24 Months Old Baby Food Ideas Along with Recipes

24 Months Old Baby Food – Ideas, Chart, and Recipes

Medically Reviewed By
Nidhi Mehta (Paediatric Nutritionist)
View more Paediatric Nutritionist Our Panel of Experts

Your child has turned two and now he can eat almost every food item that is on your plate. While this might seem like a blessing, it also means that your child will be even pickier than before, and refuse to eat certain items just because he won’t like the taste. So, you will have to be more careful about his food choices. But there is no need to worry about your child’s food habits as we have some amazing ideas and recipes that you can try for your two-year-old.

Video: Food Ideas for 2 Year Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements of a 24-month-old Child

At 2 years, your child’s appetite would definitely increase and hence you will see him gorging on whatever comes his way. While he eats anything and everything, it is your responsibility as a parent to see if his nutrient requirements are being fulfilled or not. Following are the nutrient requirements of a 24-month-old child:

1. Calories

Between the ages of 1 and 4 years, a child’s calorie requirement does not increase as extensively as you would expect it to. Most children need only about 1200-1300 calories on a daily basis.

2. Proteins

The growth of a child’s body and muscles heavily depends on his proteins intake. But that does not mean his diet should constitute only of protein-rich foods. A child gets enough proteins from the usual food products.

3. Carbohydrates

These pretty much form the core of each meal a child has at this age. A child needs around 130-150 grams of carbohydrates for a kid to keep functioning properly through the day.

4. Dietary Fibre

Since most meals include processed foods, it is important to maintain an inclusion of whole food items as well. Fruits or grains can incorporate fibre into your child’s diet and keep his digestive system healthy.

5. Sodium

Most parents fret about children getting a lot of sodium from the salt. But maintaining about a gram of sodium intake daily is utterly important for children at this age.

6. Iron

Along with sodium, iron is another element that plays a vital role in keeping the circulatory system of a child’s body at an optimal level. When the diet is balanced, there’s no need for iron supplements to be given along with it.

7. Milk

The importance of milk cannot be stressed enough. Milk is necessary for bone development and overall growth and development of a child, so make sure your child drinks a glass of milk daily. You can give him cow’s milk, soy milk, or almond milk too.

8. Water

The presence of water might seem surprising in the list of nutritive elements but you would be surprised to know that only a few children meet the daily requirement of drinking 1.3 litres of water every day. Hence, you must check if your baby drinks water enough or not.

How Much Food Does a 24-month-old Toddler Need?

Although your child is growing, it does not mean you feed him every hour. As per his current age, he requires no more than 1.5 kilocalories on a daily basis. And this can be easily achieved with a diet that has a good combination of grains, fruits, vegetables, and other food items.

Best Foods for a Twenty-four-month-old Baby

The completion of 24 months puts your child at an important stage in his life. Going ahead, it is important for him to gain a good amount of weight and develop an energy reserve to power him through life. A few specific foods can help him make that happen.

1. Eggs

Giving your little one a whole egg, either as an omelette or in the boiled form is a great way to add to his weight and make him a filling meal. Children can eat both the yolk and the whites without any issues.

Egg omelette

2. Khichdi

Since it can get difficult to make kids have a complete meal by themselves, khichdi is a great option that can be made within no time and is full of nutrients, thanks to the presence of both rice and various lentils. Eating khichdi helps in healthy weight gain and stimulates the metabolism as well.

3. Potatoes

This vegetable can go with nearly any kind of meal preparation. Yes, you must be bored of eating it, it is extremely vital for your kid. Your kid’s diet should include potato. Starchy vegetables are quite essential at this age.

Mashed potatoes

4. Curd

A child needs strength right from an early age. The cream of the milk or curd is a great source of fat and even provides energy to the body, which can be synthesized by the body in the best form and prove beneficial for the child.

5. Milkshakes

Your child may whine when it comes to drinking his daily glass of milk. Combining the same with a fruit can help turn it into a delicious milkshake, which provides added nutrition and would be loved by your little one.

Strawberry milkshake

6. Ghee

Adding a spoonful of ghee when serving veggies to your child should become a practice at this age. While vegetables should be prepared in ghee itself, you could opt for using olive oil instead to keep your own health intact.

7. Nuts

Breakfast is a great time to include a variety of nuts in your child’s diet. Let it be mixed with cereal or let him have a few after he wakes up in the morning. Everything from almonds to cashews and raisins is good if given in moderation.

Almonds, cashews, walnuts

8. Flaxseeds

A healthy combination of proteins, fats, and fibre are essential for a growing baby. To meet these nutrient requirements, you can include flaxseed in his diet. Flaxseeds are immensely popular among those but pumpkin and melon seeds can do the trick as well.

9. Peanut Butter

Yes, this is a healthy food item for your child. Although it is best to keep peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for special occasions, you can use the butter in various preparations, since it is a great source of fats and energy.

Peanut butter sandwich

10. Jaggery

Most households make use of refined sugar to bring out the sweetness in their preparations. Replacing it with jaggery is not only a healthy alternative for everyone, but the child receives its health benefits as well.

Video: Diet Plan for 2-Year-Old Baby

24 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

Figuring out what to give your 24-month toddler can take up an entire day. Make use of a simple meal plan to get a foothold, and plan your own chart accordingly. The following meal plan is great for children who are 2.

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 1

Breakfast Seviyan coconut upma + milk
Mid-morning Banana/apple/any locally available fruit
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Fruit smoothie
Dinner Methi (fenugreek)thepla + dal(lentil) soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 2

Breakfast Multigrain chilla + almond milkshake
Mid-morning Any locally available fruit
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Almond-anjeer (fig)milkshake
Dinner Paneer (cottage cheese)pulav + raita

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 3

Breakfast Parathas with milk + raisins + honey
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Paneer(cottage cheese)- khakhara chaat
Dinner Bajra(pearl millet)- besan(gram flour)- lauki(bottle gourd) muthia + tomato carrot mint dip

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 4

Breakfast Phirni
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Peanut chikki + ½ cup of any locally available fruit
Dinner Paneer pulav + raita

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 5

Breakfast Oats-almond kheer
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Banana/apple milkshake
Dinner Ragi(finger millet) dosa with sambar and chutney

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 6

Breakfast Poha(flattened rice) with tomatoes and capsicum + chocolate milkhake
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Dalia(broken wheat)
Dinner Paneer(cottage cheese)-aloo(potato)-palak (spinach)paratha + curd

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 1, Day 7

Breakfast Banana pancake
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Paneer (cottage cheese) with honey and almonds
Dinner Bajra(pearl millet) roti + brinjal bharta + dal(lentil) soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 1

Breakfast Dalia( broken wheat)upma with grated carrot and milk
Mid-morning Plain khakhara mixed with curd
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Plain khakhara mixed with curd
Dinner Palak(spinach)-moong dal(split yellow gram) muthia

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 2

Breakfast Banana pancake and chocolate milk
Mid-morning Mashed potato with grated paneer(cottage cheese)
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Mashed potato with grated paneer(cottage cheese)
Dinner Dal(lentil) khichdi with lotus stem soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 3

Breakfast Scrambled egg with toast and fruit milkshake
Mid-morning 2-3 homemade cookies + milk
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening 2-3 homemade cookies + milk
Dinner Paneer (cottage cheese)paratha with drumstick leaves and drumstick soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 4

Breakfast Moong dal(split yellow gram)-spinach dhokla with green chutney
Mid-morning Masala makhana(puffed lotus seeds) + banana milkshake
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Masala makhana(puffed lotus seeds) + banana milkshake
Dinner Vegetable soup/ chicken broth with vegetable paratha and curd/lassi

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 5

Breakfast Sattu(gram flour mix) with milk, almonds and dates (sieved)
Mid-morning Rajgira(amaranth) chikki dipped in milk
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening French fries with tomato chutney
Dinner Ragi (finger millet)tomato soup with rajma(kidney bean) chawal

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 6

Breakfast Idli with chutney or sambar
Mid-morning Banana/apple milkshake
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Crushed til(sesame) ladoo with banana milkshake
Dinner Roti + dal + a subzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber+ hand pounded rice

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 2, Day 7

Breakfast Puttu with chana(chickpea) curry
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Wheat laddoo and milk
Dinner Dal dhokli with sliced carrots

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 1

Breakfast Grated cucumber-oats pancake
Mid-morning Cut fruits
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Grilled sweet potato slices
Dinner Chole puri + lassi

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 2

Breakfast Vegetable upma made with buttermilk
Mid-morning Paneer(cottage cheese)-apple mash
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Oats-apple smoothie
Dinner Makki(corn) ki roti + sarson ka saag

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 3

Breakfast Omelette with bread or paneer(cottage cheese) sandwich
Mid-morning Bread slices with butter/home made fruit jam
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Paneer(cottage cheese)-dates ladoo
Dinner Mix vegetable-paneer(cottage cheese) paratha with tomato soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 4

Breakfast Rajgira(amaranth)-wheat sheera with mashed raisins
Mid-morning Banana/apple/any locally available fruit
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Baked potato wedges topped with cheese
Dinner Paneer(cottage cheese) cutlets or grilled fish with coriander tomato soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 5

Breakfast Puri sabzi with milk
Mid-morning Multigrain ladoo
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Plain dahi with banana/apple/ locally available fruit
Dinner Baked beans with toast

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 6

Breakfast Seviyan kheer
Mid-morning Banana/apple/any locally available fruit
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Banana/apple milkshake
Dinner Bisi bele bath with curd

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 3, Day 7

Breakfast Vegetable upma made with buttermilk
Mid-morning Fruit custard
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Roasted peanuts + yoghurt
Dinner Roti + sabzi + dal

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 1

Breakfast Rajgira(amaranth) milkshake with chopped anjeer(fig)
Mid-morning Dates- skim milk powder ladoo
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Plain khakhara mixed with curd
Dinner Lauki(bottle gourd)-methi(fenugreek) muthia with buttermilk

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 2

Breakfast Boiled egg yolk/ homemade paneer(cottage cheese)
Mid-morning Palak(spinach)- grapes -apple smoothie
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Mashed potato with grated paneer
Dinner Shahi paneer(cottage cheese) with paratha and tomato-mushroom soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 3

Breakfast Besan(gram flour)-jowar(sorghum)-coriander chilla with curd
Mid-morning Besan(gram flour)mixed with sattu(barley) + khajur(dates)ladoo + milk
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening 2-3 homemade cookies + milk
Dinner Paneer(cottage cheese) cutlets or grilled fish with baked bean soup and grated carrot raita

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 4

Breakfast Fruit smoothie
Mid-morning Poha(flattened rice)soaked in dahi(curd) with mashed banana
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Masala makhana(puffed lotus seeds) + banana milkshake
Dinner Bajra(pearl millet) roti + brinjal bharta + dal + vegetable raita

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 5

Breakfast Scambled egg
Mid-morning Oats-apple smoothie
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Rajgira (amaranth)chikki dipped in milk
Dinner Macaroni and cheese with tomato soup

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 6

Breakfast Seviyan upma + kesar(saffron) elaichi (cardamom)milk
Mid-morning Peanut ladoo
Lunch Fried rice with sweet corn soup
Evening Poha (flattened rice) soaked in dahi(curd) with mashed banana
Dinner Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chut

Diet for a 24-month-old – Week 4, Day 7

Breakfast Ragii satva (Finger millet malt) with almond powder
Mid-morning Mashed potato with cheese
Lunch Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening Dahi(curd)vada (homemade)
Dinner Dhansak with rice

Video: 2 Year Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes For a 24-months-old Baby

In order to make sure your little kid eats his meals properly, here are a few recipes you can make to ensure that he gets the right nutrients.

1. Spinach and Beetroot Cutlets

These make for a great breakfast item on weekdays and even on weekends.

Spinach and beetroot cutlets

Ingredients

  • Spinach puree, 2 tablespoon
  • Beetroot puree, 2 tablespoon
  • Whole wheat flour, 0.5 cup
  • Jaggery, 0.5 cup
  • Butter, 2 tablespoon

How To Prepare

  • Begin by preheating the oven at a temperature of 200 degrees.
  • Mix together jaggery and butter in a bowl along with spinach puree.
  • In another bowl, mix beetroot puree with jaggery and butter.
  • Add the flour to both the bowls with some water, and make the dough.
  • You can even mix spinach and beetroot puree and make their cutlets.
  • Make cookie shapes from the dough and line them on a greased baking tray.
  • Place them in the oven and let them bake for about 8-10 minutes.
  • Serve warm with curd or chutney.

2. Ragi Cake

Satiate your little one’s sweet cravings with this healthy and delicious ragi cake.

A cake with ragi flakes on it

Ingredients

  • Olive oil, 0.5 cup
  • Vanilla essence, 1 teaspoon
  • Salt
  • Milk, 1 cup
  • Yoghurt, 1 cup
  • Baking soda, 1 teaspoon
  • Brown sugar, 1 cup
  • Cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons
  • Whole wheat flour, 1 cup
  • Ragi flour, 0.5 cup

How To Prepare

  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
  • Take wheat flour in a big bowl and add ragi flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder to it. Mix it thoroughly.
  • Add yoghurt, oil, milk, and vanilla essence to it and mix well again.
  • Pour this mixture in a baking tray and place it in the oven for about half an hour. Serve it with some nice chocolate syrup.

3. Egg Dosa

When a simple uttapam does not fill your child’s tummy, give it a twist. Make egg dosa and he will finish it in no time.

Egg dosa

Ingredients

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • An egg
  • Dosa batter

How To Prepare

  • Heat the pan and sprinkle a little oil on it.
  • Pour dosa batter in the centre and spread it around. Now crack an egg exactly over it.
  • Let each side be cooked properly and add salt and pepper for additional taste.

4. Sweet Potato Puffs

This food items is a great evening snack and can even be a major side dish for a light dinner.

Sweet potato puffs

Ingredients

  • Flour, 0.5 cup
  • Cereal, 1 cup
  • Applesauce, 1 tablespoon
  • Water, 2 tablespoons
  • Vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons
  • Sweet potato, mashed, 4 cups

How To Prepare

  • Preheat the oven at a temperature of 350 degrees.
  • Mix together oil, potato mash, and applesauce in a bowl. Add water gently till the mixture blends fully.
  • Follow it up with cereal and flour as needed.
  • Use the dough to make small ball-like portions. Poke a small hole in the middle to let the trapped air out, allowing it to puff up.
  • Apply oil on a baking tray and arrange the puffs on it. Bake them for about 15 minutes and serve.

5. Fried Bananas

For little kids who turn their face away at the sight of a banana, this fried delicacy would be hard to resist.

Fried bananas

Ingredients

  • Oil
  • Cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon
  • Bananas, 2

How To Prepare

  • Slice the bananas after peeling them.
  • Add some ghee on a pan and fry the pieces. Sprinkle cardamom powder over those and enjoy.

Feeding Tips

A few handy tips for feeding your child can go a long way in making the entire meal experience a memorable one.

  • Do not reward or punish your child when it comes to his eating habits. He will learn in time what is healthy and what is not, so don’t force him to eat anything.
  • Do not feed spicy food items early in life.
  • Refrain from giving anything that is extremely hot or cold.
  • Make it a habit to sit together at the dining table and enjoy a meal.
  • When giving him snacks, choose nutritious options.
  • Keep meals frequent and small in quantity.
  • Let children take small portions of the food.
  • Avoid rushing through the meals.
  • Maintain a combination of vegetables, fruits, and milk.
  • When introducing any food, check if it provides him energy or not. Do not give foods containing empty calories.

Introducing healthy and nutritious foods at the right age can help your child pick good habits in the future too. Most kids warm up to the foods once they see the entire family enjoying it together and work towards developing a habit of doing the same. So, make sure that you eat with your family every day.

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: Finger Foods for Babies

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