Top Healthy Indian Dinner Ideas For Toddler(12 to 24 Months)

Should I Ask My Toddler What They Want to Eat?

Involving your munchkin in the food-choice decision-making process can be a positive way to encourage healthy eating habits and foster independence. It is important to remember, however, that toddlers may not always have knowledge or understanding of balanced nutrition. As a result, while providing options is important, it is also critical for you as a parent or caregiver to provide a variety of nutritious options. Here are some ideas for including your toddler in mealtime decisions:

1. Set Boundaries

Allowing toddlers some food freedom fosters independence, but parents must ensure their health by providing nutritious options. Toddlers can be guided to make healthy choices using creative strategies.

2. Balance And Variety

Make healthy eating a priority for growing toddlers by avoiding junk food and cultivating a taste for nutritious options. A well-balanced food is rich in essential proteins, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

3. Let Them Feed Themselves

Encourage toddlers to self-feed. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, allowing them to develop awareness and practice feeding skills on their own.

4. Listen to Your Kid

To avoid pushing food when toddlers are not hungry, pay attention to their hunger and fullness cues. Set regular meal and snack times to help them learn to manage their hunger, and if they don’t eat, offer food again at the next scheduled time.

Important Nutrients to Include in Dinner

Nutrients can be divided into- macro and micronutrients. Macronutrients, which include proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, provide energy and serve important functions. Micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, are required in smaller amounts but play critical roles in overall health. Let’s take a brief look into these different nutrients-

1. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. Fiber and complex carbohydrates promote gut health. Not all carbohydrate sources, however, are equally beneficial to overall health. Dietary carbohydrates come in three main categories- sugars, starches, and fiber. Some high-quality sources of carbohydrates are- legumes (beans and pulses), whole grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fruits (but avoid processed juices).

2. Fat

Fat is an essential nutrient that provides energy, insulation, and aids in vitamin absorption. It contains fatty acids, including omega-3, which are essential for brain health. Fat is required for the proper functioning of every cell in the body. High-quality sources of fats are- oily fish such as trout and mackerel, moderate amounts of full-fat dairy, nuts, vegetable oils, avocado, and seeds.

3. Protein

It is essential for health because it performs essential functions in the body. It is required for cell growth, repair, and the production of important compounds such as hormones and antibodies. A balanced diet must include protein. High-quality sources of proteins are- nuts and seeds, tofu, eggs, legumes, fish, tempeh, beans, and dairy.

Top 10 Healthy Indian Dinner Ideas For Toddlers

Deciding what to prepare for your toddler for dinner can be tricky. Below are some ideas which are wholesome and will provide good nutrition to your little one. Some of the top Indian dinner ideas for toddlers are as follow

1. Vermicelli Upma

Vermicelli is a good source of carbohydrate, which gives the body energy. Including vegetables in the recipe adds protein and vitamins while also supporting your toddler’s physical and mental development. The addition of ghee provides healthy fats that are required for optimal growth. Mixed vegetables promote healthy skin and overall well-being, lowering the risk of obesity.

2. Palak Idli With Chutney

Spinach has numerous health benefits for your baby. Adding it to idli enhances the nutritional value of idli as well. You can add spinach by making a puree, or simply by chopping and adding it. Its high water content naturally keeps toddlers hydrated. Spinach is high in nutrients like iron, calcium, and protein, which help to build strong bones and muscles. Spinach also boosts immunity, aids digestion, and relieves constipation and gas discomfort.

[Read : Idli During Pregnancy]

3. Tomato Rice and Carrot Raita

This kind of raita you can prepare by adding finely chopped or grated carrots to curd. For tomato rice, you can add tomato puree or chopped tomatoes to either boiled rice or cook it with raw rice. Tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves etc. will only enhance the taste. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin K and potassium, as well as an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Carrots are also a good source of vitamin C and fiber, as well as a good source of vitamin A.

[Read : Top 5 Best Vitamin C Rich Foods For Toddlers]

4. Paneer Fried Rice

Fry paneer cubes and add to boiled rice. With this you can add veggies as well. Spices and temperings can be added as per your choice keeping in mind your toddler’s palate and taste. Paneer fried rice is a nutritious option for toddlers due to its combination of protein from paneer, essential for muscle and bone development, and carbohydrates from rice, providing sustained energy.

5. Chole and Jeera Rice 

You can prepare chole by using boiled chickpeas and spices. You can also add onions and tomatoes etc for added flavor. Chickpeas (Chole) are a high-protein food that also contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For jeera rice, cumin is added as a tempering to the rice and cooked along with salt and coriander. Rice is good for a toddler as it promotes healthy weight management, supplies essential nutrients for growth and development, and aids in constipation prevention.

6. Coconut Rice

Coconut in grated or chopped form can be added to the boiled rice and to increase nutrient value you can add vegetables or nuts. Coconuts are high in fiber content, vitamins and minerals. Coconut rice is abundant in magnesium, which promotes bone and tooth growth, and phosphorus, which promotes healthy teeth and bones.

[Read : Top 5 Best Fiber Rich Foods For Toddlers]

7. Beetroot Rice

This is a colorful rice that will attract your toddler because of its red color. Beetroot can be added in puree form or grated form to rice and mix well to prepare this recipe. Beetroot is high in iron, vitamin A, E, K, and B complex. It also contains potassium, copper, magnesium, and manganese, as well as powerful antioxidants also high in fiber, which aids digestion and treats anemia.

8. Rajma Chawal

The famous north Indian dish needs no introduction. It is a very nutritious dish which is prepared by boiling rajma or kidney beans. This boiled rajma is then made into a curry by adding tempering of onion, tomatoes, spices etc. Chawal or rice you can cook separately by boiling or making a pulao. When eaten together, rajma chawal is a wholesome meal. Rajma is high in fiber and protein. Kidney beans also aid brain development in toddlers.

9. Mixed Vegetable Paratha and Boondi Raita

Vegetable paratha can be prepared by using wheat dough and different vegetables like peas, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots etc. You can make a puree out of them and then knead it in the dough to make colorful parathas. Or, you can stuff the mixed vegetables of your toddler’s choice along with salt and spices and make parathas.

This dish contains a variety of nutrients and antioxidants which provide instant energy. Using cow ghee or clarified butter will provide the essential fats. The raita made from curd and boondi (savory balls made from gram flour) is high in calcium and protein, which promotes bone and muscle development, immunity, digestion, and skin and eye health.

10. Palak Thepla With Jeera Aloo

This is a Gujarati dish but anyone can have this food. Palak or spinach puree or chopped palak can be used to prepare thepla. Spinach is a high source of essential vitamins and minerals, and whole wheat flour aids digestion and prevents constipation as it has fiber. Jeera aloo is a simple dish made by adding potatoes or aloo to a tempering of jeera or cumin and cooked along with salt and other spices.

These top ten healthy Indian dinner ideas for toddlers provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce diverse flavors, and essential nutrients, and foster a love of wholesome food for your 2-year-old. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to provide a balanced diet and support your kid’s growth and development. By incorporating these nutritious meals into your toddler’s dinner routine, you can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

FAQ’s

1. How Much Should a 2-Year-Old Eat For Dinner?

By the age of 2, it is recommended that kids have three main meals and two to three snacks per day, with each meal or snack spaced about 2-3 hours apart. If you are still breastfeeding your toddler, you can consider incorporating breastfeeding sessions during or following these designated eating times.

2. Why Should Toddlers Not Eat Fried Food?

Fried food is not good for anyone, let alone toddlers and kids. Although your little one will like the flavor of fried food, it is often high in calories and trans fats. Your toddler can consume little amounts of fried food occasionally. But, if given regularly and in excess, it can affect your kid’s health. It can result in several medical diseases including obesity (which increases the risk of high cholesterol, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in the long run), digestive problems, and potentially heart disease.

Read Also: Top Healthy Indian Lunch Ideas For Toddlers(12 to 24 Months)