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It is quite natural to completely run out of ideas for meals or even snacks for a 15-month-old child when you are used to a very typical meal schedule for yourself. The nutritional requirements for adults and kids are quite different and figuring out what food items can suffice them both can be quite tricky. This is where a proper meal plan and a simple schedule can be quite handy.
Nutrient Requirements for a 15 Months Old Child
The nutritional requirements for a 15-month-old child are all-encompassing. There is a necessity for all the major nutrients to be present in the appropriate quantities, even with reduced food intake.
- Supporting nutrients
With reduced food intake, the chances of minor nutrients such as probiotics, omega-3 acids and others falling short in their required proportion are quite high. Therefore, a special focus is needed to ensure these are included in the diet.
- Water
Including water, especially in the diet is highly recommended since most kids won’t remember to have as much water as they should. Roughly a litre of water is the least your child should drink in a single day.
- Iron
The requirement of iron from other food items increases strongly as your child grows up, since his dependency on breastmilk, the primary source of iron, will begin to reduce. Make sure that he gets 7mg of iron daily from his food intake.
- Sodium
The major food item that provides us with sodium is salt. While that might usually take care of the general requirement of a child amongst other food items, households that sparingly use salt should take extra care of this.
- Fibre
Bowel movement and proper digestion are how your children can truly get the benefits that all the nutrients provide. Including fibre in the diet not only ensures this but also keeps the rest of the body functioning optimally.
- Carbohydrates
The powerhouse of all energy, these form the core of any meal that your kid would have. There should be no compromise in the number of carbohydrates since there is a vast dependency of various bodily processes on it.
- Proteins
Vegetarian families might worry about providing their kids with the necessary amount of protein they need. While meat does provide a substantial amount of protein, there are vegetarian alternatives providing good nutrition, too.
- Calories
The growth rate of your kid might not be as rapid as it was during his early baby days. This results in a calorie requirement of around a kilocalorie or so, on a daily basis, which increases gradually over the years.
How Much Food Does Toddler Need at 15th Month?
Depending on your child’s physical activities and metabolism, a toddler’s food requirements stay within the range of 1000 to 1400 calories within the first few years. Hence, breakfast ideas and meal options need to strike a balance together to ensure proper nutrition for the child.
Best Foods for Fifteen-Month-Old Baby
Some specific food items make for great choices in giving your little one a wholesome meal that provides the necessary nutrition he needs.
1. Meat
It is important to know that little kids cannot have large pieces of meat such as steaks like adults do. The protein requirement for their age can be substantially satisfied by opting for lean meat alternatives, such as minced meat like a Bolognese sauce for pasta, soft fish, crumbled chicken, and so on. Precautions need to be taken when including seafood in their diet.
2. Legumes and Nuts
While eggs also make for a great meal choice to provide your kids with proteins and fats, vegetarians can rejoice with a better alternative in legumes and nuts. Giving nuts directly to your kid is not advised since it can be a choking hazard. However, using food items that contain nuts as an element shouldn’t be a problem.
3. Vegetables
Most kids will start eating their veggies around this age. Certain items might still be a bit difficult to chew, and those can be either boiled or steamed to soften them up. Avoid fried vegetables and opt for a variety that gives your kid a wider taste spectrum to enjoy.
4. Grains
Parents are suggested to go for whole grain varieties when choosing food items, as an easy way to keep up with the nutrient requirement of your child. These can exist in variants of rice and pasta as well. On the other hand, any fortified cereals free from artificial additions make for a great choice, too.
5. Fruits
Not only do fruits provide your kid with a different range of tastes as compared to other food items, but the presence of natural fibre in them also helps in stimulation of the digestive system as well as help in procuring different vitamins.
6. Snacks
While your little one might munch of tiny pieces of cookie or toast, it is best to avoid giving any sugar-heavy products early in life. Make use of cheese based items or steamed veggies to satiate the random cravings.
7. Oil
Even a 15-month-old baby requires fat, much more than anybody else. Those are the energy reserves that keep them going. Opt for oils that have no trans fats or go for alternatives like butter.
8. Dairy
A combination of protein and calcium is highly necessary for kids at this age since their bones and muscles need to be strong. Make sure you include whole milk and some yoghurt in your kid’s diet.
9. Juices
Although it is best your kids have fruits instead of juices, these still can be a great addition to his diet, but only when pressed fresh and absent of any additions. Don’t replace water intake with juices.
10. Multivitamins
The body constitution or family lifestyle might make a nutrient deficiency possible in a child. Such a scenario needs to be combated with a multivitamin that can supplement any dietary shortfalls.
15 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan
Putting together a baby diet chart for 15-month-old kids isn’t an easy task. Referring to the one below, you can create your own that suits your child the best.
| Day | Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Snack | Dinner |
| Monday | Oats porridge with apples | Watermelon chunks | Cottage cheese sandwich | Orange pieces | Sweet potato and papaya puree |
| Tuesday | French Toast | Vegetable sticks | Lentils and rice mixed with green beans | Milk and cornflakes | Eggs on toast |
| Wednesday | Blueberry muffin | Cucumber and carrot chunks | Grilled Chicken with rice and veggies | Milkshake | Oatmeal porridge |
| Thursday | Sweet potato pancake | Potato fries | Noodles in chicken soup | Strawberry shake | Rice Cereal mixed with berries |
| Friday | Oats and fruits porridge | Cucumber & Tomato salad | Fish with rice and veggies | Yoghurt | Pasta Bolognese |
| Saturday | Cheddar sandwich | Strawberry chunks | Meat stew with veggies and brown rice | Banana milkshake | Apple and pear puree with yoghurt |
| Sunday | Apple and cinnamon waffles | Banana pieces | Beetroot and chicken with rice | Smoothie | Lentil soup with whole wheat bread sticks |
Food Recipes for a 15 Months Old Baby
For parents struggling with unique meals or lunch ideas for their 15-month-old kid, these recipes can provide a quick escape as well as stoke their imagination to make some more.
1. Pasta
Let your child revel in delight as well when he comes across this weirdly beautiful recipe.
Ingredients
- Milk
- Rice flour
- Green cardamoms
- Jaggery syrup
- Pasta
- Water
How To Prepare
- Take a pan and add water to it. Bring it to a boil, add the pasta to it, cook it, and drain it well.
- In another pan, add ghee and butter with some cashews and roast them well. Follow up with milk and let it boil. Add the pasta to it and cook it all together.
- In a cup, add milk, water and the rice flour. Mix it all properly till it is smooth. Pour it into the pan and stir continuously.
- Once the kheer is thick, add cardamom seeds with jaggery syrup, and serve.
2. Roasted Green Beans
Do away with the usual boring snacks and add a great flavour to this healthy option that will make your child fall in love with greens.
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Green beans
How To Prepare
- Start by heating the oven to a temperature of 425 degrees. Keep a pan inside it for 8-10 minutes.
- Add the beans in a bowl and pour a little oil while sprinkling some salt. Toss them all together to mix it well.
- Spread these beans on a sheet laid on the tray, without letting them cover each other.
- Place them in the oven for around 10 minutes to make them crispy and soft.
3. Purple Veggie Puree
For kids that are bored with the same old purees, this vividly coloured version will have their eyes light up instantly.
Ingredients
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Frozen spinach
- Blueberries
How To Prepare
- Take a pan and add water and spinach to it together. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 8 minutes.
- Drain the water and mash together lemon juice, water, blueberries and spinach to form a nice thick puree.
4. Scrambled Eggs with Toast
This is one way your 15 month old will love to have eggs! Rich in calcium protein and fibre, it makes for a hearty start to the day.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Whole wheat toast
- Milk
- Butter
- Salt and Pepper
How to Prepare
- Break the eggs into a jug, add the milk and mix with a fork.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan and pour in the eggs. Cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally and make sure it is cooked through well.
- Meanwhile, toast the bread and place onto warmed plates. Divide the egg between the toast and season with freshly ground black pepper.
5. Quinoa with Peas and Onions
Even if your toddler is a picky eater, this is a recipe for success!
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
How to prepare
- In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the quinoa.
- Reduce the heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté the finely chopped onion in oil until tender.
- Add the peas; cook and stir until heated through.
- Stir in the cooked quinoa and add a hint of salt and pepper.
Feeding Tips
With some simple tips, while feeding your kid, you can make the experience easier for you and better for the little ones.
- Let your kid eat from the food prepared for your family as well, as long as it isn’t spicy
- Start teaching your kid to eat certain items with his own hands
- Don’t force your kid to finish up his food quickly
- It is fine for your kid to eat intermittently than sit quietly for a full meal
- Don’t fuss if your kid suddenly changes his eating habits
- Make the entire experience of enjoying food items a fun-filled one
With numerous dinner ideas for your little kid at your disposal, your meals will take a new life of their own in the coming weeks. Observe your child and try to see what he likes and what he doesn’t, to balance out his meal schedule accordingly.
Also Read: List of 12 Healthy Weight Gain Foods for Babies & Kids
