Fruit is an essential ingredient in any menu.
Although they are nutritionally very rich foods, children don't always like fruit.
Here at home, João Maria is very resistant to fruit. This resistance has been there since he was very small. I introduced all foods without a problem, and from a very young age he started eating everything that came to the table, except fruit.
I never wanted to give him purees or other more sugary alternatives, so I keep trying other ways.
See here some of the strategies I've used 👇
🎯Make fruit part of the daily menu
The best way to create a habit is to make it a routine, i.e., offer fruit daily.
You can present fruit in different ways, including as part of the main meal.
🎯Always offer fruit for dessert
A good way to introduce fruit into your child's diet is as a dessert option for lunch or dinner.
Since they are sweet, fruits combine well with this moment, and therefore, this is a great opportunity to get your children to appreciate them.
🎯Make a fruit salad
Fruit salad is a true mix of flavors and nutrients and a great way to get your child to enjoy several different types of fruit.
This is also a great technique to introduce a fruit that your child doesn't like into their diet, as it will be mixed with other flavors they already know and are used to.
🎯Take your child to buy fruit
It is very important that your child develops a relationship with the food they eat from an early age.
One way to do this is to include them in the preparation of their meals and even in buying food.
🎯Be creative
Creativity can be an important ally in making a fruit dish look more delicious.
Serve fruit on skewers, with cut-outs of shapes like stars, hearts, triangles, animals, in the form of balls (made with ice cream scoops).
🎯Make natural juices
Natural juices are a simple way to get your children into the habit of eating fruit regularly. You can try different recipes with them and mix various ingredients.
But be aware: a glass of juice can be equivalent, nutritionally and calorically, to more than one piece of fruit and in some cases, a full snack. For this reason, they should be offered with caution and never as an alternative to water.
🎯 Make fruit ice cream
With the heat coming, making homemade fruit ice cream is another way to offer fruit and a healthier option to traditional ice creams.
Take the opportunity to make the ice creams with them and turn it into a creative activity, diversifying combinations.
🎯Always be the example
Children base their eating habits on the example they observe in adults.
It's no use wanting your child to eat fruit when parents don't have this habit.
💬 What is your children's relationship with fruit? Do they like to eat it or not?