best chicken for toddlers = dino bites?

luvmybaby28

I was under the impression that these were not that healthy, like lunchables, but then I saw them at the store and saw that there are many good things in them.  My lo loves chicken and I am all about fast bites, please advise!  I have been giving him frozen chicken cutlets from trader joe's with no breading, but I know that our lo's need grains in their diets too.

Shell24

Are those the ones in the blue bag?  I don't think those are that good.

I've bought the box of Tyson nuggets before, but my fave (and my DD's!) are Earth's Best popcorn chicken. They also make regular nuggets and fish sticks (in the shape of fish).  

There are better sources of whole grains than breading though.  

TiffanyBerry

Eh, they get a LOT of grains from so many of the foods we give them already - and we don't even eat that much grain in our house (I'm gluten free)!  I wouldn't worry about trying to get more grains in via meat, myself, and just stick with plain (well, not breaded, but jazzed up in other ways) meat.

Dreamsicle23

I have bought some kind of all-natural, dinosaur shaped chicken nugget from BJ's.  They were really yummy, actually.  I think as long as none of the ingredients are totally unpronounceable you're in the clear.

NewFamily09

Dreamsicle23:

I have bought some kind of all-natural, dinosaur shaped chicken nugget from BJ's.  They were really yummy, actually.  I think as long as none of the ingredients are totally unpronounceable you're in the clear.

Ohhh, I might have to look for these.  I never buy DS chicken nuggets because they always seem like garbage.  I make homemade ones with chicken breast, egg, and bread crumbs, but most of the time he doesn't like those.  He had Tyson chicken nuggets a couple times at playdates and loved them.  I don't think they're as chewy as mine.

ANJ410

I read the ingredient lists and look for nuggets made from chicken breast/rib meat and I never deep fry them.  I always bake them in the oven.

kkfeb04

Dreamsicle23:

I have bought some kind of all-natural, dinosaur shaped chicken nugget from BJ's.  They were really yummy, actually.  I think as long as none of the ingredients are totally unpronounceable you're in the clear.

We get these too.  I've eaten them also.  I agree they are really yummy and DS eats them.  These are especially handy when he wants nothing to do with the actual meal that you cook.

mariahcohen

kkfeb04:

Dreamsicle23:

I have bought some kind of all-natural, dinosaur shaped chicken nugget from BJ's.  They were really yummy, actually.  I think as long as none of the ingredients are totally unpronounceable you're in the clear.

We get these too.  I've eaten them also.  I agree they are really yummy and DS eats them.  These are especially handy when he wants nothing to do with the actual meal that you cook.

Us too!  It is a nice way to get him to eat when there is nothing else he wants. 

cbee817

We buy DD the Earth's Best breaded nuggets- they're small, but she usually only eats 2 with her meal, so the bag lasts a while. We also just picked up some organic turkey meatballs for her to try- a little pricey, but again, she'll probably only eat 2 or so (DH and I only eat fish, so that's why we're trying to find these bite size options for her).

KellBell88

We get DS Happy Bites chicken nuggets.  They have them at SuperTarget, but I don't know where else they sell them.  They are organic and also have mac n' cheese bites, salmon bites, and veggie bites.  DS loves them!

melody921

I think the best chicken for toddlers is just regular old chicken, not a nugget or anything that's breaded and shaped into something else. I cook chicken breasts then freeze them in portions that can be reheated later if we need a quick meal. As for the grain, I figure he gets that from oatmeal, cheerios, etc.

MNgirl326

melody921:

I think the best chicken for toddlers is just regular old chicken, not a nugget or anything that's breaded and shaped into something else. I cook chicken breasts then freeze them in portions that can be reheated later if we need a quick meal. As for the grain, I figure he gets that from oatmeal, cheerios, etc.

ALL OF THIS.

jen_jupiter

Earth's Best makes these little popcorn chicken type things.  My son loves them, they are the perfect size, and natural.

smerka

My dad works in the meat industry and says to not buy anything that says "shaped". Those are chicken nuggets and contain a lot of other things besides chicken meat. Google Jamie Oliver making chicken nuggets if want to see how they do it. We buy chicken strips that say rib meat. Probably not the best thing in the world, but sometimes you need something quick.

Echowysp

melody921:

I think the best chicken for toddlers is just regular old chicken, not a nugget or anything that's breaded and shaped into something else. I cook chicken breasts then freeze them in portions that can be reheated later if we need a quick meal. As for the grain, I figure he gets that from oatmeal, cheerios, etc.

This is what we do.  I just put chicken tenders either on the george forman grill or even poach them.   No need for junky breading or other ingredients.  I cut it up and he eats them dipped in plain yogurt flavored with garlic (he calls it ranch dressing).

returnhomegnome

Just fyi, but breading does not count as grain. Not in a healthy way, at least. Most breading is the nutritional equivalent of chips or crackers.