Snag this awesome list of food for 1 year olds to toddlers, and the 9, 10, and 11 month old babies in between learning to eat table and finger foods. Includes a free printable list too!
Wondering what types of food to feed give your baby or 1 year old? As a pediatric occupational therapist and mom, I’ve got your covered. You’ll find that most of the ideas I am sharing are for babies 10 months and up, but it really depends on how well your baby or toddler is chewing foods. You could be introducing these a little earlier or later.
In general, these are perfect foods for 1 year olds and those a little younger!
Wait, I’m worried about my baby or toddler choking on solid food!
If you’re worried about your baby choking make sure you check out our guide on baby gagging. Understandably, this is a common concern. Keep in mind that gagging and choking are two different things. It’s quite common for babies and toddlers to gag occasionally.
If your baby or toddler gags a lot with new foods they might be getting used to the texture. Or, they may need help learning to chew.
However, if it’s happening a lot you’ll want to talk to your doctor and for sure head to that guide. This is something I’ve seen a lot as an OT and the sooner you address it the better.
Of course, any concerns at all about your child’s eating or variety of foods should be brought up with your child’s pediatrician.
And, if you’re wondering when you should first serve the ever popular crunchy breakfast cereal, Cheerios, then head to When Can Babies Eat Cheerios.
Are these Food Appropriate for My Baby or Toddler?
These guidelines are based on my experience as a licensed occupational therapist and the 17 years of experience working with hundreds of families. The suggestions are also in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations.
If your baby hasn’t started eating yet, learn how to transition them to table foods, or if they’re constantly refusing please head to our 7 step guide for when baby won’t eat.
To be honest, I wanted to have a resource for myself, since Isaac (10 months old) is right in the middle of this transition and I am struggling to make sure he has enough variety.
I do have to admit that Isaac isn’t (hmm, need to choose my words carefully here,) the best eater.
He chews and manages food very well, but unless the texture isn’t right, he isn’t very interested. Of course, this is very frustrating! To make sure I optimize my chances at success (aka: he actually eats something other than Gerber Puffs or Cheerios), I need a go to a list with all of my ideas (plus some new ones), so I am not scrambling in the craziness of meal prep.
If you’re in the same boat, check out our free workshop to help your toddler learn to eat a wider variety of foods.
The list is organized into three categories:
- fruits/vegetables
- carbs
- proteins
When putting together meals, plan for at least one food in each of these three groups. Also, keep in mind that if you mash up a casserole or lasagna, all three categories may be covered in one shot. For example, with the lasagna: spaghetti sauce= protein, noodles= carbs, and meat or cheese= protein.
Let’s get started…
Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure.
Tips for Feeding Table Foods to Babies
- Make sure everything you give your baby for the first time is closely monitored. Chew a small piece in your mouth first and pay attention to how hard it is to chew. If it doesn’t break down easily and quickly, it probably isn’t a good choice.
- Stay calm if your baby coughs or chokes a little, it will happen. If you freak out, they will freak out. If they are coughing or choking on a food frequently, stop giving it to them and re-introduce at a later date.
- Cut food into small pieces so they can chew it easily. Cut beans in half and make sure meats are soft and moist. Help your baby with foods that are difficult to pick up, don’t make the pieces bigger until you are sure they can manage them.
- This is a list of table foods, not necessarily finger foods, although many of them are. For example, spread hummus on crackers or serve cottage cheese.
- Have your baby or toddler eat with the rest of the family. It’s the best way for them to see other’s eating a variety of healthy meals and food groups. They learn so much from watching YOU eat!
- If your baby is under 1 they’ll still be drinking formula or breast milk. You can serve some during the meal in an open cup, straw, or sippy cup. Children at this age typically don’t need fruit juice, but water is a great option. Once a child has their first birthday they can be transitioned to cow’s milk.
- At every meal offer a fruit or vegetable, carb, and protein for a balanced meal. Snacks don’t have to include a protein. Baby food is optional, but by this age focus on moving them towards all table food at a meal.
- Cutting foods into small pieces can be a pain, but offer small pieces that are easy to pick up and small amounts so they aren’t overwhelmed. This also helps prevent choking hazards of overstuffing and too large pieces that they can’t manage. You can also cut food into stick shapes if your child is able to manage that well.
- This suction mat is also my favorite if your using a chair that pulls right up to the table or if your going to a restaurant. Check out the little pocket to catch the food, brilliant. I used this with all three of my kids, and it’s held up amazingly! Seven years of use, not too shabby.
- If you use a high chair, these suction bowls are awesome for trays!
Before we move on, if your baby is 9-10 months old and struggling to eat table foods, be proactive. They can learn to eat with some specific strategies.
Check out the free workshop that will help you get your baby or toddler on the right track: 5 Easy Changes Parents Can Make To Help Babies & Toddlers Eat Table Foods Well!. Includes a free workbook:)
Food Ideas for 10-11 month and 1 Year Olds
Protein Ideas
Tofu
Meatballs (gluten and dairy free optional with this link)
Meatloaf
Cheese shredded from a hand grater (it is thicker and easier to grab this way)
Salmon
Chicken (make sure it’s a soft texture)
Homemade mini Chicken Nuggets (gluten and dairy free option)
Turkey (ground or breast cutlet)
Hard-boiled egg
Scrambled egg
Hummus
Black Beans
Cheese Spreads
Cottage Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Crumbled Goat Cheese (or use as spread)
Plain Pulled Port (make sure it’s extra soft)
Shreds of Pot Roast (make sure it’s extra soft)
Yogurt
Tzatziki Sauce (may need to puree if there are large pieces of cucumber in it)
Peanut Butter (now safe to give to babies/toddlers, spread thin or thin out with water)
Olive oil (great healthy fat, drizzle on top of carbs or veggies)
Carb Ideas for Baby and Toddler
Toast
Plain or Buttered Bread
English Muffin
Bagel
Cheerios
Barley
Corn Grits/Polenta
Brown Rice
Short Pasta
Graham Crackers
Town House Crackers
Pancakes
Crepes
French Toast
Tortilla
Pita
Oatmeal
Quinoa
Cream of wheat
Fruit and Vegetable Breads (ie: Zucchini, banana)
Muffins
Fresh Fruit/Vegetable Ideas for Baby and 1 Year Old
Peaches
Watermelon
Plum
Mango
Banana
Avocado
Potato
Sweet Potato
Applesauce
Pears
Peas
Cooked Diced Apples
Cooked Diced Carrots (great to use pieces from soups)
Cooked Diced Celery
Pureed Soups (ie: tomato, butternut squash)
Inside of Baked Potato
Mashed Potato
Mashed Sweet Potato
Broccoli (make sure it’s extra soft)
Cauliflower (make sure it’s extra soft)
Puree Fruits
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Strawberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Raspberries (many babies will find these too tart, but still give it a try)
Spinach (use in casseroles or foods you’re mashing up)
*If your baby is struggling with the taste or texture of fresh fruits you can also try freeze dried varieties. They’re also great as quick health snack while you’re traveling.
Baby Meal Plans
Below, I am outlining some various meal plans, just to give you some ideas. Many of the meals would suit a toddler or big kid as well. Again, depending on how your child is managing foods, you may need to dice or mash foods more. I would encourage you to think of what you are eating and if you could modify it for your baby. Ideally you want your baby (soon to be toddler) to be eating what you are eating.
This may mean some planning ahead.
Mash up or chop up what you are eating into small pieces. Once you get into this frame of mind, you will be surprised to think of all the foods your baby can enjoy, too!
Also, I try to vary textures at each meal. Meaning, I want one kind of food that need to be eaten from a spoon and at least one that is finger-fed. It doesn’t always work out this way, but that’s the goal. especially as they are transitioning off of all pureed foods.
Breakfast Ideas for 10 -11 Month and 1 Year Olds
- English muffin with cream cheese and chopped strawberries
- Cottage cheese (depending on age, may need to chop coarsely in food processor), diced pear, and graham crackers
- Diced hard-boiled egg, diced toast with butter, and applesauce
- Cream Of Wheat with pureed berries and plain whole milk yogurt (yes, mix this all together)
- Pumpkin waffles and diced banana
Check out toddler breakfast ideas for more inspiration.
Lunch Ideas for 10-11 month and 1 year Olds
- Tortilla folded in half (quesadilla style) with a little melted cheese inside and mashed avocado
- No sugar added applesauce, zucchini bread, and shredded mozzarella pieces
- Tomato soup with black beans and blueberry cornbread
- Hummus spread on pita with diced fruit salad (or whatever fruit you have on hand)
- Shreds of pot roast in tzatziki sauce and pureed mango-banana sauce (blend pieces of mango and banana together, leaving it a little chunky)
Head over to toddler lunches for 17 more easy and healthy ideas perfect for 1 and 2 year olds!
Dinner Ideas for 10-11 Month and 1 Year Olds
- Ricotta or cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, spinach, and whole wheat noodles chopped coarsely through a blender or food processor. Also, give some pieces of noodles to finger feed
- Tilapia, steamed and slightly overcooked broccoli, and polenta
- Meatballs, barley, and diced carrots
- Mashed sweet potatoes, tender turkey breast or cutlet, and pieces of buttered bread
- Canned salmon (I always use wild Alaskan), quinoa, and diced apples/butternut squash
Find even more food ideas for babies and toddlers in Ultimate List of Baby/Toddler Meal Ideas and if you’re looking specifically for high calorie foods, click on over to High Calorie Foods for Baby and Toddlers.
Want a Free Printable Food List for 10-11 Month and 1 Year Old’s?
Yup, you heard me right, grab our Mega List of Toddler Foods and Meal Ideas Printable full of tons of finger food ideas for toddlers and babies, with Bonus High Calorie Foods. You can print this out and hang it right on your fridge. I’ll send it right to your inbox!
More for Babies and Toddlers
How to Transition Your Baby to Table Foods
Toddler Portion Sizes: How Much to Serve
How to Teach Your Baby or Toddler to Feed Themself
**Did you Pin this? Click here to save!**
Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 19 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.
I just came across your blog and I can’t escape it! I have 10mo twins that were born at 29w. Sensory is HUGE and I’m ALL about it! Thank you for the fresh ideas and thank you for new food ideas too! My daughter is loving table foods and straws and now I have some ideas to get my son up there too! LOVE it! Thank you again!
I have a 10 month old (just turned yesterday) and this is so great! Thanks! Question—Do you make your own Zucchini bread? Do you have a good recipe you wouldn’t mind sharing? 🙂
Congrats, the first year goes so fast, doesn’t it? I do make my own zucchini bread and use a different recipe just about every time because I have yet to find one I really like. I also go for one with as little sugar as possible, which usually means honey. Most docs are ok with cooking with honey, but you may want to check. Here is the last recipe I used, it was pretty hearty, my then 10 month old loved it. I doubled it and froze an entire loaf and muffins, so we have been eating it for a while!
http://www.simplebites.net/how-to-make-the-best-zucchini-bread-ever/
I omitted the chocolate, but it definitely would have been great with it.
These are a great help, thank you! I have a question. You suggest serving a meal with at least one preferred item. I’ve done this in the past, and my son (also an Isaac! 14 months old) will eat the preferred item and throw the rest on the floor. What do I do then? He’s still hungry, do I give up on the new items and give him more of the preferred food?
Great question! At this age what they eat isn’t really up for discussion. As they approach 2 and older you can start to say things like, “You need to try (or eat) some of everything on your plate before you have more.” When you get to this point be careful though, generally I try not to use one kind of food as a reward for others. However, they need to understand that they are expected to at least have a little of everything. For now, all you can do is encourage. Try to feed them a bite of the non-preferred in between bites of something they really like. Not in a sneaky kind of way though, you don’t have to hide it. Keep trying, I promise consistency is the key! (P.S. Issac is a great name, isn’t it!)
Amazing – This will give us some new ideas for my son 9 months, who has oral aversion and gagging “issues” from being intubated many many times. He likes food so this will help us – anything to gain some more weight!
Pat yourself on the back for being so proactive! Weight gain can be so stressful, sounds like you are on the right path, though. Good Luck!
This is great! I am starting more to introduce the foods I am eating to my son. He just turned 9 months old and just started finally getting teeth. He pretty much loves all of the jar food I have been feeding him with the exception of squash. I have been struggling to know exactly what I should give him so I am thrilled that I came across this post! So the dairy foods such as shredded cheese and cottage cheese as well as yogurt is okay for a child under 1? I look forward to reading your other posts!
I know the tranistion to table food can be so overwhelming! First off, I would say check with your babies doctor and then decide on how you want to handle the dairy. Most docs endorse dairy around 9 months as long as it isn’t straight milk and it is introduced slowly. It can mess with their digestion, so watch for any changes in their diaper!
Thank you so much! It is wonderful for me to hear that it is of some help. Stay tuned, my next post will be perfect for your lttle guy, I am writing on how to teach your baby to drink from a straw…. hopefully it will be up tomorrow!
My sister sent this my way, and I’m so glad she did!! My son is only 7 months, so we’re very early in this process, but I remember the challenge we faced with my daughter around this age! What great ideas, thank you!
This is a very helpful list for my almmost-2 yr old who is getting pickier about her foods day by day. I loved the list and the variety it has. A good friend recommended this blog and it is very helpful. I will keep you posted on how it goes with my daughter.
Because you are an OT I had a question, my daughter has never been a very social girl, always very shy/scared, cries (sometimes hysterically) when our friends come over or we go for a party or get togethers. She is almost 2 and now our neighbors just dont like to deal with her since she is a “cry-baby”. Me and husband and our caregiver are very patient with her, she has no trouble around us.Is there a good way to handle this, does she need an evaluation? Could you write something on kids like her if you have seen them and what was done. Thanks a bunch!
It is difficult for me to say if she needs an eval, but I have two pieces of advice. One is talk to your doctor, even if it is a sick visit. If you are concerned that warrants a visit. Second, you could just do an eval, they are totally play based for kids at this age and at a minimum it would give you some piece of mind.
If it were me, I would try to give her regular opportunities to play with other kids in her age group. Ease into it with maybe only one other child at first. Be prepared to back off if she gets overwhelmed. Keep trying, it will get better. As for the neighbors, forget about their comments, people are good at being insensitive and judgmental. I will definitely consider writing a post on something related to this in the future. If you have more specific questions feel free to send me an email, we may be able to do a phone or skype consult.
So glad you find the blog, make sure to check out basic strategies to improve eating, too. I think it will be of some help. Definitely keep me posted!
This list is fantastic. My 1 year old has been “starving” all day long lately and I’ve pretty much run out of ideas of what to give her that will really fill her up. Meal time is hard. She’s a great eater and will eat just about anything you put in front of her (and has the teeth to do it, too), but I struggle with knowing what to make for her. Typically, she eats what we eat for dinner, and does well with it, but she gets hungry 10 minutes after the meal is over which makes me think she’s not getting enough. I try to curb it by giving her water to drink during the day, but I’m not perfect at it. Any tips for how to satisfy a bottomless pit so she doesn’t get “fat” in the bad, obese sense? She’s a little chunker, but she’s a healthy chubby…just always hungry. Anyway. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
Well Mandy, this is a good problem to have! It is difficult feeding any child at this age, it is such a time of transition. I have a couple of recommondations… First, feed her every 2.5-3 hrs apart with nothing but water in between. This is a normal appetite cycle. Give her milk with the meals. Provide a protein, carb, and fruit/veggie, at each meal, even snacks. Try to keep meals to 20-30 minutes. Give her as much as she wants to eat during these meals and when you see her losing interst end the meal. I would try to stay away from feeding her again few minutes later, you want her to learn when it is tie to eat and when it is not, BUT don’t put too much pressure on yourself, it is a process! You guys will find your groove soon! Hope this helps!
Finally!! I have been scouring the Internet for a list like this and a how to serve. Thank you for your time of putting this together!!
This is so helpful! I have an almost 11 mo old who is actually a great eater and interested in anything I’m eating, so I hope it stays that way, but I’m always looking for new ideas!
That’s great! Glad the list will be some help!
Love this list! I am also glad I came upon your blog this list will be prefect for my 10 month old.
I am so glad too, thanks for the comment!
I, also, just came across your blog and while this is the only post I’ve read so far, I am so happy to have found you!! I have a 2-year old who Is not much of an eater and it’s making me mental! I’m so excited to see some of what you’ve written before and what is yet to come. Thank you so much for this!!
I hear you, really, I do this for a living and my own kids can push me to the edge with eating! There is lots of info on the site, I hope you can find some tips and strategies that will help! Good Luck and let me know if anything was helpful!
Thanks for all the great ideas. I just found your blog and I am excited to check it out! I have an extremely picky three year old who seriously could care less about food and I get very frustrated trying to come up with ways for him to eat new food. I also have a 16 month old who was an amazing eater until about 1 month ago, and now has decided to follow in her brother’s footsteps. I look forward to getting more ideas from you.
Hi Elizabeth, I am glad you found your way here, there is a lot of info so don’t get overwhelmed. Feeding our kids can be sooo hard! Start at Basic Strategies in the navigation bar and then read through the posts, even the recipe’s- I usually give some good tips at the end! I hope it helps, let me know how it is going!
This is fantastic! I’m so excited I came across your blog because I have a 10 month old who I’m struggling to impress with many foods thus far…this gives me some new fun ideas. Thanks so much.
-Amanda
I am so glad you found it too! The transition to table foods can be challenging, I hope this helps. Stay tuned because I will be putting out a post in the next couple of ways on how to actually make this transition. Nice to hear from you!
My 15months old baby didn’t eat anything..she have 4teeth up and 2teeth below….i don’t know what kind of food i can give her…even rice she don’t want…i don’t know what to do….can somebody help me..
Hi Che-che, I know this is so frustrating. I would recommend looking at my posts on How to Transition Your Child to Table Foods. You can find it in the sidebar under popular posts or in the menu bar under Article Index. Also, she doesn’t need teeth to chew, their gums are sufficient. Focus on crunchy meltable foods right now like graham crackers, cheese curls, gerber puffs. These are great beginning foods, especially for kids that are having a hard time eating. Also, eat with her and leave your mouth open so she can see you chewing.
Thank you so much for the ideas! My daughter is 10 months and wants nothing to do with her jar food anymore. She loves eating finger foods and isn’t at all picky. I was just running out of things and didn’t want to keep doing the same old. This was very helpful for me.
Thank you so much for your posts! I was having a hard time with my 10mo as well. He didnt really want puree anymore but he would gag with anything else. I started with the puffs like suggested (first pieces and finally he picked up the whole thing and ate it). After a little over a week he is now eating soft pasta and veggies. Not keen on meat but I’ll take it slow and keep working with him. Anyways came back to get more ideas. So glad I found your blog! Thanks again!!!
That is great! It will take some time, it has only been a week! Sounds like you guys are on the right track!