Feeding little eaters with big opinions? Welcome to the chaos. One kid wants nothing but mango, the other acts personally offended by vegetables. It’s all part of the gig. But harder than dinnertime drama is juggling real nutrition with this week’s picky-eater phase.
Deep breath. You’ve got this—and we’ve got your back. Our Little Spoon Plates are made for moments like these: pre-portioned into three simple sections (protein, whole grains, veggies) so you can feel good about what’s on the plate—even if it ends up on the floor. The real MVP? They show up at your door. No chopping, no bribing, no “just one more bite” negotiations.
THE TLDR: You don’t need a PhD in toddler nutrition, a food scale or measuring cups to pull this off. But understanding why this balance matters? That’s the game-changer. Because when you know how to fuel your kid’s body, you’re not just winning one meal—you’re building better habits that stick. Ones that help your whole crew (yep, you too) feel good, eat well and reach for better every time someone yells “I’m huuuuungry.”
Let’s break it down.
Start With the Right Plate Size
Kids don’t need a Cheesecake Factory-sized portion of chicken nuggets and mac-and-cheese. Choosing a smaller plate–about 7 inches across–keeps you from overfilling the plate and makes the meal feel less overwhelming for your little one.
Divide the Plate Into Three Parts
Here’s a formula to aim for when building your toddler’s plate:
- ½ plate fruits and vegetables
- ¼ plate whole grains
- ¼ plate protein
½ of the Plate: Fruits and Veggies
We know. Easier said than served. But filling half the plate with produce doesn’t mean just broccoli. Mix things up with fruit salad, peas and carrots, apples with cinnamon—you get the idea. Serving size? Think baseball or lightbulb (yes, really). On-the-go? Our Smoothies are made with non-GMO + USDA-certified organic produce, 0g added sugar and exactly zero blender clean-up.
¼ Plate: Protein
Protein builds muscle, supports brain development and keeps their energy from crashing 30 minutes after lunch. Toddlers only need around 13g per day—aka the size of a deck of cards. One grilled chicken strip. Two scrambled eggs. A scoop of beans.
In a pinch? Meet convenience without compromise—YoGos, 4g of protein in 1 pouch complete with fruits, veggies and whole Milk Greek Yogurt.
For other easy protein adds, consider:
- Scrambled Cage-Free Eggs: found in our Mini Classic Eggs + Sausage Biteable and Pesto Eggs Biteable, as well as our Classic Breakfast Plate.
- Turkey Kale Meatballs: found in our Mini Turkey Kale Meatballs Biteable, Whole Wheat Penne and Turkey Kale Meatballs Plate and Butternut Squash Ravioli Plate.
- Chicken Super Nuggets: our signature, antibiotic-free nuggets made with hidden kale, carrot and cauliflower, and included in our Chicken Super Nuggets Plate, The All Star Plates and Chicken Dunkers Luncher.
¼ Plate: Whole Grains
The rest of the plate can be filled with your kid’s favorite whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta—it’s really your pick. Carbs provide your kids the energy they need to learn, grow and conquer the day. They also help keep little bellies full and satisfied between meals, making them a solid foundation for any balanced plate. At Little Spoon, our menu offers a range of whole grain sides like whole wheat penne, quinoa and cilantro lime rice. If you steal a bite (or ten) from your little one’s plate, we listen and we don’t judge.
Throwing dairy into the mix? No problem
A single cup of yogurt, milk or one of our Greek yogurt pouches (aka YoGos) make a great sidekick for any meal (and hello calcium + protein).
Progress, Not Perfection
Some meals will be beautiful. Some will be banana-smeared chaos. Either way, you’re doing great. If your kid eats one more carrot than yesterday–that’s a win. If today feels like the whole world’s on your plate–let us help you with theirs.
