A friend asked me the other day, “What do you feed your boys?” Both of us being Mothers of a toddler and a preschooler, she is struggling with getting her toddler to eat anything other than meat. I, on the other hand, can’t keep up with my toddler’s (Brayden’s) demand for fruits and vegetables (not that that’s such a bad thing, I just have a hard time getting enough protein in him – and Zackery for that matter – to keep their little tummies full).

I began listing off all the things I’ve offered for meal times and snack, to both my boys. To my amazement, the list was quite long! I must admit they don’t always enjoy eating what is put in front of them, but I try my best to mix it up.

Zackery is pretty good about trying new things, and he really is the only 4-year-old (this I still can’t believe) I know that asks for artichoke and refuses a hot dog. Brayden is at the stage where he wants to do it all himself. I am always trying to find new foods I can give him that he can hold himself, take a bite, and not end up choking on. His favorite thing to eat right now is frozen peas (I think it feels good on those teething gums), but he did very much enjoy a couple of ritz crackers today at snack.  

What foods or snacks do your toddlers and preschoolers enjoy? Any suggestions on quick, easy, kid-friendly ways to get them to eat protein? I look forward to getting some comments!