Beyond Bananas: Ten Healthy Finger Foods for Your Baby or Toddler

Help your child develop healthy eating habits for life by making his first experiences with table food delicious and nutritious. Cheerios are great, but feeding your toddler a varied diet can help him learn to love new tastes and textures. New foods should always be introduced one at a time for a few consecutive days so that if your child has an allergic reaction the culprit can be identified.

1. Melon

Nothing says summer like a huge, dripping slice of watermelon. It is an ideal finger food for babies and toddlers because it is soft and breaks apart easily, not to mention naturally sweet and delicious. Your child may also enjoy honeydew and cantaloupe.

2. Avocado

Avocado is full of healthy fats which are vital for baby's brain development. It purees nicely for babies just starting solid foods, but can also be cut up into bite size pieces for the little one who is ready to feed himself. According to the California Avocado Commission, an avocado is ripe when you squeeze it and it is firm yet giving. If you pick an avocado that isn't ripe, place it in a paper bag at room temperature and it should be ready within 2-5 days.

3. Scrambled Egg Yolk

Because of allergies, egg whites are not recommended for babies under a year. Instead, try egg yolks. They contain folate and lutein and are a good source of protein. Scramble one or two in butter or olive oil and throw in some diced green pepper or other veggies for added nutrition. Another option: dip whole wheat bread in scrambled egg yolk and cook for a tasty version of french toast.

4. Spinach Balls

Thanks to my friend Kim K., who passed this yummy, healthy recipe onto me:

10 ounce bag of baby spinach
four pieces of wheat bread
one tablespoon Italian seasoning (may substitute Italian flavored bread crumbs)
1/2 block of firm tofu
4 egg yolks

Whirl bread and seasoning in a food processor until it is a bread crumb consistency. Remove to a small bowl. Process spinach in batches until chopped and remove to a bigger bowl. Process tofu until it is smooth, then add to spinach along with the egg yolks and one cup of bread crumb mixture. Mix well, and form into small balls. Once formed, roll each spinach ball in the remaining bread crumb mixture and place in a baking dish sprayed with non-stickcooking spray. Spray the spinach balls with cooking spray and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

5. Kidney or Pinto Beans

Beans, beans the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you... You know how it goes, and you're probably thinking your toddler doesn't need any help in that department. But considering that beans have a lot of healthy protein and fiber and conveniently come toddler-sized, they make a great finger food. Our little guy enjoys eating halved beans cooked in chili or soups.

6. Cucumber

Delicious dipped in ranch dressing or enjoyed alone, cucumbers are just plain tasty. Classified as a fruit, they are a good source of Vitamin C and potassium. Choose a cucumber that has a bright to medium green skin and store it in the fridge where it will keep for several days.

7. Ravioli

Our grocery store sells a brand of frozen ravioli that is made with no preservatives and isn't full of sodium like the canned varieties. They are stuffed with a cheese blend, but there is also a spinach and cheese variety. You can pull out as few or many ravioli as you need. The best part is that it takes less than five minutes to microwave and cut them into appropriately sized pieces. Quick and easy!

8. Beef Stew

Whatever recipe you love, beef stew is the perfect dinner to share with your toddler. It's almost always made with a wide variety of vegetables and lean cuts of beef. The meat and veggies cook down until they're nice and soft, perfect for the toothless wonders out there.

9. Blueberries

Not only are blueberries sweet and delicious, they are crammed full of antioxidants and fiber. Sliced in half, they are the perfect size for tiny fingers practicing a pincer grasp. Blueberries can be a bit pricey in the winter months, but if they grow near you, they can be picked in the summer for next to nothing and frozen for year-round enjoyment. According to the US Highbush Blueberry Council, North America supplies 90% of the world's production, so get out there and pick them!

10. Cheese and Chicken Quesadilla

If you have leftover chicken breast, chop or shred it until it is a fine enough consistency for your little one to handle. Place some on a tortilla, sprinkle with a little bit of cheese, and cover with another tortilla. Heat in a skillet until tortillas are browned and cheese is gooey. Using a sharp knife, cut quesadilla into bite size pieces and serve.

Baby food companies and commercials would like you to believe that convenience foods ladled with sodium and preservatives are the quickest, easiest way to feed your baby or toddler. Preparing wholesome food takes only a few extra minutes of preparation, but your child will reap the benefits for a lifetime.