Soft finger food ideas

Stillharbor · June 2014

Hi everyone! My DD has DS (which means she's lacking a bit of jaw strength) and she doesn't like the texture of harder objects. Crackers are her favorite (hard) foods because they break and melt her mouth. But I'm seriously out of ideas for semi-firm foods. DD eats lots of beans, waffles (softened with butter), hot dogs, and pasta. She won't eat fruits and veggies are few and far between even my beloved peanut butter has been vetoed.

HELP!! I need ideas for foods she can practice feeding herself.

=Lee=B · June 2014

Sounds like she has a legitmate food issue (lower jaw strength) mixed with poor eating habits. Make sure you are not allowing the latter due to the first!

Little jaw strength is needed to eat the majority, if not all, vegetables, Steam them until they are soft. Most fruits are soft, those that are hard can also be steamed (apples and pears etc).

She CAN eat almost all foods if you cook them to fit her jaw strength...she may not WANT to eat them. Lower jaw strength or not no toddler should have control in what food is served at meal time...don't cave and serve a limited number of foods as it will not benefit her in the long run (or short run).

steelerbaby29 · June 2014

Pieces of cheese. I usually just cut small pieces off a block of cheese. Grapes, strawberries, cherrios, goldfish crackers, toast with jam or toasted bagel with cream cheese.
Steam some veggies and mix it with pasta or beans. Add some flavors and spices. Have her eat what your eating that way she sees the family all eating veggies, fruits, meats, etc. Once in awhile for lunch I make my son Annies mac and cheese and add peas and chicken. If she likes pasta, make a sauce and add carrots, mushrooms, olives, or whatever the family likes. There are ways to add veggies to foods your daughter likes. Just keep trying.

smileybabyboy · June 2014

Cubes of avocado, steamed veggies and fruits, Gerber Puffs melt in their mouth, dried fruit. DS doesn't eat much fresh fruit but he loves raisins and dried blueberries. Sweet potato fries are easy to munch on and healthy. Pancakes, dense banana bread, pizza crust or pizza cut up, string cheese. Good luck!

LimaD · June 2014

Some soft or semi-soft foods that comes to mind, and some you can hide veggies in:

- You mentioned she likes pasta. You can add extra veggies blended into the pasta sauce? (my DD hates the texture of pasta so this is out for us unfortunately)

-Greek Yogurt

-Scrambled eggs or egg bake muffins

-shredded cheese

-Smoothies w/veggies, fruits, yogurt

-Veggie bread, like carrot and zucchini bread. Haven't tried this one yet. Or Banana bread. Use unsweetened apple sauce instead of sugar

-Spinach muffins or pancakes (i've made spinach muffins my DD loves. Could use other veggies too)

- Rice dishes or couscous. (I was surprised my DD likes this)

-Quesadillas (we usually fill with cheese, black beans, and small bits of chicken. Could also try to hide some veggies in there)

-Grilled cheese

Don't give up on fruits and veggies. Try different presentations. My DD will only eat a sweet potato if it's cut into fry shapes and baked. But she loves them. She wasn't a huge fan of fresh blue berries so I tried thawing frozen ones and she gobbles them up. Try offering her food you are eating to give her more variety. I know it can be frustrating, and especially when you have another issue to worry about like her jaw strength. Pinterest has TONS of ideas!

vvvvvfee · June 2014

great ideas above.

have you tried serving veggies with really fatty/creamy sauces for dipping? you could try lightly steamed veggies (or frozen steam-in-bag) like carrots, green beans, and broccoli, with homemade ranch dressing, onion dip, or guacamole. or cooked veggies with alfredo sauce or pesto.

now is getting to be the season for lots of great, soft stone fruits- what about really ripe peaches or plums cut into slices? or watermelon? even if your LO just sucking on it it has lots of juice.

ASmallWonder · June 2014

Don't rule out meats either. You can shred chicken, pork or beef (fish is a no brainer). Even if she doesn't actually swallow any, there are nutrients in the juice, plus just exposure to flavor.

LSU628 · June 2014

Will she eat soups? Chicken noodle soup is soft and a great way to hide veggies. Eggs like PP mentioned, oatmeal- you can easily add fruit, smoothies, hummus with veggies to dip (my weirdo kid likes to dip green beans in hers), what about popsicles? I know our Winn Dixie started carrying these veggie/fruit posicles that my kids love.

BC&LM · June 2014

Pancakes, cheese that's been left out to soften, scrambled eggs, meatballs

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