Nutrient-Packed Pancakes for Active Toddlers

This post is sponsored by Abbott Nutrition, all opinions are 100% our own.

Having trouble getting your toddler to eat a balanced and nutritious diet? I hear you. Not only has my 2-year-old never met a vegetable he likes, he seems to want to eat nothing but pancakes and waffles morning, noon, and night- it’s so frustrating!

Which is why our contributor, Kaley, and I are partnering up with Abbott Nutrition to tell you all about new Go & Grow by Similac Food-Mix Ins to help toddlers between 12 months and 4-years-old maintain balanced nutrition while they are learning to eat new foods.

Mix-Ins is available at all major retailers but you can get free samples sent right to you!

Visit this page for free samples (while supplies last)

You’ll also find store locators and more information about how Mix-Ins helps your child maintain balanced nutrition.

The Picky Eater Problem

As moms we all know proper nutrition is the foundation for a healthy life for toddlers. In a perfect world, our littles would happily gobble up nutrient-rich foods like broccoli and sweet potatoes.

As moms we also know that the reality is it can take a while for certain foods to appeal to kids. (You’ve probably heard the often repeated wisdom that a child may have to try something 10 to 15 times before she will like it.)

A Tool Designed to Help

Abbott created new Go & Grow by Similac Food Mix-Ins to help toddlers maintain balanced nutrition while they are learning to eat new foods.

Similac products are based on the latest science and innovation, and Mix-Ins is no different. Each single-serve powder packet has OptiGRO, their unique blend of DHA, lutein and vitamin E that supports brain, eye and overall growth and development. Mix-Ins also offers protein, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals.

All that in a simple powder my 2-year-old will never even know I added to his much-loved waffles and pancakes (Can you hear the angel choir singing?!). I’m telling you…

Go grab your free samples here

Then read on for Kaley’s Nutrient-Packed Pancakes recipe!

Pancakes are a crowd favorite in our house. Even on the pickiest of days, my toddler goes crazy for them.

So, for my first test with Mix-Ins, I added them to her pancakes to see if she would notice and crossed my fingers.

She gobbled them up and asked for more.

Success!

I was totally thrilled and the process couldn’t have been easier.

Just add the packets to your favorite pancake batter, at a ratio of 1 packet to each 1/2 cup of batter.

Or, if cooking from scratch is more your thing, you can try our nutritious toddler pancake recipe, below.

Nutrient-Packed Pancakes for Toddlers

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoon sugar
pinch of salt
2 packets of Similac Go & Grow
any fresh fruit you like, diced (we used strawberries and blueberries)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients well
Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray
Use a tablespoon to pour batter into pan
Cook until the bubbles on the edges of the pancake start to pop
Flip and cook on the other side until done
Cool, then serve to your toddler

One of my favorite tricks for introducing different tastes and textures to your pancakes is by incorporating fruit.

It’s such an easy step towards getting your littles to try new, nutritious things, which is the long-term goal here.

Choose a fruit that is in season, and dice it before adding it to the batter. (If your little one is sensitive to different textures, try dicing it very finely until they get accustomed to having the fruit in their pancakes.)

Good Fruits to Try:

strawberries
blueberries
raspberries
bananas
peaches
mango
pineapple

And don’t forget the free Mix-Ins!

Your little ones won’t taste the difference between these pancakes and their normal pancakes, but the added nutrition will make a big difference in their health.

Score one for mom!