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…
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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
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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.
Hi there ,i am desperatly seeking help for my grandaughter she was weaned at six months but she was not weaned properly in my mind, it was called baby led weaning no structured mealtimes just when she wanted to eat but allsorts of things not jarred foods but what an adult would eat she has always been a very bad sleeper,and her mum breastfed untill the was 30 months,she is a very bright baby as she reads books from cover to cover and has been doing this since she was two also her speech is amazing from two years,she recently saw a pediatrician as regards her eating and reading i was so full of hope he would be able to help with her eating the thing is she seems to be afraid of food and she will not touch any food with her hands as it freaks her out its not being naughty she truly panics if she gets a crumb on her she will not touch a cup you have to feed her from the cup and the only liquid intake she has is a cup well a tiny cup and a half of milk every day,we can get her to bite a sandwich but if any part of it gets around her mouth she panics as with bananas,a biscuit or a crisp this is her diet and i am so scared she will end up in hospital having to be drip fed she also suffers chronic constipation as no veg or roughage no cereals no grains no nothing please help if you can she also stores the food we can get down her in her mouth for up to two hours at a time and ends up having to have it removed as she builds up so much saliva she knows if she opens her mouth it will get on her face and clothes and she will freak,having said that she loves her bath and will get wet all over no problem but the slightest bit of dust or fluff on the carpet she will panic so badly or anything strange like sand as we got her a sand pit she will only use the shovel,but water the garden and herself and me the dog it does not phase her we need help please anybody reading this thank you .
I am so sorry that your grandaughter is in this situation. I can only imagine how stressful it is. There is a lot of information on this blog about help for kids that aren’t eating well. If you look in the menu bar at the top, there is a list of every article under “Article Index”. I don’t know where you are in the world, but I would look into feeding therapy for her, which is usually don’t by a speech therapist or an occupational therapist like myself. If that isn’t an option I do offer consultations at a very affordable rate, with a variety of options. I would have a lot of questions before I could you specific advice.
Generally speaking, try to encourage messy play outside of meal time. Think sand boxes, finger painting, etc. Take it slow and follow her lead with this. Keep doing it until she is fairly comfortable with it. Also, try to get her on a regular routine with eating. Let her use utensils so that she doesn’t have to touch the food. I think there are a large variety of issues that need addressed here and there is professional help. Again, I am so sorry for your situation. Please let me know if I can help in any other way, even if it is to set you in the direction of services in your area.
Thank you i am in the u,k, i have tried with the finger painting and she did it once but had to be cleaned up quickly as she started to freak out we got her sand box for her and she will also, i forgot to mention fuss the cats and dog with no qualms whatsoever and she does freak a bit when the dog licks her hand we have also got her to hold the dogs gravy bones and let him take them from her she will wipe her hands afterwards and also the cat treats and she will hold a spoon and fork but feed invisible food to her toys or the dog there is never food on the spoon or fork as she breaks her heart crying if i as much as put a tiny bit of anything on it she is not being naughty she is genuinly afraid,but if for instance you ask her would you like something to eat honey she will say yes or no and we go through the options this even
ing she asked for a sandwich and managed three bites before she started to squirrel it away and her parents were here with her and just ready to take it from her mouth and i just said rayne nanny is gonna catch you and giggled she also giggled and said no catch you nanny and she chewed the food and swallowed it as we were both giggling and i chased her up the living room and her mouth was empty and i gave her praise for eating her bites of sandwich and told her its in your tummy now good girl and she told me i had to have my lunch and i must swallow my bite of her sandwich which i did and we went on like that so two finger sized sandwiches with ham and cheese on were eaten without tantrums her mum was stunned as was i but just that giggling helped somehow and her mum is going to try it at home i know its only a small victory and a lot of things need addressing but baby steps as you have said,she also can not stand fluff any size or shape and her mum said when she was in the kitchen and rayne was in her chair next door she screamed mummy fluff and was petrified her mum is well used to this and ignored it untill the babby said mummy quick its running on the floor and the sofa and got really frantic she went to see what was running on the floor and the sofa and got the babby out of her chair and showed her its just a spider not fluff and the babby was made up it was a spider and said hello to it and everything called it leggy and wanted to stroke it she is petrified of fluff but a big hairy spider is her best friend go figure her poor mum however is the most scared person i have ever seen with spiders and will not go in the loo if there is even a tiny one there she will ask me to take it out or kill it i think its bad karma to kill them so let them go in the garden,however the doctors follow up apointment is in december and we are having to fill in all sorts of things about her how she interacts and she is a very loving child and gives cuddles and kisses but does not go to pre school so has no interaction with her peers and her cousins are miles away so we are on our own the parents were told to get her in pre school or a morning group but her sleep is so erratic they cannot thank you for your interest lorraine,
Hi Lorraine, I’m sure she is a beautiful girl with many strengths outside of eating. The best simplest advice I can give you in the mean time is to stick with foods she has shown interest in or at least tolerated. Keep presenting these foods or foods similar to them, making just small changes. However, try to have enough different foods so she has something different for each meal. It isn’t good to offer the same thing all day long. Also, choose foods that make minimal mess. It will be easier for her for now. I hope this helps a little! Again, let me know if I can be of any more assistance!
Thank you we try and present allsorts of stuff i am going to try the toothpick one as she has not had that one yet and no fingers involved may work its all worth a try, she is so precious and they have offered her a nursery place for 52 weeks but as she is still in nappies none of us want her to go i do not know if you know about the sickos in the uk that were abusing babys that could not tell, one of them was a woman and several of her workmates were also doing it (sick bastards) women and men it was so disgusting and if there is a playgroup she can attend with her mum she will go but as i have said before her sleep is so erratic its almost impossible to take her anywhere i will be brutally honest i think her mum and dad have been so lazy and have never got her into a routine of anything i brought both of mine up alone and had set bedtimes it was wind down time and bath and bed every night and wash up and breakfast every morning they never went to pre school and they would eat what i cooked for us and fed from a spoon from the word go her dad would always spit his veg out and so i hid it in other ways to make sure he had all the nutrients and i introduced water between feeds so both of mine would have it in a cup when they could use one as its very hot now in the uk i worry she will get dehydrated and she will not hold a cup at all and my advice is just not taken at all but thank you for all your help i really am glad to know that we are not alone in this thanks again lorraine.
I know it is so hard to figure out why and what the best thing to do to move forward is. It does sound like she has some underlying sensory issues that may have been compounded by some of the circumstances you described. Good luck!
I have been very stressed about what to start feeding my one yr old. This has been a lifesaver!! Thank you so much!
I am so glad Tiffany! Good Luck!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your creative and nutritional ideas! This is so helpful.
I just found this and it is so helpful! My son is 9 months old and I’ve been having trouble thinking of things for him to eat for every meal. Love that you provided such a great list!
Wonderful ideas!! Thank you!
so glad I found this!! thank you!!
Honestly, I cannot say thank you enough for what you have put together here! You are awesome and this is a great resource for new moms that have young children that are no longer interested in eating baby food. My little girl is very independent but has been eating baby food since she was 8 weeks old and now at 8 months she refuses anything offered to her on a baby spoon if is not yogurt. And it is a bit un-nerving trying to figure out what I can and should not offer her off of our plates.
Last night alone she decided she no longer wanted the rice cakes, and will only eat the puffs as a snack anywhere not in her high chair.
So again thank you for all of these awesome ideas!!!!!
My 9 month old has decided he doesnt want to be spoonfed anymore. Very independent little boy. Some of the items on your list I hadnt thought of to try for him.Alway worry that hes not getting enough variety since I seem to go to the same foods all the time.
Try to get him to spoon feed himself! Glad the list a help, yes variety is important!
This list is fabulous! I have a 9 month old who is having a hard time transitioning from bottle/baby food to food, she really only likes bagels and bread :/ but this list is great! I will try
This list is fabulous! I have a 9 month old who is having a hard time transitioning from bottle/baby food to food, she really only likes bagels and bread :/ but this list is great! I will try
Wow this is a great list. I have two little girls and my youngest daughter is 13months old and has struggled with eating. She wouldnt eat baby food until she was 7 months and has been eating table food for a little over a month. Everything we tried she choked on (might have been texture issue) but now that she’s eating I’ve been so nervous to try new things because of my fear of her choking again. This list helps soo much!! Thank you Thank you!
Wonderful! I understand you caution, but try not to be too cautious. Try things slowly. It would be texture if she is gagging as soon as it touches her tongue, but may be another issue if it is after it is in her mouth. If it is the latter you do need to be a little cautious. Also, try to have a neutral reaction when she does choke/gag. Kids will respond even to that negative attention or fear from you. Good luck, let me know how she is doing!
any suggestions for meal variety for my 16 Month old who has severe milk, peanut and tree nut protein allergies? He does well with fruits and veg as well as grain and carbs and we do soy milk, veg oil based margarine and rice cheese, but he’s not a huge fan of the protein category with his only consistent preference being the soy milk. He will eat chicken sometimes or beans sometimes. Is there something else I can try to fill in his protein gap?
Thanks, I love your site, all the info has been really helpful!
So many kids at this age struggle with protein and you have a harder go at it for sure. Will eat casserole? If so, you could mix bits of salmon or tilapia, the latter being very mild. Also, could you cut of bits of chicken or beans and add melt into a grilled rice cheese or quesadilla? Ham, sausage, and “healthy” hot dogs might be good to try as well. He may eat those diced up.
I am so excited to have found your website! My son is 15 months old and we are in the process of working with a Speech Pathologist and starting an OT this week. He’s been making some progress but it’s hard to think of food items that are easy to chew (he’s still mashing quite a bit). This list is very helpful! Hopefully he is successful with some of them so he’s not eating the same thing every day! Thank you for this great blog! 🙂
Oh, thank you so much for the comment. So glad it is a help!
I just tried the zucchini bread you suggested on another comment. My son ate a whole slice! 🙂 I have had such a hard time with veggies, that he usually still eats baby food puree. I finally have a “table food” veggie! Thanks! 🙂
That’s great! Try to build off that now. Try other breads, mix shredded carrot or yellow squash. Try it in muffins. Maybe even venture out to fried zucchini pancakes.
I totally agree with you!
Great list, but I think it should mention that egg whites and fish are potential allergens (I couldn’t see this info anywhere – apologies if you have it and I missed it!)
I don’t think I mentioned it anywhere specifically. So many foods are high allergens. Parents need to discuss what their comfort level is with introducing new foods. Most doctors recommend waiting 2-3 days between introduction of new foods. Personally, I didn’t do that, but that isn’t the right decision for all. Thanks, Yvette!
Any suggestions for a dairy intolerant baby? We are 18 months old and still heavily rely on baby food 🙁
Any suggestions for a dairy intolerant baby? We are 18 months old and still heavily rely on baby food 🙁
Mandi- I know this can be really tough! I would try and focus on crunchy foods first like crackers that are dairy free. They can be hard to find, but if you keep reading labels you will come across a few. Also, try plain rice cakes, double check, but I believe those are dairy free. I would encourage you to try as many table foods as you can and move away from the baby foods as he tolerates it. Let me know if you need more help!
Great list! My son is going on 9 months. He was introduced to pureed solids early at the advice of his doctor (4 months), but we went slowly because he’s a breastfed baby and we want to preserve that. He is a huge eater. Gobbles up meals of anything I give him. Loves lots of healthy veggies, anything blended with brown rice, etc. And still breastfeeding as much as ever, drinking water from cup and straw…yet he is stil a pinch under weight, not on a worrying way…just in a really fast metabolism way. He is often hungry. I pray his immense interest in food continues. He has only 2 bottom teeth but is using his jaw actively to ‘ chew’ and signal hunger so I think we are nearing a time for table food, pending the go ahead from his doctor. Will try your ideas then!