt
Corn is a good source of carbohydrates, and spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A and iron. You can prepare delicious corn-spinach rice and serve it with yogurt to your kid. This is a nutritionally well-balanced meal for the toddler.
4. Paneer Bhurji And Carom Seeds Paratha
Paneer or cottage cheese is a good source of fat and vital carbohydrates. On the other hand, carom seed (ajwain) is rich in protein, fats, minerals, and fiber. This helps to improve digestion. You can knead a soft wheat flour dough with carom seeds and make paratha (an Indian pancake) for your toddler. Make bhurji with crushed paneer and add some salt and spices. Serve it with cucumber and carrot salad.
[Read : Top 5 Best Fiber Rich Foods For Toddlers]
5. Mushroom Biryani With Yogurt
Mushrooms and yogurt are good sources of protein for toddlers. Cook mushrooms with spices and rice to make a delicious biryani. Add less spices for your toddler and serve it with plain yogurt and salad.
6. Corn Spinach Sandwich
Corn and spinach sandwiches are a good source of protein and essential carbohydrates. Use blanched spinach to prepare a grilled sandwich. Add cheese and boiled corn kernels to add some flavor. Ensure to add some mild herbs and salt. Also instead of regular mayonnaise you can use hung curd in a grilled sandwich. Give some dry fruits with a sandwich to make it wholesome.
7. Paneer Uttapam
Paneer uttapam is another delicious recipe for a toddler’s lunch. You can add vegetables of your choice, including carrots, beans, corn, and paneer, to make them more delicious.
8. Methi Paratha With Pomegranate Salad
Methi or fenugreek leaves paratha is another good choice for toddlers. Add kneaded dough with finely chopped fenugreek leaves or grind it into a thin paste to make dough. Add carom seeds and salt according to taste and cook a delicious paratha. Serve it with pomegranate salad and some dates.
9. Chana and Rice
Chana and rice are, again, a delicious lunch idea for toddlers. Prepare it with mild spices such as cumin seeds and asafetida to make it easily digestible for the kids. Stir fry cumin seeds and prepare boiled rice. Serve chana and rice for your toddlers with curd and salad.
10. Vegetable Idli and Coconut Chutney
Mix some chopped veggies such as carrots, beans, peas, onions, and corn in idli batter and cook it. Serve it with coconut chutney for lunch. You can also serve it with peanut chutney.
Preparing meals for toddlers will not appear overwhelming when you try these healthy Indian lunch ideas. Sometimes your toddler may love to eat this delicious stuff, but at times, they may refuse it as well. It’s alright! Each toddler has their own taste, so keep trying the lunch ideas mentioned above and you are bound to see some success. Always start with small meals and then move to big meals so they develop the taste to eat healthy stuff. Don’t forget to try different food combinations and delight your kids with different ideas.
FAQ’s
1. How Much Should a 2-Year-Old Eat For Breakfast?
Every day, a toddler should eat around 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day. Add small meals multiple times a day so your toddlers remain full.
2. What Food is Good For Toddler Brain Development?
Seafood, eggs, beans, green leafy vegetables, nuts, yogurt, and seeds are some of the best foods for the toddler’s brain development.
Read Also: Top Healthy Drinks For Toddlers(12 to 24 Months)
