Crunchy veggie food

[chelseamorning]

My veggie 2.6yr DS occasionally says he wants 'something to crunch' at mealtimes. He has a varied, healthy diet rich in texture but won't touch raw food like carrots, radishes, cucumber etc. (A problem which started when he wouldn't touch 'finger food' during weaning with his fingers! )

He has the odd few crisps, crackers, nuts etc but I'd appreciate some healthy ideas.

To those veggie mums out there, I'm a bit concerned that I'm not giving him foods to develop/strengthen his jaw muscles. Perhaps that's why he's asking for something 'to crunch', as he puts it? What do you give your DCs?

Wraps or tortillas cut into triangles and baked are lovely.

Good idea, Lilo. Hadn't thought of doing that!

Are your DCs veggie btw?

no, mine aren't veggie but keeping an eye on this thread cos always on the look out for healthy snack ideas and I love crunchy things! I had those baked tortillas at a friend's house and they are lovely. What about breadsticks with or without dips? Or baked potato skins?

Funnily enough, he doesn't like potatoes! He has breadsticks and some healthy quinoa 'crisps' from the HF shop which give him some additional protein as well as the crunch.

I guess my main concern is why he's asking for 'something to crunch'. Is it because his jaw muscles are being underutilised because of his veggie diet? Perhaps I should start a new thread on this topic.

Pitta breads spread with pesto and grated cheese and toasted?

Lovely crunchy cheesy topping on macaroni?

Plain popcorn - not sure if he's too young for this as mine are so old now that I have forgotten who can eat what and when.

Oatcakes?

Fruit like melon or apple slices? Maybe too finger-foody?

Rice cakes? They are quite crunchy.

Or maybe baked/grilled polenta triangles?

Popcorn is good idea. Mmmmm...

TBH he is probably just asking for 'something to crunch' (bless, by the way!) 'cos he likes crunching - DD was forever asking for jelly at that age. We are veggie too and I have never heard of it leading to problems with jaw development.

Not that jelly is crunchy, I just mean that they do get a thing for certain textures sometimes.

My DS would live on rice cakes if I let him. I can't imagine being a veggie would affect aw development.

You could try corn on the cob? DS (2.10) had this recently and loved it, I think it's the novelty of actually having a whacking great thing to pick up and eat with his hands.

What about parmesan crisps? Sprinkle dollops of finely grated parmesan onto a baking sheet and bake. These are really good served with non-crunchy things eg tomato soup.

Thanks for all your suggestions! Some tasty ideas.

It's not that I think being veggie will affect his jaw development per se. I've been veggie for 28 years and I'm okay. It's just that he keeps on and on about wanting something to crunch.

I think you're right, AnarchyAunt about being obsessed with certain things at times. They're funny monkeys sometimes!