Fabulous Finger Foods

CMOTC member Kathleen P. shares this great article she found on first finger foods. Thank you Kathleen!

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Fabulous Finger Foods

By Sally Kuzemchak, R.D.

When introducing finger food they can be a nutritious bite. Remember: cut everything into small pieces (try pea size at first), and try a few at a time. Begin with softer foods between 6-9 months, and once they get use to finger grasping you can try firmer foods at 9-12 months. Stay away from choking hazards like hot dogs, popcorn, raisins, nuts, seeds, and hard raw vegetables. And as always, consult your doctor with any questions.

Here are 50 Nutritious Delicious foods!
(Note that the below should be cut up into very small size pieces for little fingers.)

• Small bites of cherry tomato
• Sliced blueberries or raspberries
• Whole-wheat rotini pasta
• Corn niblets
• Avocado (small cubes)
• Whole-grain couscous
• Small, low-sugar O shaped cereal
• Ripe mango or papaya
• Whole wheat french toast
• Cooked green beans
• Cooked (and peeled) white or sweet potato cubes
• Chopped hard boiled egg (after 12 months)
• Cooked zucchini or squash
• Mozzarella cheese
• Well –cooked asparagus tips
• Sliced grapes (chopped)
• Mini rice cakes
• Grilled-cheese sandwich, cut into strips or cubes
• Brown rice
• Ripe apricot
• Whole grain pancakes
• Tiny, well cooked broccoli floret pieces
• Whole wheat macaroni & cheese
• Kiwi
• Well –cooked diced carrots
• Teething biscuit or Zwieback crackers
• Whole-grain toast with all-fruit spread
• Fruit cocktail (slice cherries and grapes well)
• Whole-grain waffle
• Grated or shaved apple
• Shredded cheese or cheese crumbles
• Fork-smashed canned beans or chickpea or Hummus on a small tiny piece of pita
• Graham crackers (avoid honey varieties until 12 months)
• Ripe honeydew, cantaloupe, or watermelon (seeds removed)
• Tofu
• Bites of whole-grain muffin
• Pineapple
• Ripe peaches
• Cooked pearl barley

Bon Appétit!

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We also have a few other posts on this topic if you are interested in reading more:

Starter Food Advice (from CMOTC moms)

Transitioning to finger foods (favorite finger foods CMOTC moms have used)