Lunchtime!
Author: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
If there is one thing you can count on with your toddler, it is that they are unpredictable. Just when you think they are happy, they may burst into tears. When they are tired, they keep going and going and going. And as for when they will be hungry, who knows?
Some days you may find your wee one eating and eating and eating. Other days, you may think they are surviving on air alone.
With every day an adventure, it may be wise to always be ready with a snack - or even a meal. When your toddler is ready to eat, you can be ready too!
After all, what's more fun than a hungry and cranky toddler?
Oh, yes, lots of things.
When you are heading out and about, the last thing you need to be worrying about is refrigeration for your toddler's lunch. After all, most of us consider just getting out of the house a success, let alone worrying about packing one more thing!
If you are looking for some easy alternatives for lunchtime that are also healthy, toddler-friendly, and won't need long-term refrigeration, here are some easy food solutions:
- Cheese - cubes, slices, or sticks
- Cooked beans (served at room temperature) such as green beans, peas, chick-peas, and/or black beans
- Fruit (cut in slices as needed) such as apples, bananas, berries, pears, peaches, etc.
- Mini-muffins
- Raw vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and green or red peppers (cut up in appropriate toddler bites)
- Water - if you are concerned about the heat turning milk bad, choose water - it's a simple and healthy alternative (vs. juice)
- Whole-grain crackers, pretzels, and/or breads
Once given the "green light" from your pediatrician that your child can have peanut butter, a good old peanut butter and jelly sandwich can provide the perfect, non-refrigerated, lunch. Peanut butter also provides a wonderful "sweet treat" topping for apples or bananas.
Don't forget the wipes when you are packing a lunch to go. After all, even though these foods are easy, toddler-friendly, and don't require long-term refrigeration, it doesn't mean they won't be messy!
Bon appetit!
