Children's dietitian Angharad Banner has helped us to come up with some easy, cheap and nutritious breakfast ideas you can make with toddlers. Why not try these for yourself? Or for a seriously special occasion like Mother's Day, you could even make a whole spread for you and your family!
Berry overnight oats
Suitable for 6 months+, serves 4-6 depending on age/appetite of children
You will need:
- 4 cups fruit (strawberries / blueberries / raspberries)
- 2 cups oats
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups greek style yoghurt
- 4 empty jam jars or glasses
- Slice the fruit into bite size-pieces. If you have younger children or babies, cut into smaller pieces or pass the fruit through a sieve so you have a puree
- In each empty jam jar or glass, add ½ cup of oats and then pour over ½ cup of milk and stir.
- Layer the yogurt and fruit until the jars or glasses are full
- Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours
This dish provides a great balance of fibre, protein, calcium and vitamin C.
Knowing breakfast is already made the night before is also quite satisfying!
Milk and yogurt alternatives can be used if you need a dairy-free recipe.
Banana and nut butter wraps
Suitable for 8 months+, serves 4-5 dependent on age/appetite
You will need:
- 2 bananas
- 4 wraps
- 4 tsp butter
- 8 tsp smooth nut butter (peanut / cashew / almond)
- Slice the bananas or mash them for babies and small children
- Spread 1 tsp butter evenly over each wrap followed by 2 tsp nut butter
- If you are using a cashew or almond butter, mix with a little water to make it easier to spread
- Add the sliced or mashed banana to the wrap (1/2 banana per wrap) and roll it tightly
- Slice into 1-inch pieces or smaller if giving to babies and younger children
Why not let little ones have a go at spreading the butters? It can take a little time, but it's great for practicing their fine motor skills. Speak to them about the 'smooth' texture and 'nutty' taste as they spread.
The nut butter provides protein, fibre and healthy fats which are all important for growing children and busy parents.
Bagels with hazelnut spread and fruit
Suitable for 12 months+, serves 4-5 dependent on age/appetite
You will need:
- 2 - 3 bagels
- 4 - 6 tsp hazelnut spread
- 1 - 2 cups fruit (strawberries / blueberries / raspberries / banana / kiwi / oranges)
- Slice the bagels in half (or half and half again for smaller children) and pop in the toaster
- Spread 1 tsp hazelnut spread evenly over each slice
- Top with sliced fruit. For smaller children, press the fruit through a sieve to form a puree and spread over the top
This is another great recipe to get small hands using their fine motor skills spreading the hazelnut spread and arranging the fruit on top of the bagels. It can get a bit messy but it's loads of fun. Name the different fruits you're using and the different colours and shapes with toddlers - isn't a raspberry 'bobbly'?
View this one as a bit of a treat as it is quite high in sugar, but a way of getting protein and fruit into children's diets too.
