Hello moms,
I have been trying without any success for the past 6-7 months to get my son to eat fruit that has been cut up. I have literally tried every type, cut up in small pieces, larger pieces, rolled in crushed cheerios, mixed with baby food fruit, and he just throws it off the table or spits it out. I have even put it in the food processor and mixed it with the store bought food and he still won't eat it. He will only eat fruit out of a level 2 baby food jar (gerber, beech nut, etc...) He eats all other foods without any problems. Tonight I was at my wits end when I offered 2 segments of mandarin oranges and they went flying off the table and onto our dog! My best thought is that he has some kind of texture issue, but it still is baffling me because not all fruit has the same texture! Has anyone else experienced this aversion to solid fruit? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks so much!
Thank you all for your responses. I have decided to take a break from the fruit for a week or two and just focus on veggies & meat now. We just recently introduced the fork and he loves it, so maybe once I start putting fruit back out there, he'll use the fork with the fruit too!(let's hope!) I also plan to try the smoothie ideas, but he is weird about cold things (hates ice cream can you believe it?), so we'll try that maybe at room temp. Glad to know that there are others out there who have faced the same issue - I truly think he's got a texture problem, and hopefully he will grow out of it. Thanks again, yall are lifesavers!
My 16 mo son refuses to eat fruit too, it is so frustrating. Once in a while he will eat banana, but that is it. I have tried everything too. However, my husband makes smoothies and my son loves those, so at least he is getting all the vitamins that way?! Sometimes when we go out to eat he will eat dried fruit, the strawberry and blueberry kind, maybe you could try dried fruit? Good luck.
I just wouldn't worry about it. Take a fruit break and try again in a week or two. My 2 year old has alternately loved and hated a variety of foods depending on his age (loved,loved,loved sweet potato baby food -HATES "real" sweet potatoes) -he will eat blueberries all day long at my parent's house, but will not eat them here, etc. If he eats some veggies and other vitamin-rich foods, he'll be fine until he finds a fruit he likes. My child loves applesauce and the different "berry" sauces -and Mott's makes one with calcium added. These are usually full of Vitamin C. Reintroduce some fruit to him after a fruit-free week or two or whenever you happen to be eating some of it. One note -my boy loves most fruit, but he HATES mandarin oranges! Loves plain, just peeled oranges though.
Have you tried putting the fruit into the the stage 2 container. It just might be a mind over matter thing. It might help if he sees it comming out of the container. It could fool him into thinking it is the stage 2 fruit.
Sorry for your frustration! We've had success w/steaming pears & apples to a pretty soft consistancy and then cut up in small pieces. Mine like 100% pumpkin mixed in w/yobaby yogurt, avacado the too love which has some great vitamins. The pumpkin has great fiber. Hope this helps, I'm sure you've already tried these.
jf
Have you tried making fruit smoothies or I make healthy ice cream with frozen organic fruit and 1/2 cup of milk and food process it until it's the consistency of ice cream oh yeah I add some honey too and the kids gobble it up.
I think you are right on with the texture thing.
I my self have the same issue. I have a texture sensativity, I can't eat certain foods because of a change in texture. Try fruits that have the same texture through out the whole fruit, like melon. For the most part up until I was an adult the only fruits I would eat were apples and bananas. both have no texture changes, and with the bananas they had to be almost green.
I would make him a smoothie. My kids love fruits but smoothies worked. Can he sip out of a straw? This is fun too. You can put the baby food jar in there, real fruits or frozen fruits, a little milk, even a little yogurt or ice cream. A treat and nutritious. Sometimes this was her meal bc she did not eat other stuff at the time. Apple juice in there is also good- not a lot. or any juice. and water.
Would he eat them if you made the watermelons like blocks. or maybe used a cookie cutter for other fruit? I sometimes cut the apples like long strips like fries. This is fun. I don't call them fries. She just likes them this way.
Another thing that has helped me TONS-- i have a little doll or car or anything and say-- ok car, let's taste this food or banana or whatever. Then she wants it.
Don't give up but don't really force it.
Good luck.
P., it does sound like he does have a texture issue. The same thing happened with my now 2 1/2yo when she was younger and actually is still going on. She has a problem eating and touching certain textures with food and even toys.
She eats no fruit. I can get her to now eat bites of an apple if the apple is whole. I got her to eat some watermelon from the rind last month, but still she will not touch it. Occasionally a banana, but that's it. So she eats fruit about once a month. Don't worry about it right now...veggies are more important and eventually you'll learn which fruit and how he'll eat it.
One thing I have done recently in the last two weeks (just wanted to tell you in case he does this) with my daughter is I don't fix her a plate anymore. She eats off mine. She got so picky that she wouldn't eat anything..no veggies either. So, now I fix my plate and she tells me what she wants off of my plate. The other night, she kept asking for green beans (from our garden). I actually had to get up and get a second helping and continue feeding her. It has been wonderful! My boys never did this....she dealt me a handful of brand new cards! Good luck!
Hi P.!
I do not have a problem with my kids and fruits...they love them. I did however, want to let you know that my best friend (since childhood) has a brother that will not eat fruits or vegetables of any kind. And he has always been this way. His mother and father finally quit trying to get to eat when he was about 7. The did everything you have tried and continued as he grew. It got to the point where they would have a stand off at the dinner table. No getting up until he finished or at least tried some of the vegetables. I pray your son likes juice and is able to get vitamins through that means. Good luck!!!
M.
My sone is 16 months and has just started eating fruits a few months ago. He would never eat the baby fruit in a jar, not sure why. But I just gave it time and now he does well with real fruit. He will come around. As others have said put some fruit on his tray with other food and let him choose what he wants to eat. He may pick it up and put it in his mouth and then spit it out but eventually he will start eating it. My son still wants nothing to do with any Juice, which is fine with me. He drinks Milk and Water so I can't complain. Good Luck.
When i want my little one to eat something that i think will be an issue, i put it on the table a little bit out of his reach. After a few minutes he is dieing to get his hands on some. But, my advice would be son't worry about it. If he likes the baby food variety, keep giving it to him. Then, in a few months, try again. Their tasts change so quickly at this age. As long as he is healthy and getting his nutrition, don't stress over food.
I would keep trying. It often takes 10-15 tries, maybe more depending on the kid! Give a couple choices on his plate and don't stress....he's come around. Would he like to "hold" a bit of bananna? Try giving him his fork and letting him "spear" his fruit. Also, try fresh AND canned in water. See if he prefers one over the other. Good luck!!
Have you tried a fruit net? We all know how kids love new toys..you simply put the fruit into it and he chews on the fruit net...he will get the juice benefit, but not the worry of feeling the texture of the fruit...you can pick it up at Walmart, etc...hope this helps.:)
I am actually a very young grandmother of 4 grandchildren. 3 of them are only 1 yr old. I also had a daycare in my home for 3 yrs. when my children were young because I wanted to raise them myself. I think you might be a little too focused on the fruit. Have you tried just putting it on his tray when everyone else is sitting down to eat at the same time? And not making anything special about the fruit. How about a good size piece of banana that he can pick up and squeeze through his fingers if he wants to? Is he willing to drink juice? Are you giving him any vitamins? I don't claim to be an expert. These are just ideas I thought of. Sometimes children really sense what we are trying to get them to do and it becomes a big deal. Then it is a negative experience. IF he still likes the consistency of the fruit in babyjar form it won't last forever and at least he is willing to eat it.
Hi P.-
My son didn't eat much of anything for a long time...past 18 months. The best thing that worked for me was to not make a big deal of it...they are just learning more independence and by making a big deal it can become a control issue more than anything. I would wait and just keep offering it along with other foods. The first thing my son ever really went for were berries. I gave him a bowl full of all different kinds of berries and he went to town. On the other hand I notice he will eat a lot of something for a few days or even a week and then not touch them again for a little while. One book that one of my friends raves about for her picky eater is Deceptively Delicious...it helps you hide good foods in things kids naturally seem to like.
Good luck...I think it is likely just a phase and will pass over time!
W.
P.S. While my son doesn't have a problem with fruit one thing I notice he LOVES is smoothies. I will often mix a banana, milk and ice in a blender or other fruit and he gobbles it down...it is better than just straight just and he always seems to really enjoy it.
Hey P.,
Just thought I would offer some advice take it or leave it.Maybe if you just wait a little while and serve fruit again and maybe at times when he's really hungry or in a good mood with no pressure involved. Maybe just put it in front of him with some other foods and just don't make a big deal out of it if he doesn't accept it. Never stop trying but don't worry about it.There are other ways of getting vitamin c and other nutrients.You know what? I think you must be a good mother who really cares for your children and God will reward you for that. Be patient and all will be fine. I wish you success in this and all the things that really matter. Sincerely, S.
he might be a little old for this, but have you tried those mesh little things (i can't remember what they're officially called) that hold fruit and babies can suck them and get the juice out of it? My 7 month loves to suck the death out of these things?!!? Granted he is teething and isn't old enough to eat solid foods yet, but he loves it. NOne of the actual fruit pieces seep through the mesh ... just a thought...
I would try dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apples, etc.) As long as your son has his molars, he should be able to chew them up pretty well. My son, now 26 mos, was the same way. I always thought it was a texture thing, also. He eventually grew out of it, and will now eat ALL fruits. Good luck and don't give up!!
I have not experienced this with my daughter. These are the thoughts that I had when reading what you wrote. Maybe he doesn't need fruit right now. We all have preferences one way or another whether it is food or something else. There is a great new organic baby food on the market found in the freezer section that may help. I was a particularly discerning eater as a child. I am sure I drove everyone crazy. At least you have the level 2 baby food for the nutrition factor. My guess is that he will likely change when he is older and sees other children eating such foods. How wonderful he is eating his vegetables! Sorry I could not be of more help as far as advice for fixing the challenge. Much luck in finding your answers!
