13 to 16 old babies feeding and food ideas

To understand baby’s needs is a requirement for every mother, especially when their little one is just a year old. Providing your toddler with the right meal and nutrition is something that will enhance his body and mind. For many parents, this is a challenge as some babies keep refusing to eat and at times parents are not sure what to feed their toddlers. So here are a few diet plans, tips and food options you can follow.

Best Foods for a Baby/Toddler at this Age

During this period of time, your toddler will be able to start eating certain solid food. So it is important to pick healthy and rich food to help him grow and stay healthy. However, make sure that you are not overfeeding him. Some healthy options are listed below:

1. Fruits

Cut fruits into small pieces as this helps your child to pick it up and eat them easily. One thing to note is that fruits should be tiny and chewy. Otherwise, it can choke the baby. For instance, you should cut grapes into pieces rather than serving whole grapes as it can cause choking.

2. Milk

Milk is a must for every toddler. It’s highly nutritious and helps the child’s growth mentally and physically. If you are breastfeeding your baby or if you are giving him cow’s milk, just be sure that you don’t fill his stomach. This will reduce his appetite, and he will not feel like eating solid food.

3. Vegetable

By this time, your toddler can have most vegetables except for a few like broccoli and cauliflower. However, you can give them these by chopping off the stem and mashing it a little bit. Other vegetables are a healthy option and can be given to them as snacks. You can make them into pieces and give it to them to munch on through the day. A couple of favourite vegetables are mashed potatoes and carrots.

4. Meat

White meat is a great protein source for your toddler. You can cook it and shred it really well to feed your toddler. Meat is an energy booster and keeps your child going through the day. Meat is a great 15 months’ baby food as this is the time when the child becomes extremely active and energetic.

5. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a highly rich food option to give your toddler. Usually, yoghurt is safe for children from the time they turn 6 to 7 months. This dairy product is full of nutrients and is also a tasty option for your child.

6. Nuts

Often parents panic at the thought of giving their baby nuts simply because cases of nut allergies is quite high. Well, if your child is not allergic to nuts, you can start feeding him right from the beginning, when you start with solid food.

7. Grains

A healthy amount of grains for your toddler is 3 ounces per day. This can be provided in

- 1 whole-grain mini bagel.
- 1 slice whole-grain bread.
- 7 refined grain crackers.
- 1/2 English Muffin.
- 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal.

8. Beans

Beans is again a healthy snack option for a 14 months’ baby food. One option that most babies tend to like is kidney beans. Three tablespoons of Kidney beans can be given in a day. Kidney beans have the right amount of calorie and no fat, and this is a great source of nutrient for your child.

Homemade Food Recipes for 13 to 16 Months Old:

Homemade recipes are healthy and wholesome for your toddler. Healthy habits will go a long way for your child. So here are some healthy homemade food recipes you can try.

1. Ragi Idli

(This is a healthy food for 16 months old Indian baby. It’s quite easy to prepare as well.)

Ingredients for 10 Idlis

Idli batter (fermented) – 2 cups
Ragi flour – ½ cup
Oil – 1 tbsp
Warm water – 1/4 cup + 2tbsp
Salt to taste

How to Prepare

1.Mix the flour with warm water in a bowl and make it a thick paste.

2.Once the paste is thick, mix it with idli batter and add a little salt.
Stir it gently.

3.Keep it aside for 20 minutes and allow the flour to absorb the batter.

4.Meanwhile, boil the water in a steamer and oil the plates.

5. Pour the batter into the moulds.
Put the idli stand into the steamer and allow it to steam for 10 minutes.

6.Serve it warm.

2. Purple Puree

Ingredients for 2 ½ Cups

Blueberries (puree) – 1 1/2 cups
Spinach – 2 frozen
Lemon juice – 1/2 tsp
Water – 2 tbsp

How to Prepare

1.Take spinach in a pan and pour some water.
Boil it and allow it to simmer for 6 to7 minutes.

2.Drain the water.

3.Prepare a puree of spinach, blueberry, water, and lemon juice.

4. Make sure the texture is smooth

3. Whole-Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients for 12 Servings (for Baby)

Butter – 3 tbsp
Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
All-purpose flour – ¾ cup
Wheat flour – ¾ cup
Sugar – 3 tbsp
Baking powder – 1 ½ tsp
Baking soda – ½ tsp
Egg – 1
Low-fat buttermilk – 1 ½ cup
Egg white – 1
Maple syrup – ¾ cup
Cooking spray
Salt to taste

How to Prepare

1. Mix flour, baking soda sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

2. While whisking add buttermilk, oil, egg, and egg whites in a bowl.

3. Add the mixture to the flour mixture.

4. Stir well.

5. Take a nonstick griddle and apply cooking spray over medium heat.

6. Spoon around one big scoop of the mix onto the griddle for one tiny pancake

7. Turn over the pancakes when you see it being cooked

8. Serve it with syrup and butter.

4. Fiesta Bowl for Toddlers

Ingredients

Cooked organic brown rice – 2 cups
Organic canned black beans, well rinsed – 1 can
Organic corn – 1 cup
Organic red pepper, finely chopped – 1 cup
Organic avocado, cut into small sections – 1
Olive oil or butter – 1 tbsp
Big handful cilantro
One lime juice
Tomatoes – 1 cut out into small pieces

You can top with favourite salsa optional
Cheddar cheese/plain yoghurt – optional
Pumpkin seeds
Ground turkey, chicken beef or tofu and flavour with some spices

How to Prepare

You can personalize this dish based on what your baby enjoys to eat.
You can even make it fun by allowing your child to prepare her bowl.