3 Yr Old Who Really like Fruits and Veggies!! Question About Diet.

The most of what he eats should be fruits and veggies. You can make him a salad with some meat or eggs, etc.

Preferring isn't a big deal at all, it's great! If he is exclusively eating fruits and veggies and never anything else, try to get some grains and protein in there as he might eventually get a bad case of diarrhea, or at least try to balance the apples and grapes with bananas. It can swing the other way, too. Despite my appeals, my in laws let my banana loving son have five large bananas (he was only one) every day when we visited them and after a few days, he was backed up for a week.

Good luck,
S.

Fruit and veggies are great. However, he needs protien so be sure he eats some meats, eggs, nuts or beans. Maybe he can dip his fruit/veggies in peanut butter or humus. Calcium and some fat are also important, so you'll want to add some dairy. Again, maybe a sour cream or yogurt based dip would work.

I was like that as a child. Then as I got older, my system got more contaminated with processed stuff.

I just naturally preferred fruits and veggies as a child. Like your son.
Its good. I also took kids vitamins. Which you can give your son as well.
I however loved milk and still do. ie: protein. And I liked eggs and peanut butter.

I actually, as a child, did not like meats because it made me get migraines. My parents didn't even know that because I never told them. But when I got older, I did. I knew naturally, what my body reacted to. And my parents were astonished. Then, at a certain age when I got older, I would actually crave meats, when I was growing a lot. BUT... I could not tolerate any processed meats... ie: holiday foods at Christmas or Thanksgiving, hams, cheeses, etc. I just had to eat natural foods cooked from scratch. I even could not even eat breakfast meats... because it gave me migraines. I knew that. So, if we were out for breakfast at a restaurant for example, I could only eat ground beef patties, not pre-made processed stuff. Or I ate tomatoes as a meat substitute.
Again, that was my natural inclination of eating. My parents were so glad I was a natural born healthy eater.
But as I got older, well I ate more "junk" and my system got used to it and my system got less sensitive. But I still am a healthy eater and don't eat processed much.

He'll be fine. Try other forms of protein. It does not have to be "meat." There are beans, peanut butter, hummus, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc. Or try to make some smoothies...using peanut butter and milk. That is protein too.
Or, there is "Pediasure" which is a "meal drink" for kids... and it has protein in it.
Protein is an important nutrient and for growth etc.
Try asking his Pediatrician.

All the best,
Susan

That's funny! My 16 month old will pick meat or cheese out of something just to eat the fruit or veggie....although he is starting to eat more of a little of everything.

Maybe you could just give him a meat, cheese, or grain at a mealtime or snack time. I do that with my kids if I want them to eat something specific. Or serve him one of those items while preparing something else so he will eat them while he is really hungry. Then he can eat the fruit or veggies after. I find serving things at different times really helps get a better variety in.

I asked about beans in one of my earlier posts. You should look at it. There are some great recipes that you could try and he might like.

Good luck...you have a great "problem" that most moms would love to have!

I wish my soon to be 3 year old daughter was a veggie eater. Fruits, she loves but we end up stuck on mac 'n cheese most nights or grilled cheese, baby corn dogs... I want more variety but with just her and me it is difficult. Thank goodness she will eat fruit... loves pears, apples and bananas. I sneak in the veggies with V8 Fusion. If you are really concerned you should check with your pediatrician and see if they think you need to do much changing now. He should have grains and you can do that with cereal and fruit (you don't need to add the milk). My daughter loves the Quaker Cinnamon cereal- it isn't hugely sweet but she loves the cinnamon taste.

With my son it was all about veggies and meats. Hated grains and carbs. He was the original Atkins kid!
Try writing down everything he's eating, you may see he's eatig more protein than you think. Give him a few pieces of chicken, ham, turkey, fish, etc along with the veggies at dinner and peanut butter and beans are good too!

Wow! What a great problem to have. I am sooo jealous. Definitely try to sneak in the other things. My daughter doesn't like meat and as a result her iron is low. So we sneak it in when we can and give her vitamins. Also, you can sprinkle flax seed over your sons food. Is he completely opposed to eating other foods? Slowly introduce the other things cause he should have a balanced diet. But kuddo's to you mom for getting him to like veggies!!!

How about we combine your child and mine-- mine eats ZERO veggies!! haha!! In general, it's important to eat a well balanced diet, so try to get him to eat some grains and protein-- but you can get creative and find ways to mix what he loves with what you want him to add to his diet. Most moms have to hide veggies in things like mac-n-cheese, but maybe you can get him to eat mac-n-cheese by adding some veggies to it!

To find some very interesting nutrition and health facts that have been thouroughly researched, google the American cancer society guidelines on nutrition. Fruit and veggies rate high.

My 2 1/2 year old is the SAME way! He prefers fruit to a cookie any day! Weird... certainly can't be MY child! :-) The doctor did test him for anemia because the only protein he really likes is string cheese... Runza Jr. Cheeseburgers (but most times will only eat 1/2 of those would rather eat the mandarin oranges) and peanut butter and milk and nuts. He was just fine. I'd see if he would eat any of those other things. Also my son loves the yogurt, but only if I freeze it... he thinks they are popcicles. I get the organic yo baby ones in the tube. They are fruity tasting, but have protein in them. Organic can be expensive, but do your research for some of the fruits and see if you can go that way with as much as he is eating. Just be sneaky! Be a proud mama that you have such a healthy eater!

I second the congratulations from others in giving your son the opportunity to try and like the fruits & veggies! And you are wise to be concerned about the breadth of his dietary choices. In my own experience with my own kids over the years, I've learned that their preferences can change dramatically over time. They like cucumbers at first, and later in the same year, they don't (and so on). Point is, his diet in the long run will probably balance out. Just to be sure and for my own peace of mind, I always supplement with a really good multi vitamin/mineral AND a yummy natural protein drink for kids that also has fiber and good carbs (yes, I now market those in my mom-owned business, so feel free to send me a private message if you want to know where you can get them).
Blessings,
A.

It sounds like you need to figure out how to get protein in. Cream cheese in the celery. Hummus for dip. Cottage cheese with the fruit, etc. My son does not eat bread and most pastas, so I'll let him get his carbs from fruit & veggies. Enjoy the veggie/fruit thing and hope it lasts forever. Those are really great eating "habits".
S.

another good source of protein is peanut butter if he doesnt have an allergy.

One thing I have to do for my daughter is she has to take a bite of the main portion of the meal (chicken or whatever) then she gets a bite of broccoli or carrot or whatever. And we save the fruits for desserts, since they've got more natural sugar (and tend to give our dd the runs).

at this point, eating fruits is more than ok; its awesome. during a time where it can easily turn to "toast month" or "macaroni week" the fact that hes actually into fruits and veggies is awesome. keep it up. dont worry about meat so much, but try to get some beans into him; black beans on a salad or any bean on a salad is a good thing. yum yum!

i would be cautious however about your feelings about fruits and veggies. that can quickly turn a kid like yours who loves fruits/veggies into a kid who doesnt eat them at all. fake it. dont serve them to him and not eat them yourself, hes gonna pick up on that and "change his mind" because you dont eat them ... then you are going to have the struggle that everyone hears so often; how do i get my kid to eat veggies - which is a much harder fight than the one you have now.

find ways to like them. its common for kids to have to try something some 14 times to be accepted into their diet; as adults i dont expect any less. i hated artichoke, onions, mushrooms, eggplant, and couldnt stand the thought of fruit on my salad.... among other things. right now, i eat all of the above. it just took some bravery, willingness to try it, and eating it dispite what my head was telling me. and yes, i wouldnt eat any of those foods a LOT or in large portions, but i eat them and they are enjoyable none the less. typically, i put them in lasagna. ;) this is also leading to my next point:

make him combo meals. lasagna, spaghetti with veggies in the sauce, stews or soups, roasts. if he already loves veggies and fruit, then incorporate that into your cooking; you know he will eat apples, so make an apple chicken, he might then accept the chicken because of the apple. or he might accept the noodles (grain) and the burger or whatever you put in your lasagna because he likes the tomatoes or misc veggies. i have even put peas, carrots, broccoli, green beans or wax beans into lasagna or spaghetti, and you might be AMAZED at how good it tastes! another good one is chili; you can put almost any veggie into it and its so good! :)

write to me if you need some more ideas or help. your kid is just fine eating fruits - just make sure to offer him something from the grain/bean kind of food group (tacos anyone?) and even if he doesnt eat it or doesnt eat a lot at least you offered it. :) but also, like i said, be careful of the impression you are putting on your son by your personal opinion of veggies and fruits. its goingto turn into a conflict eventually if you arent eating them but he "has to". ;)

Congratulations- you've started your child out with excellent habits-how did you do it? There is a new book out called "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan, the author of The Omnivore's Dilemma. I highly recommend this book for a different perspective ( especially in this age of processed foods and obesity in America). I think if you throw in some nuts and have him eat meat only occasionally, he should have plenty of nutrients. He might, like Denise said, be eating more protein than you think.

Good luck :)