16 Months Old Baby Food – Ideas, Chart and Recipes

As kids start growing up, parents are constantly faced with a dilemma of figuring out what to feed them. He might have begun eating solid food items but the challenge of maintaining proper nutrition with a variety of food items that can appeal to him can seem like a circus act.

Video: Food Ideas for 16 Month Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements for 16-months-old Child

Be it regarding breakfast ideas or any other meals, it is necessary that your 16-month-old toddler gets the right nutrients in the proportion that he ought to have.

• Fruits: Fruits not only help in providing fibre but some very essential vitamins that can be absorbed by the body easily. A couple servings of fruits such as bananas, kiwis, mangoes, and many others are recommended.
• Whole grains: These still remain an essential ingredient in the meal options that constitute a child’s healthy diet plan. Even a simple bagel or cereal crackers can be effective in providing enough grain proportion for a child.
• Fats: Apart from being energy reserves to tap into, fats are what make your child healthier and larger in the coming months. Using olive oil in meal preparations or including coconuts and avocados provide good quantities of fat.
• Vegetables: With solid foods being edible for your kid, it is necessary to expand the type of vegetables he consumes. Go with green leafy ones as well as broccoli and cauliflowers after steaming them. Sauces are a great accompaniment as well.
• Meat and eggs: These are cheap, easy, and the best sources of protein for your little one. A simple egg, few pieces of shredded meat, or tiny chunks of seafood can be a great addition to your kid’s diet.
• Iron: Apart from including iron-rich food items, it is also necessary to pair them with vitamin C rich foods, since it allows the iron to be absorbed within the body. Any leafy vegetables, red meats, and citrus fruits are a great combination to be included together.
• Dairy: The weaning of the child from the breast makes it necessary to include fortified milk products in his diet to keep his nutrition intact. Different cheeses, yoghurt and full-cream milk are essential in that regard.
• Nuts and legumes: The chewing ability of kids is put to great use by the inclusion of such items in the daily meals. Right from flaxseeds to peas or even peanut butter, a small serving of these on a regular basis is quite beneficial in the long run.

How Much Food Does Toddler Need At 16 Months

Toddlers experience a reduction in the pace of their growth when they turn 16 months old. While their nutritional requirements are pretty much the same, their calorie intake hovers roughly between 1kcal to 1.5kcal at the most.

Best Foods For Sixteen-month-old Baby

When putting together lunch ideas for your 16-month-old baby, there are certain essential food items that are considered the best choices to be included in his diet plan.

1. Porridge

Being a complete package of multiple nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and fibre, porridge is not only healthy but also quite filling for the little one, early on in the day.

2. Seafood

Yes, certain fish products do contain mercury and arsenic, making them harmful for the little one. However, fishes such as herring, mackerel and salmon are quite safe and contain enough omega-3 acids that benefit the brain development of the child.

3. Eggs

A simple food item that can provide a huge boost of energy is an egg. Prepare it in whichever form that suits your child, the healthiness in their constitution provides great taste and ready-to-use energy, which should ideally become a lifelong habit. (Avoid the semi-cooked recipes though – sunny side up, soft boiled eggs, and poached eggs.)

4. Beans

Beans are great for either breakfast or even evening meals since they are pretty light on the digestive system and provide enough vitamins, fibre, and iron to fulfil the child’s daily requirement. Preparing soups with legumes are also a great way to include them in the diet.

5. Vegetables

While eating steamed and boiled veggies is a great way to consume them, you can even make use of vegetable stock to provide him with the necessary immunity boost.

6. Poultry

Not only is chicken meat rich in protein, but it is also a great source of iron, which is necessary for kids at this age. Simple chicken recipes are not quite difficult to prepare.

7. Fruits

If your little one hasn’t started gorging on fruits yet, it is high time that he begins. Vitamins and minerals are not the only reason for it. The palate that different fruits provide, along with their smells and textures, help in evolving the taste buds of your child.

8. Yoghurt

Amongst many dairy products, yoghurt is recommended by dieticians and doctors alike. These can be paired with different food items to elevate their flavour as well as provide the benefit of probiotics entering his gut and enriching it to function properly.

9. Whole Milk

If you are still breastfeeding your child, then you are all set. But if not, start giving him full cream milk via a cup instead of a bottle. Drinking milk is extremely essential in keeping his growth on track, and keep his nutrient levels optimal.

10. Whole Grains

You don’t need to resort to the typical grain preparations when giving to your child. These can be acquired from a variety of items such as bread, muffins, sandwiches and so on. Make sure different options are included in his meal pan regularly.

Video: Diet Plan for 16 Month Old Baby

16 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

To help you get started by putting together a 16-month-old baby food schedule for your own kid, we have provided a sample that can be used as it is or even tweaked to better suit your lifestyle.

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 5

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 2

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 3, Day 7

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 2

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 16-month-old – Week 4, Day 7

Video: 16 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes For 16 Months Old Baby

Whether they are proper meals or even evening snacks for 16-month-old kid, these recipes will be quite effective in rustling up something quickly and being nutritive for your little one, too.

1. Moong Dal Dosa

An interesting variant on the typical dosa, this one is not only tastier but the interesting texture will leave your kid with a great taste. Ingredients

• Buttermilk
• Hing
• Garam masala
• Coriander powder
• Turmeric
• Salt
• Moong dal sprouts
• Besan

How To Prepare

• Take the sprouted dal in a bowl and mix it together with besan.
• Apart from salt, put together the rest of the condiments in the bowl, following up with buttermilk. Mix them all properly to create a thick batter.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes and then add salt to it.
• Take a pan and coat with ghee. Pour batter on it and cook it thoroughly. Flip it to cook each side properly.
• Once it gets brown on either side, serve it with a chutney.

2. Aloo Peas Paratha

This is a popular recipe amongst many due to its wonderful taste and the ability to fill up your stomach in a great way. Ingredients

• Ghee
• Whole wheat dough
• Anaar powder
• Amchur
• Coriander
• Peas, boiled
• Garam masala
• Coriander powder
• Salt
• Boiled potatoes

How To Prepare

• Take a large bowl and put together coriander, anaar powder, amchur, coriander powder, garam masala, salt and boiled potatoes. Mash them all together and mix it all well.
• Roll some dough to make a roti and fill it with this mix. Cover it properly and add the boiled peas into it.
• Roll it up again properly. Add some ghee to a pan and cook the paratha on it.
• Serve it with some curd.

3. Pongal

This popular recipe from the southern region of India is not purely meant for festive occasions. It is a great meal option for your little one as well. Ingredients

• Curry leaves
• Ginger
• Jeera
• Ghee
• Moong dal
• Rice

How To Prepare

• Let the moong dal and rice soak underwater for 30 minutes.
• Until then, heat some ghee in a cooker along with jeera. Follow up with ginger and curry leaves when hot and sauté them well.
• Put in the dal and rice mix along with 4-5 cups of water and let it cook for about 5 whistles on medium heat.
• Take out the rice once cooked, separate the curry leaves and mash it all together.

4. Besan Paratha

If you’re tired at the end of the day and still need to cook something for your kid’s dinner, besan paratha is here to your rescue. Ingredients

• Ghee
• Oil
• Cardamom seeds
• Garam masala
• Coriander
• Dhaniya powder
• Salt
• Onion
• Besan

How To Prepare

• Apart from oil and ghee, put all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix them well.
• Add some oil and knead the mix to form the dough.
• Roll a small portion of usual wheat dough and fill it up with the besan one.
• Roll it fully to form a paratha and cook it on a pan with some ghee. Pair with butter and chutney for great taste.

5. Beetroot Rolls

A wonderful evening calls for some great snacks. Surprise your kids with these beetroot rolls that are downright delicious. Ingredients

• Oil
• Bread
• Rawa
• Lemon juice
• Chaat masala
• Garam masala
• Salt
• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Onion
• Carrot
• Beetroot
• Boiled potatoes

How To Prepare

• Take a pan and add oil to it, along with onion, cumin and mustard seeds to saute them.
• In a bowl, add carrot, beetroot, and potatoes along with seasonings and mix them well. Follow up with the onions.
• Add moist bread slices to the mix and roll them up in a plate of rawa to cover them fully.
• Fry these rolls deep in oil and serve with ketchup.

Feeding Tips

Apart from the usual dinner ideas, here are a few tips that can make the entire food experience better for your kids.

• Try out old items that your kids have rejected in a different way
• Present food items creatively to entice kids into eating them
• Choose a variety of colourful foods to make the palate visually appealing
• Put together tasty foods with the ones your kid dislikes
• Offer small portions instead of large ones that would go waste
• Make sure your kid drinks water at the end of the meal

There are loads of Indian food recipes that can be great meal options for your little kid to gorge on. Just make sure they aren’t too spicy or strong on any particular flavour, and make sure to offer desserts in controlled portions. Disclaimer:

1. Each child is different and so use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences / requirements.
2. Never force-feed a child.
3. While preparing formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided with it.
4. While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one needs to prepare watery gruels/soups. As a child gets older, the caretaker/ mother has to increase the thickness of the liquids slowly according to the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load; while excessively watery food might cause the child to remain hungry.
5. Some kids may eat less on some days and that is absolutely alright. However, if a child eats less for more than 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.
6. A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she may not be feeling well. You could increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the child is back to normal.
7. Don’t stop feeding if the child is suffering from diarrhoea.
8. You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, lemon juice, curry leaves etc. if the child doesn’t accept the food initially.
9. If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods that may contain them.

Also Read: 12 to 24 month Baby Food Chart and Feeding Tips