How to get kids to eat fruit
Getting kids to each fresh fruit each day can be a bit of a struggle for us parents. Luckily both my kids love most fruits and I have no problem getting them to include it in their diet. Dieticians and health authorities state that in order to have a well balanced meal, we should eat 5 portions a day between fruit and vegetables. Most children will eat fruit without having to be bribed or coaxed, but some children refuse point-blank to even try it. Hopefully some of the tips in this hub will help you to help your child.
Are your kids getting their 5 a day?
Fruit and vegetables are in the same food category for a particular reason. If your child is not eating fruit, the chances are that if they eat vegetables, they are probably getting their five a day portion. Vegetables like broccoli, red peppers, green peppers and spinach all contain vitamin C.
If your son/daughter has school meals at lunchtimes in UK, they will contain two portions of fruit/veg which count towards their 5 a day. Lunchboxes can be made up to include a yoghurt, smoothie, fruit juice etc which all count towards their 5 portions.
In order to get children to each fruit, these are some suggestions which I hope you find useful.
Smoothies
By blending milk and fruit, a delicious smoothie may well be the answer. Pour into a tall glass and serve with a straw. Here are a few delicious smoothie recipes:
Ingredients:
6-8 Strawberries
1 Small banana
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 scoop vanilla ice cream (optional)
Method
Put all of the ingredients into a blender until smooth.
Pour into serving glass
Enjoy!
Apricot and Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
3 handfuls apricots (chopped or tinned)
1 banana
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons apricot jam
scoop vanilla ice cream (optional)
Method
Blend milk, fruit and jam together until smooth.
If you wish a thicker smoothie, add ice cream and blend for a further 30 seconds.
Pour into tall glass and enjoy!
Yoghurts
Yoghurts are a great source of vitamins and calcium and count towards their 5 a day portion. There are many varieties on the market and can be bought as drinking yoghurt, in pots, tubes or pouches, which are ideal for packed lunches too.
Fruit kebabs
Why not get the kids involved in making a fruit kebab. Children love to help out in the kitchen and are more likely to eat something that they have helped to prepare. All you need is some wooden kebab skewers (thin straws work just as well) and some chopped fruit. It's fun, colourful and different, so it's worth giving it a try - you might be pleasantly surprised!
Fruit juice
Most kids love fruit juice. Try letting the kids make their own drink by letting them juice their own oranges. It's fun and will encourage the kids to try out their creation. Other fruits such as grapefruits and limes can be juiced too.
Fruit snacks
Snacks such as raisins, dried fruit and fruity bars also give your child the nutrition that they need in the form of vitamins.
Fruit Salad
Buy a selection of fruits and make up a bowl of fruit salad, which they can try out. You could even have a plate of cream, cream cheese or fruit sauce on the table for dipping. Children love finger foods and enjoy experimenting with different textures and shapes.
Top tips
- Never force a child to eat food they do not like.
- Try and find creative ways to serve fruit ie by adding to cereal, spreading banana on toast etc.
- Include your child when you go to buy fruit.
- Try to introduce lots of different varieties of fruit, the chances are they will find something that they like.
- Try adding a scoop of ice cream to some fruit salad.
- Arrange a small plate of fruit in a smiley face for younger kids.
- Pancakes with some pureed fruit makes a nice desert.
