Suggestions for Beginning Finger Lunches

Hi all!!  My ds is 10mths old and just started picking food up w/ his fingers.  He really doesnt have the fingers down yet, its more like fisting it into his mouth!  very adorable and very messy!!  Anyhow, he is in daycare and once they start feeding themselves we have to send along breakfast and lunches they can eat on their own.  I already send fruit and french toast for breakfast but what can i send for lunch??  I though pbj is always good but that might get boring everyday.  I do cook up sweet potatoes and he loves those.  We do not eat lunch meat or hot dogs.  I do like smart dogs, but at what age are they okay to eat??  Any suggestions are welcomed.  Thanks!!

[have 2 kids]

You have to provide your own food at daycare when they start eating?  I have only heard of providing formula and actual baby food.  
What about bringing something leftover from your previous meal?
meat cut into very small pieces
green beans
pb&j
spaghetti
chicken nuggets
cheese
bananas
I've never tried it but what about the gerber graduates?  

[wonderme]

It has been a while since mine were that age so I may not be the best source.  I know what you mean -- they are so adorable using their whole fist to eat!  I can't wait for this one to come so I can do it all again!

Fruit -- bananas, canned peaches, pears (they make them the right size/consistency for babies)

Veggies -- sweet pot (yum), cooked carrots, green beans

Cereal...

One note about pb&j -- my pediatrician said not until 5 b/c the pb is so sticky, it can get stuck on the roof of their mouth and choke them.  I gave to my kids before 5, but 10 months might be a bit young.  Just a thought.

I hope the other ladies come up with some better suggestions for you!  Have fun!

[Renogirl]

As a director at a preschool - we provide a hot lunch for our infants and toddlers when they start on table food.  Some of the things that we will offer are - ravioli or spaghettios - (so messy!) chicken nuggets, fish sticks, chicken noodle soup (with added egg noodles cooked in - easier to pick up) vegetables like carrots, green beans, peas, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes - french fries - cheerios make a great snack - vanilla wafer, fruits like peaches, pears, pineapples, apples, bananas, kiwis (we don't give any berry until we have parents permission) - yogurt - goldfish - We won't give chocolate, ice cream or any kind of nuts until they move into our toddler room at eighteen months.  Hope this gives a few ideas - good luck

[rubyolivia]

I would watch it with the PB&J. I worked at a daycare for 6 years and our infants were not allowed to have peanut butter. In fact no one under 3 could have it by state law. Also, it's a huge allergen so you may want to hold off on it anyhow. My niece ate it alot when she was really young but she is DEATHLY allergic to peanuts now (and soy, wheat and dairy too!)

[taysmommy]

one really easy breakfast/lunch i feed my dd is the frozen waffles, i buy the wheat waffles and cut them into very small pieces , she loves them, i started off with plain, and when she turned one i got blueberry and strawberry and she eats them a few times a week still, and its a great source of vitamins (the whole grain, or wheat kind) and their soooo simple!

(i dont put butter or syrup on them obviously, just put the little pieces in a bowl and give her a cup of milk)

also ..10 months may be too young for this...but she also love cherrios, their good for her and easy to eat, and shes never choked on them

what i give her for a snack are sugar free animal cookies, they have calcium and vitamin C and are really easy to chew (of course you dont have to get sugar free, im just a little crazy on the sugar thing, i dont give her ANY sugar, only the natural stuff in fruit!)