100 foods for your toddler to try before they turn 3

After the initial anxieties over weaning and gradual introduction of new flavours and textures over months and months, my girls are now at the point where they eat pretty much what we do. I’m still pretty strict about sugar and salt and keep these types of treats to a minimum but now almost everything is an option.

This got me thinking about all the foods my girls have now tried  and so I’ve complied a list of 100 foods for toddlers to try before they turn three. A quick disclaimer, I’m no nutritionist and clearly you will know best what your child can or can’t eat. In our house, we offer lots of fruit and vegetables and I believe, because of this, they have a really balanced diet with all food groups eaten in moderation.

Below you’ll find a whole range of foods including some that could cause a choking hazard to babies and younger toddlers. Once your child is a competent chewer, these could be introduced but parents must ensure that distractions are avoided and children know they need to chew carefully.

Foods for toddlers

Fruit and Veg

  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Bananas
  • Melon
  • Pear
  • Apricot
  • Plums
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Watermelon
  • Pineapple
  • Grapes
  • Avocado
  • Mango
  • Papaya
  • Pomegranate
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Corn on the cob
  • Baby sweet corn
  • Pepper
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Mushrooms
  • Potatoes
  • Swede
  • Aubergine

Meat and Fish

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Gammon
  • Cod
  • Salmon
  • Seabass
  • Tuna
  • Mince
  • Sausages
  • Cured meat
  • Bratwurst
  • Bacon

Dairy

  • Yoghurt pots
  • Squeezy yoghurt
  • Cheddar
  • Mozzarella
  • Cream cheese
  • Squirty cream
  • Single/double cream
  • Butter
  • Eggs (scrambled, boiled, omelette)

Tinned foods

  • Baked beans
  • Spaghetti
  • Chickpeas
  • Pasta shapes
  • Peanut butter
IMG_2836

Dries goods

  • Fusilli
  • Spaghetti
  • Filled pasta
  • Rice
  • Cous cous
  • Risotto
  • Dried fruit
  • Crumpets
  • Muffins
  • Rice cakes
  • Porridge
IMG_2978

Treats

  • Ice cream
  • Chocolate
  • Sponge cake
  • Biscuits
  • Crisps
  • Maltloaf
  • Peanuts
  • Cashews
  • Ice pole
  • Marshmallows
  • Croissants
  • Olives

Drinks

  • Milkshake
  • Hot chocolate
  • Herbal tea
  • Fruit smoothies,

International flavours

  • Curry
  • Naan
  • Bharji
  • Noodles/chow mein
  • Black bean
  • Satay
  • Spring rolls
  • Refried beans
  • Salsa
  • Pizza
  • Hummus
  • Falafel

I’m sure I’ve missed loads but it was amazing how quickly this list spilled out of me. What foods do your toddlers enjoy?

If you enjoyed this, why not read 100 life experiences before starting school.

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There are so many great foods to introduce to little ones. Even if they're not keen initially, keep introducing new foods.

50 thoughts on “100 foods for your toddler to try before they turn 3

  1. This list is perfect for me! I’m always wracking my brains thinking of what new things to give them, I’m pinning for future reference! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx

  2. this is a helpful post 🙂 i hope my little one will be able to try all of what’s listed here.

  3. we were so much more adventurous with the twins in regards to food. Honestly I wish I could go back and redo the first two kids’ palates.
    #blogstravaganza

    1. Like I said, them being twins has helped me keep trying stuff as there is less likely to be waste as one should hopefully like it

  4. Great post-I worried I’d read it and think arghhh I never did any of these! But I did the majority and its super helpful for those struggling to choose what to feed the kids!

    #PostsFromTheHeart

  5. Great list! Although the worrier in me is compelled to mention that marshmallows, particularly the mini ones, are actually a major choking hazard – if inhaled there is pretty much no way of getting them out because they’re so light. Also obviously peanuts and cashews need to be chopped. Sorry to preach!

    1. I did wonder whether to include but they are new tastes my girls have enjoyed so I added the disclaimer.

  6. I think it’s great to make lists like this so we can be intentional about making sure our kids try different things rather than just giving them the same foods over and over. Thanks. #TriumphantTales

    1. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and I’m as guilty as the next parent if giving cheese sandwiches multiple times a week

  7. Great lists! I agree, trying lots of different things all the time is a good way to introduce kids to new flavours and textures. #HumpDayLinky

  8. Love this, what a brilliant long list! We all need the inspo! x

  9. Great list! I was an obsessive weaning my boys, I had lists and checked off as they tried them. I now have 2 amazing eaters so it was worth it! Olives, tinned sardines and anything with big flavour. They both loved a good curry and weirdly, they both loved chewing on octopus tenticles!!!!!!

    1. Sounds like you’ve got a couple of foodies on your hand. Shame the kids menus at most places just offer beige food

      1. Children’s menu’s are awful! We live overseas in Tanzania and one of the best parts is that there is no option of processed foods. I’m so glad about it, but I am literally forced to home cook everything. When we visit the Uk my 5 year old usually just has to choose something from the adults menu, luckily he can clear a huge plate haha!

        1. With twins there is less waste…pretty soon,I’m hoping they’ll just order an adult meal to share. That’s if we can convince them to have the same meal

  10. Amazing list, I feel like we are always eating the same 7 meals in rotation, well try adding some of these foods into our diet to make things more interesting xx #postsfromtheheart

  11. Thanks so much for sharing this. I am always running out of new things for my little man to try #PostsFromTheHeart

    1. You’re welcome.. I actually surprised myself with how many foods we eat…although obv not all the time

  12. You are so lucky to have such good eaters. I hope they stay that way. I have a very fussy eater on my hands and it’s not through my lack of trying. He just will not try anything new and he’s four! I’m hoping he will change his ways when he starts school in September! Thanks so much for linking up to #TriumphantTales – hope to see you again on Tuesday!

    1. Maybe school dinners will encourage home to try new things especially when he sees others trying too.

  13. Avocados & sausages are the main favourites in our house…& chips of course! #postsfromtheheart

    1. Avocado is definitely one of those which they go on and off. Sometimes they devour it and other times turn up their nose

  14. Such a great little toddler food “bucket list.” We are only a few months into our food journey, so we are building diversity daily!
    Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    1. It takes time and for ages it would be just a couple of new foods a week but it’s surprising how quickly these add up

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