Grains

• Many toddlers enjoy bread or toast, which can be cut up into bite-size pieces for a toddler. Pasta and crackers are also perfect finger foods for toddlers. Start toddlers off with healthy whole grain varieties for optimal nutrition. In "Selecting Snacks for Toddlers," Healthy Children also suggests pretzels with no salt as a good source of grains for toddlers.
  
  

Vegetables

• Vegetables may get a bad reputation from older children, but many toddlers enjoy these colorful foods. According to the "Nutrition Guide for Toddlers" by KidsHealth, a two-year-old should consume about 1 cup of vegetables each day. Try peas, carrots, potatoes, yams, broccoli and cauliflower for a variety of color in the diet. All vegetables should be steamed until they are soft enough to chew easily and cut in small pieces.
  
  

Fruit

• Due to its natural sweetness, many toddlers happily eat fruit cut up in bite-size pieces. Soft fruits, such as bananas, peaches, plums, strawberries and seedless watermelon are excellent choices. As parents notice a toddler chewing her food, try small pieces of harder fruit, such as apples or pears.
  
  

Dairy

• Calcium is found in some other foods, but many children acquire this nutrient through dairy products. Aside from drinking milk and eating yogurt, parents can offer bite-size foods that offer critical nutrients. Small pieces of soft cheese are a perfect snack for a toddler. Hard-boiled eggs chopped in small pieces are easy for toddlers to pick up and eat, and have a high nutritional value as well.
  
  

Protein

• Although meat provides protein, many meats can be difficult to chew. Start a toddler with ground meat, such as beef cut in small pieces, making sure it is cooked thoroughly. Soft, cooked beans are an excellent finger food for toddlers, as well as tofu cut in small pieces. Peanut butter provides a toddler with protein, but spread it thinly on bread or crackers so he is able to swallow it easily.
  
  

Choking Hazards

• As toddlers learn to self-feed, there are many foods that seem like a good idea, but can actually be quite dangerous to little ones who do not chew their food well. Round-shaped foods, such as hot dogs, grapes, or small tomatoes should be quartered or not offered at all as they can block a small child's airway. According to Baby Center in "Foods That Can Be Unsafe for Your Toddler," parents should also hold off on popcorn, nuts, seeds, and hard candy. Chewy foods, such as marshmallows or gummy candies are also difficult for a toddler to manage.