Wants Only Fruit

My daughter who is now 5 is the same way and I'm not sure what to tell you but I will say that our daughter will avoid lunch and dinner sometimes knowing that if she waits until breakfast she can have fruit and something bland (pancakes, waffles). She won't try new foods without a major fight and pretty much won't eat anything but fruit, vegetables and starches. I'm told this will resolve itself as she gets older but i'm not so sure... Our pediatrician says she is doing well nutritionally and within the normal weight range but she is still only 37 lbs and seems more petite than her friends. That doesn't bother me but what does bother me is that she will not eat a range of foods. There is no day where she will eat only eggs or only meat and it's a struggle to get her to eat any protein. We were just in france and she would hardly eat anything. My (french) girlfriend was appalled as her children eat whatever is given to them. She says she gives them a meal and if they don't eat it then they don't eat and if they are hungry then too bad and that is how they now (age 8 and 4) eat what is put in front of them. I have a hard time being that harsh but maybe I should have. Yes, it's great that she likes healthy foods- she definitely gets plenty of nutrition from fruits and vegetables but shouldn't she eat more than that? Maybe it's just for social reasons but we have had to leave a birthday party to get her a cheese sandwich because she will not eat pizza. I would like to hear from parents of older children on this topic to see if it resolves itself over time. good luck!

S., give yourself a break...you are offering her GREAT meal choices. It's okay if all she wants is fruit. She's getting to the age where food could become a battle. Right around this age kids figure out that they can use food to control their situation so try and go with the flow. Toddlers don't get their "food pyramid" in one day, they get it in a week, so if she wants to eat a ton of fruit today just go with it. Ideally, she will eat other things tomorow, but don't hold your breath! ;) We joke that my daughter is a fruititarian because that's all she eats some weeks. You do have to watch out for possible poop issues that may come with a lot of fruit, but don't worry about her developing a sweet tooth from it. I am a firm believer that if you continue to offer other choices, eventually they will eat more of a blanaced diet, but until then, if she just eats fruit, it's better than nothing!

My son (now two) has also been a good eater - not in quantity, but loves his fruits, veggies and fish, etc. The thing is, he'll go on a fruit kick for like 3 days, then green bean kick, then he'll only eat shrimp. During these times, that is pretty much all he will eat. And then once and a while he will refuse anything except goldfish for an entire day. But then it's back to a balanced diet two days later.
I was worried about this at first - but then his doctor told me something that calmed me down - as long as he eats a balanced, healthy diet 3 or 4 days out of the week, he's fine. And he does do that - on average. The bottom line is that you are giving your daughter good healthy foods - and she likes them. She will continue to go through stages (or kicks) of eating only certain things as she explores her relationship to food, and you seem like you're doing a good job guiding her through the healthy options that are available. She's got a much better head start than the kids who only eat chicken fingers and pizza everyday.

First of all, I commend you for having such a healthy approach to your daughter's diet.

Expecially in the 12-24 month year, the contribution of fat is really important for proper brain development (hence, the whole milk). In general, we all need a good balance between protein, fats and carbs. That's why the Atkins' diet is so hard for most people to sustain.

I'd continue to offer her anything and everything. You may find that she likes Special K's whole grain waffles instead of cereal. Or, she may like Danimals smoothies that integrate the fruit with regular fat yogurt.

I just wanted to commend you on taking such a healthy approach from the beginning. Good luck!

I know you are concerned but trust me, most moms would love to have your problem. So the issue is just breakfast?? If she wants fruit, give her fruit. I am sure a few months from now it will be something else. As long as she has a healthy balanced overall diet you should not be concerned.

hello
Perhaps it's not necessarily the FRUIT she craves but in fact the minerals and or vitamins that is in them... sometimes for example you crave potatoes and it's your body's way of saying, hey I NEED or want some Potassium..
it's worth looking into and or asking your pediatrician...
or better yet. check out the net, many articles on there.. Thing is, sometimes we think we are eating really well (which it does sound like you do) BUT our bodies (especially a growing child) may require other vitamins that we simply aren't eating enough of from the specific foods we eat..
best of luck

I second what Tori said. My doctor told me to look at my son's diet over the course of a month, not a day, and certainly not on a per-meal basis. So, if he eats only fruit one day, only eggs another day, and only cereal another day, that's totally fine. It sounds like your daughter has a great diet! I wouldn't battle over the fruit issue. Good luck!

My 2.5 year old has eaten dry cheerios and fruit for breakfast since she was old enough to chew. Not because it's all I'll give her but because it's all she wants. At lunch & dinner she eats her meal first then has fruit as a kind of "dessert". I think you're doing great and we're very fortunate to have kids who love produce!
P.S. another thing I've read that has stuck with me is that fruits & veggies are in the same food group so one is just as good as the other. That has always made me feel better about the abundance of fruit thing. =)

I think it is better that she eats a fruit rather than a cake, cookie or cupcake. Fruit sugars are natural sugars which are much better for you. Offer her a few options and let her go from there. She will be picky for awhile since it's a stage, but as long as she is eating something and that something is healthy, why not allow her to eat it?

I have nothing to add except to say this is the healthiest food concern I have read on this site in a really looooooong time(LOL). Sounds like you are doing everything wonderfully and keep offering her other goodies. But if she craves fruit it could also be for the texture or the feeling of independence as she holds the fruit and feeds herself??? either way Bravo momma!

I would just let her have fruit if that is what she wants. She has a a good
diet so I would not worry. You could always triy scrambled eggs,
french toast, pancakes for breakfast.

My son is 13 months and would eat bananas, strawberries, and blueberries by the pint if I let him! I second all the comments below. I think it's fine if that's all she wants at breakfast. She'll probably transition to eating other foods with the fruit soon. And if not, fruit is healthy and an ok "sweet" food.

For my son, some days for a meal or two all he'll eat off his plate is the fruit. If that's the case, I try to not give him fruit with another meal--don't let him see it or smell it :) and this way, if he's had a 1/2 pint of blueberries for breakfast, maybe I can get him to eat vegetables and a lean protein for lunch (I might pull out fruit after he's had some of his other food). That said, soemtimes it's fine to do what you have to do.

She's still at an age where she'll eat what her body needs, even if, as mentioned below, it's spread out over a week or a month.

Your daughter is developing a good habit. As long as she is eating lunch and dinner there is nothing wrong with having just fruit for breakfast. I used to eat just cantalope for breakfast when I was a kid and wish that I still do. Breakfast is an important meal, but fruit has so many vitamins and fiber in it. It's very important that they develop a taste for fruit and vegetables. My son used to eat a lot of fruit until my MIL complained and wouldn't let us give him anything but rice and meat first. Now he won't touch fruit.