First, let me start off by saying that no one needs to buy baby food! You have food available to you right now in your refrigerator, on your counter or in your cabinets that you can offer to your baby or toddler.  Always consult your doctor or pediatrician first before you transition to finger foods.

Good choices will be foods that are healthy, easy to hold and pick up and fit within your family’s typical diet (if your family does not eat meat be sure to add high protein foods).

Before I give you a list of foods I must state that finger foods are foods that your baby or toddler can pick up with their fingers. If you cut food up too small they won’t have success and it actually increases their risk of choking. The finger foods however must pass the choke test; see attached image.

Allow at lease 3 days before introducing a new food.

First Finger Food Choices:  bananas, avocado, watermelon, honey dew, cantaloupe, cooked carrots, green bean without seeds, peaches, strawberries (watch for a rash around the lips, this is common with strawberries), cubes of tofu, soft cheeses, low Mercury fish like tilapia (cooked never offer raw fish), soft moist shredded chicken or turkey, when choosing dry cereal look for whole grain and no added sweeteners  (artificial or natural), and rice cakes (unsalted).

Please read ingredients on other choices like hot dogs. Did you know that hot dogs are high in nitrites and sodium nitrites both of which have been linked to cancer? An occasional hot dog made with wholesome ingredients may be ok but not on a regular basis.

I know this part is hard; but remember that your baby or toddler is just being introduced to finger foods and they don’t have a palate that desires sweet nor salty foods. Keep choices plain and simple.

Oh, one more thing…..don’t be fooled by great marketing tools….you really don’t have to buy the fruit or vegetable puffs. They have little to none when it comes to nutritional value.

ENJOY these moments will pass quickly!