Simple suppers that are nutritious, delicious, and toddler-approved. Dig in!
If cooking one meal for yourself and another for your toddler makes you feel like a short-order cook, take heart: You don’t have to do that. "After the age of 1, kids can eat what the rest of the family eats," says Keri Glassman, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist in New York City and a mom of two. "There’s no need for ‘kid food." Start doing it when they’re young and you’ll make mealtime a lot easier while also expanding their taste buds beyond typical (and sometimes unhealthy) kid-friendly fare! Glassman’s top picks for meals the entire family will love:
Grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce. Kids typically like salmon, and if they are new to it, the sweet sauce is a good intro. You can also try chicken or veggie teriyaki, too.
Grilled chicken Parmesan. A healthy twist on the more rich and decadent traditional version, but kids who like cheese are sure to dive in. Just grill the chicken and top with your favorite tomato sauce and shredded cheese.
Whole-wheat penne with mini turkey meatballs. Whole-wheat pasta is healthier than the white kind, thanks to the fiber it contains. Plus, penne is an easier pasta shape for young children to eat than spaghetti.
Healthy sliders. Make mini patties out of ground turkey, pork, or lean beef and put them on small whole-wheat buns (which automatically make food more fun).
Make-your-own tacos. "My kids really look forward to Taco Tuesdays at our home," says Glassman. Use ground turkey and corn tortillas (not fried!), and put out a variety of veggies for everyone to throw in—such shredded lettuce and carrots, and chopped colored peppers. Mmm!