5 Healthy Breakfasts for Babies and Toddlers

It’s crazy to think that Tommy is almost a year and a half. A toddler! Today he’s super excited to share his favorite healthy breakfasts with everyone. This is the most important time to get the kiddos used to different flavors and textures so I like to serve a variety of fresh foods throughout the week. The best part is that you can save the rest for yourself as they are “adult-friendly” just as much as “kid-friendly”.

General Notes

Fruit- I typically do 2 fruit servings per day for Tommy and one of them is in the morning. (The other usually mid day when we’re out and fruit becomes a nice convenience food) so you’ll see I have fruit in almost all of the meals below. Every fruit provides a different nutrition profile so variety is key. Always look for fruits and vegetables in season, and feel free to grab organic frozen fruits or veggies for things like smoothies. They’re picked at their prime so will pack lots of good punch.

Nutrition-Everything I make is mostly gluten free, no added sugars, and full of as many vitamins & minerals as possible. I also use small amounts of sea salt for its flavor and mineral content. My picks are Celtic or Pink Himalayan. Cinnamon is excellent for blood sugar stabilization, and banana or dates (date paste) are great for sweetening just about anything.  

Easy as possible with lots of leftovers- I have definitely found that keeping your child healthy means some days you feel like you’re always cooking. Go easy on yourself and try to keep meals relatively simple so the whole day isn’t spent in the kitchen.

Milk & Dairy- I serve small abouts of full fat, organic yogurt (or coconut yogurt) and grass fed/pasture cheese, (or cashew cheese) 1-2 times per day so there’s really no need for cow’s milk which really doesn’t provide much nutrition, contributes to allergies, and provides unnecessary calories that should be in the form of food. The milks I use are either almond, cashew, or coconut milk in any recipe. I often make my own milk using raw almonds and raw cashews. Follow the steps to try it here. If you’re not feeling that at the moment go ahead and purchase it, just look for unsweetened with very few ingredients.

Go Fresh- Using as little packages as possible means yay for more fresh fruits & veggies.  If you can’t buy everything organic, at least check out the EWG’s (environmental working group) website for the dirty dozen, (conventional foods that are most polluted/toxic). Strawberries, grapes, spinach, and apples are usually on the list so grab their organic versions. 
 

5 Nutrition Packed Baby/Toddler Breakfasts:

Buddha’s Buckwheat Cereal (basically gluten free cream of wheat)

I always make the 4 serving option, then store the rest in the fridge so breakfast is ready a couple days in a row. I then just toss the leftovers in a sauce-pan and stir the clumps with my milk of choice. I sometimes cut up the lumpy ones and put it on his tray (sounds gross I know but Tommy loves it as a finger food)

Buckwheat Hot cereal  (here is the kind I use)
Milk of choice
½ tsp cinnamon
½ organic apple chopped finely
1 tsp turmeric extract  or powdered turmeric
Pinch sea salt

Prepare according to package directions,. I usually use ½ water and ½ coconut or almond milk. Then add the cinnamon and turmeric & either mash the apple finely into it and feed with a spoon, or put the fruit on the side for him to eat with his hands and spoon feed the rest. We like to try to eat with the spoon by ourselves and if it gets too messy, mom takes over. On good days, we just say what the hell. ;)

Grain-free Mini Pancakes-

Sort of like little mini paleo pancakes, these have such a natural sweetness that you don’t need syrup, butter, or anything else. Those little taste buds really don’t need much more than that. Make extra to serve tomorrow. Just keep them wrapped tightly in fridge.

1.5 ripe banana mashed  (can also use ¾ cup mashed sweet potato or squash)
2 pastured eggs beaten (or grass fed/organic)
½ tsp cinnamon
1-2 tbsp gluten free oats or coconut flour (optional)
1 tbsp coconut oil

Combine banana, eggs, & cinnamon in medium bowl. You can also use blender to incorporate. If you like more texture or consistency, blend in the oats, likewise if you like them to be a bit thicker, try adding the coconut flour. Melt coconut oil on griddle pan and pour mixture in tablespoon sized portions onto pan. Flip when bubbles come to the top. When cooled a bit, break into bite size pieces for your little one, (and sneak a few yourself)

Though he’s already getting a serving of fruit in the pancakes, I often add another fresh fruit, ie berries, kiwi, or pineapple on the side.

Elderberry Super Oats (get the gluten free version if you like)

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats are perfect for an easy toddler breakfast. Also great to use in homemade granola, cookies, or muffins.

Gluten free oats such as Bob’s Red Mill ( I met him, he’s really nice and totally looks like the guy on the bag)
1 pinch sea salt
Water or milk
1 tsp elderberry syrup
Handful mixed berries

Prepare according to package directions, (Make extra servings to keep for tomorrow!) Then I drizzle in 1 tsp liquid elderberry and mix into the oatmeal. It tastes delicious and adds a nice immune system boost. For the berries, I either mix them into the cereal or put on the side for extra entertainment. 

Sunrise Smoothie-

This sunrise smoothie is like a little multi vitamin for toddlers. Packed with superfoods and whole food nutrition, and very simple to make.

You can also use this as a snack and serve it when you’re on the go in reusable pouches. I use smoothies when I feel we’re in need of some concentrated nutrition (ie immune system is low, we’re about to travel, or there’s lots of germs in close proximity/flu season). This way I can add my powdered superfoods. ie calcium lactate powder and sp complete. (1 scoop dairy free) If I am adding protein powder or other additions for myself, I blend Tommy’s first, then add my stuff.

But for the simple version of this shake:
1 cup organic frozen fruit of choice (strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, peach, mango, banana, cherry, etc)
½ cup organic plain yogurt (or coconut yogurt)
1 tsp nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew)
Milk of choice, or coconut water to liquify (2 tbsp-⅓ cup depending on how thick you like if you're looking to sneak in some veggies, check out T-bones' green shake recipe. 

Egg Scramble- (For egg-free or vegan version, try silken tofu in place of the eggs and skip the milk)

This egg scramble is my favorite way to sneak in veggies for my toddler. It's very colorful, and quite doable for lunch or dinner as well.

This is a great place to sneak in veggies. My rule for adult clients is a 3 veg minimum, so why should kids be any different. Save the leftovers for lunch, they keep pretty well. Feel free to play with different seasonings. Ie, a touch of cumin or curry powder will introduce new exciting flavors.

1-2 cups fresh veggies: Spinach, peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli
½-1 tbsp pasture butter or coconut oil
3 pastured eggs beaten with 1-2 tbsp milk of choice
1 oz pastured cheese such as Kerry Gold or cashew cheese
Pinch sea salt & pepper

Melt the butter or coconut oil in a medium skillet and toss in the veggies, (3-5 minutes). At this point, if I’m making a big batch for all of us, I will take some veggies out and put aside for us while I let Tommy’s cook another minute or two. Then add eggs and stir slowly til they begin to cook. Finally fold in the cheese until melted through.

Summer Yogurt parfait-

This version of the summer yogurt parfait has a very light dusting of chia seeds. A great superfood addition to a healthy toddler breakfast.

This protein packed breakfast gives you the benefits of the nuts but they’re a bit easier to chew and digest when they’re in a softer form. The picture above subs with chia seeds. 

4 oz full fat organic plain yogurt
1-2 tsp almond meal
½ cup chopped peaches, plums, or berries
Pinch of ginger or cinnamon,

You can purchase almond meal (it's a very fine grain) or make it yourself by taking a handful of nuts and pulsing in food processor til they crumble a bit. If you do take the plunge and want to make almond milk, the residue that’s left behind is perfect to use!

You may also use chia seeds but keep in mind when you serve chia to get in lots of water through the day as chia absorbs a lot of it in the belly and never serve chia if your child is dehydrated.

Stir ingredients together in a bowl. You can also make this the night before and wait til morning to stir. 

Bonus thought Leftovers from dinner!

No one ever said you have to have breakfast foods for breakfast. I find Tommy is hungriest in the morning, so it’s the perfect time to bring out the vegetables that he wasn’t too excited about the night before.

Lunch, dinner, & snack ideas coming soon!

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