Sources of protein for LO at 12-18mos?

sescms2004 · September 2011

DD is doing great with meals...not very picky and will eat most meats (chicken, fish, some beef). DS, however, is becoming extremely picky and will not touch any of those anymore...even though he used to like them a few months ago. I'm struggling with ideas to get him to eat more protein. He LOVES cheese, yogurt, milk....so dairy is really the only place he's getting it right now. Other than the occasional jar of stage 3 dinners that I give him when he refuses what's on his plate. I'm really not even sure how much they need at this age, or if he's getting enough in just his dairy.

How much protein does your LO get at this stage? Any other ideas for us to try?

samk213 · September 2011

DS likes these organic chicken and fish nuggets we get him, he also likes turkey meatballs and turkey breakfast sausage links cut up. He's also into dipping things so we'll give him yogurt/ranch dip for him to dip things in, adds a little protein.

His and my most favorite thing to get protein in him is whole fat ricotta cheese mixed with pretty much anything. I've added a little marinara and finely chopped hamburger to it sometimes and he'll gobble it up. Mainly he eats ricotta mixed with applesauce or with sweet potatos.

Edit: I will say, it can be hit or miss. One day he decides he likes the fish nuggets and then 2 days later he throws them on the floor. He seems to rotate what he likes and doesn't like by the day.

hannah&ben · September 2011

beans (black, pinto, kidney, etc), hummus, cottage cheese, edamame, different nut butters (almond, cashew, peanut, sunflower, etc)

preheatedoven · September 2011

Our vegetarian kids get protein through beans, cheese, tofu, yogurt, eggs, veggie burgers (soy), and other grains. We haven't given nuts yet per pedi advice due to family allergies.

GL! I also agree about dipping, yogurt is great for that:)

Radler · September 2011

DS loved hard boiled eggs at that age (still does). And any kind of beans. And at 12-15 months I had the best luck getting him to eat meat if I chopped it up really fine. I could even throw, say, part of a chicken breast and some vegetables in our mini food processor and then feed it to him with a spoon (I didn't really puree it, just chopped it up a bit so there was less chewing for him to do).

sescms2004 · September 2011

samk213:
DS likes these organic chicken and fish nuggets we get him, he also likes turkey meatballs and turkey breakfast sausage links cut up. He's also into dipping things so we'll give him yogurt/ranch dip for him to dip things in, adds a little protein.

His and my most favorite thing to get protein in him is whole fat ricotta cheese mixed with pretty much anything. I've added a little marinara and finely chopped hamburger to it sometimes and he'll gobble it up. Mainly he eats ricotta mixed with applesauce or with sweet potatos.

Edit: I will say, it can be hit or miss. One day he decides he likes the fish nuggets and then 2 days later he throws them on the floor. He seems to rotate what he likes and doesn't like by the day.

I love the ricotta cheese idea! Will definitely try that. His fave stage 3 dinner was lasagna, so I bet I could do that w/ the marinara & finely chopped beef. And, DS is the same way.... two weeks ago he gobbled up tilapia and yesterday threw every bite on the floor

Dr.Loretta · September 2011

You can try lentils, black beans, split pea soup, and hummus (currently DD's favorite)

ladychicago · September 2011

various types of meatballs mashed up in sauce with pasta, soy protein (tofu or soy "chicken" nuggets or patties, beans (black beans and pinto beans mostly, she loves black bean burgers), and she likes my pulled pork... usually. Shredded chicken is hit or miss, but she usually likes chicken nuggets. Oh, and she likes TJ's chicken sausage.

ladychicago · September 2011

Oh and eggs, but they are hit or miss.

I would also say she usually gets protein at two of her meals... in the form of cheese and/or something else.

LakeGenevaBride · September 2011

My boys will not eat any meat unless it is hidden. They LOVE hummus. I could mix hummus with dirt and they would probably eat it. Their favorite is the Sabra red pepper hummus. I mix hummus with Northern white beans and they usually eat it. They also like this mexican casserole I make with rice, tomatoes, beans, corn, finely shredded chicken, and you guessed it, hummus.

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Sources of protein for LO at 12-18mos?

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