Breakfast Foods for Toddlers

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for any age, not least of all for toddlers. Children from age 1 to 3 should have about six small meals a day, starting first thing in the morning. Toddlers will experience a large increase in meal variety as they grow into a solid food diet. Common breakfast components such as eggs and whole milk, which the U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends should be introduced when the child turns 1, offer vital nutrients. Watch for allergic reactions when these foods are introduced, and don't introduce peanuts or shellfish until the child is closer to 3 years old.

Cereal

• It is important to continue serving your child iron-fortified cereal regularly, especially if she eats only small amounts of meat, fish and beans. "O" cereal (like Multi-Grain Cheerios) is a popular choice, with the added benefit that young toddlers can learn to serve themselves by eating it dry. For a balanced breakfast, serve it with whole milk and fresh fruit like banana or strawberries.

Eggs

• Eggs are rich in protein, iron and omega-3, which can be lacking in toddler diets. Always cook eggs until both the white and yolk are hard-cooked. Eggs can be scrambled with grated cheese on top, hard-boiled and chopped, or poached hard with whole-wheat toast.

  A fun way to cook an egg and toast for toddlers is to use a cookie cutter to cut out a shape in a slice of bread---something he likes, like a teddy bear or a train---and pan fry an egg in the hole shape, turning to cook thoroughly.

Pancakes

• Pancakes are popular with most toddlers, and they can be made more nutritious by sneaking some pureed vegetables into the batter---jarred baby food works fine. Instead of topping with sugary syrup, top with cooked fruit or all-fruit jam.

  To make pancakes even more appealing, take a page out of restaurants' books and make faces out of fruit and whipped cream.

French Toast

• Eggs, whole milk, and whole-grain bread---French toast is a good way to get fiber into a toddler diet. Top as you would pancakes.

Mini Bagels

• Tiny bagels with cream cheese have toddler appeal. Bagels can also be served with fruit or topped with a little scrambled egg. For older toddlers, try chopping up some smoked salmon and mixing it into the cream cheese for extra flavor, protein and omega-3.

Fruit and Yogurt

• Yogurt is a simple breakfast, and varieties made for small children generally contain less sugar than those marketed for adults. Add a little chopped banana, berries and/or crushed granola on top. Light and delicious, this might become mom's breakfast of choice, too.