"As many parents can relate, toddlers will go from eating an array of foods one day and then seem to survive on a forgotten pretzel found between the couch cushions and a few sips of whatever you’re drinking the next. My toddler will often snub my homemade pasta or delicious frittatas, which has turned meal planning and grocery shopping into dreaded chores.
My two growing boys and active husband also open our fridge or pantry approximately 20 times a day while complaining there is nothing to eat. My grocery shopping now requires a plan of attack to buy toddler-approved meals and snacks my whole family can enjoy. Enter Aldi.
If your family is anything like mine, I recommend keeping staples from Aldi on hand, especially if you don’t have the time or energy to keep up with their stomachs. Here are eight of our family’s favorite items.
1. Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad
My kids love pairing the sweet chicken salad with salty whole wheat crackers. The individual packages are great in lunch bags or on-the-go.
2. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
My almost 5-year-old will literally steal my plate from me if I dare to grab a snack of hummus without him. He typically pairs it with corn chips or crackers, but has also been known to eat this by the spoonful. It’s also a great way to add protein to my kids’ diets without the hassle of cooking a meal from scratch.
3. Cauliflower Crackers
My kids love these as much as they love Goldfish, and have no idea that they are eating vegetables. If you’re trying to cut down on junk food, but your children are still obsessed with salty snacks, these are a great alternative.
4. Moo Tubes
My kids also like these as a side with lunch or dinner. The tube shape and brightly colored box makes yogurt more fun, which for toddlers can mean they think it tastes better.
Mom Hack: if you pop these in the freezer they make a great substitute for an ice cream treat.
5. Tuna Salad with Crackers
If you are a mom always on-the-go and need an easy lunch that tastes delicious, these packs of tuna salad are so good. They taste nearly like homemade tuna salad and can be added to a diaper bag or purse if you need a quick protein-packed snack.
6. Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli
These ravioli are delicious and a quick meal to keep on hand. My kids could eat two bowls each and still ask for more. Pair them with Aldi’s marinara or vodka sauce and you have a new staple to add to the weekly rotation.
7. Freeze Dried Apples
My kids call these “apple chips.” They are perfectly sweet, crisp, and a healthy treat you don’t have to feel guilty for giving your kids.
8. Spinach or Sweet Potato Bites
From sweet potato bites to spinach/kale bites, these are one of my kids’ favorites because they remind them of dinosaur chicken nuggets. You can bake these, or even use your microwave to whip up a few when you are in a rush and looking for a quick way to get your child to eat a vegetable. They are well-seasoned and savory enough for parents to enjoy as well.
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