Today’s post is sponsored by Dole. All opinions are mine alone.
Recently I was asked by a mom friend of mine, “do you struggle with getting your children to eat fruit?” My answer was sort of. I have one child who I have created a whole new food category for: fruititarian. Yep, L eats fruit all day long, if I let him. It’s the first thing that’s slurped off his dinner plate and he always wants seconds. On the other hand, J, who is six would prefer other food group items like pasta and dessert. (A kid after my own heart) There are definitely fruits both boys enjoy, like Dole mandarin oranges. And what they secretly do not know is that I buy the no sugar added variety. That way I ensure they are getting the healthiest options available.
3 Tips for getting kids to eat more fruit
- Involve the kids in the “picking” process. Kids are more likely to eat food that they had a hand in selecting. When shopping for fruit, bring the kids along.
- You are their greatest model. When they see you eating healthy foods, like fruit, kids are more likely to follow suit.
- Make it fun! Creating fruit kabobs is super simple and a fun way for kids to eat. Or create a simple fruit dish and name it after your child. It will make them feel special, and I bet they will ask for it all the time.
Dole fruit bowls are naturally sweetened with monk fruit concentrate. It’s a guilt-free, low calorie snack for everyone. At only 40 calories per serving, Dole fruit bowls are convenient anytime, even on the go. The Dole No Sugar Added Fruit Bowls are available in mandarin oranges and peaches, with pineapple coming soon! Find them in the canned fruit aisle at retailers nationwide. Grab a coupon to save on Dole fruit!
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Cindy Merrill says
atFruit cups are the “Hot thing” right now with my grand daughter- so I have no trouble getting her to eat a variety of fruits.
Jennifer M says
atWe build a fruit salad around whatever their favorite fruit is.
McKim says
atMy biggest way is to not keep junk food around the house. Then they will eat the healthier items we have.
BookGoddess says
atOne of the things I like to do is make a platter with fruits and vaggies. If I just put it on a table and start munching from it suddenly all the kids are interested in it and the plate is gone in no time!
Danielle D says
atFruit cups work really well to give them a healthy snack.
Amy Z. says
atWe often have fruit for dessert.
YellowTennessee says
atWhen grocery shopping every week I let the kids pick the fruit for that week. Letting them try new things and get old favorites is the perfect way to make sure they eat plenty.
shannonsfun says
atWe try not to keep junk food in the house.
Denise S says
atMy kids will eat frozen fruit, but other than than I’m the one needing tips!
heather says
atWe work together in the garden to plant and grow and eat the food. Makes eating veggies fun.
Tari Lawson says
atI always have me kids take 2 bites of anything I make. I find that they usually hate the first bite but often by the second they realize it isn’t that bad and will eat more.
Tricia G says
atI do not have any tips.
jessica edwards says
atWe started her young on healthier foods.
cheryl s says
atwe just started both at a young age on fruits and veggies and they’re older now and both eat lots of both fruits and veggies
Valencia says
atMy “baby” is grown now but I used to substitute salad mixes (the ones with lettuce, radish, carrots, etc) instead of plain lettuce on tacos. He loves tacos and didn’t pay attention to the extra.
Kristen says
atTake them to the Farmers Market and let them taste things and pick out some fruit that they like.
Just Jeanae says
atIs that not the cutest picture ever? So sweet!
Thankfully, my Superkiddo absolutely loves fruit & veggies. I agree that we are the biggest influences on how well (or poorly) our kids will eat.
Jennifer H says
atThanks Jeanae, I agree, but I am biased! 🙂
nicole says
atNo tips from me, my kids are super picky. Read everyone else’s tips though 🙂
Marcia Goss says
atI am very lucky. My granddaughter has always loved fruits and vegetables. I make sure we have fruit cups, yogurt, and other healthy foods on hand for snacks.
bebemiqui says
atHonestly, I’m horrible at this. My kids are picky eaters.
Jourdain Sanders says
atMake the food into fun shapes that make them not so afraid to eat healthy things, like carrots.
Christine says
atMy tip is to just keep it around in obvious places so they can grab some fruit (instead of chips or candy or something else that isn’t very good for them) whenever they want. I like to wash some grapes and put a big bowl of them out on the counter. Inevitably everyone grabs a handful of grapes when they walk past it.
Rachel says
atWe don’t keep junk food in the house – it helps them eat healthy if junk isn’t available!
Jenn Short says
atIf they are hungry and want a junk food snack, say they have to eat something healthy first. They will either not be hungry afterwards or will not eat as much!
Brenda Lacourciere says
atwhen they help prepare any food they eat better
Jiahui says
atMy son is vain. so I just have to say fruits give you really good skin, and he will take it! 🙂
Shirley Martin-Tutolo says
atgrandchildren loves all fruits and veggies, so no problem
Katherine says
atI try to eat healthy and hopes they mimic me
susitravl says
atNo problems with eating healthy here – we all love fruit and vegetables.
ellisfan14 says
atmy daughter is actually a really good fruit eater. It’s the veggies we struggle with!
l p says
atthe kids have been involved with decisions and food preparation from a very early age. thanks
Ashley Parsons says
atI don’t have a tip, both of my boys have their mommas gene of LOVING fruit. They especially love the Dole fruit cup Mandarin oranges. I can not keep my shelves stocked!
Megan Cromes says
attry to make it fun like a game.
Kecia says
atWe get our 4 year old involved in the preparation of his foods. That has helped us get him to try new things, including fruits!
Sara Haaf says
atWhen my son was smaller I used the muffin cup method and put various cut up items in them for him to munch on throughout the day. Lots of dipping sauces for veggies helps too.
Jillian T says
atI lead by example and also make sure that the fruit is in easy bites.
Digna D. says
atVery good post. It is important to start children eating right at a young age when their eating habits begin. Fruit and veggies are an important part of that.
Virginia Higgins (@thatbaldchick) says
atI let my kidlets help pick their fruits and veggies. When that doesn’t work, I sneak it in. 😀
Sara Wood says
atI try to make my sons healthy food more “fun” by making different shapes out of it and adding healthy dips.
Brenda Lacourciere says
atGood tips that im going to try
Brenda Lacourciere says
atmake funny faces with them. works every time.
Leela says
atThey copy my eating habits so all is good. They love fruit.
terry maigi says
atWe make fruit smoothies and she thinks its ice cream!
Monique Rizzo says
atI put things like veggies into meatloaf. Plus, if you don’t eat dinner…no dessert!
beth shepherd says
atsmoothies are a great way to add veggies to their fruits
Wendy R. says
atWhat worked for me was hiding healthy stuff in foods they liked… such as, carrots in the spaghetti sauce, zucchini in the muffins, pureed brocolli in the soup, etc.
danielle Marie says
atwe have never let my nephews know what isnt healthy vs healthy. they have no problems eating anything.
xdanimarie(at)yahoo(dot)com
Carol W says
atI guess i am lucky because my kids eat everything. I started when they were small giving them all types of foods and just kept doing the same as they got bigger. i guess they were eating it before they could decide that they think they didnt like it. thanks
laurajacobson says
atCarter was not good at eating his vegetables…until we did a container garden this year! We had so much fun with it…we had peas, beans, cherry tomatoes, green red and orange peppers, carrots, cucumbers and radishes! Carter helped me care for them daily…and when our vegetables were ready…he ate them all! His favorite was the peas and beans picked right off the plant! He loves them now!
stacey7smith says
atI’m a Aunt not a mom but every time they visit I give the a Juice Drink .
rochelle johnson says
atI blend up veggies and add it to the spaghetti
Lana Bradstream says
atThe only one I have is don’t buy junk food all the time
Merry says
atI sometimes mix the vegetables into the casseroles so they dont know they are getting more veggies and I make fruit and raw vegetables into fun items to eat
Erica B. says
atThey see us eat healthy and follow.
amy b. says
atI make 2 ingredient cookies using 1 over ripe banana and 1/2 cup oats. mix and bake. They’re so quick and easy to make and my kids don’t realize it’s good for them.
kimstclair39 says
atI have never had an issue with my kids nad not eating fruit. I started them young and they stuck with it
Danielle says
ati try to put as much veggies into the meal that I am cooking so the kids don’t see or know about it. Never had a problem with them eating fruit
Carol says
atWe try not to keep junk food in the house.
Kristy Thiel says
atWe try to tell my daughter that it will make her big and strong!
Jenysa says
atMy tip for getting my kids to eat healthier is to only provide healthier options for them to choose from.
Karen Drake says
atMy tip is to keep plenty of fresh fruit in your home for the kids.
Carolyn Daley says
atStock up on healthy snacks and bake fun desserts with fruit in it like banana bread.
Lisa says
atNo tips unfortunately, but they luckily just naturally like fruit.
kayla sutton says
atI have been very blessed! My kids like the occasional “junk food” but ever meal we have a vegetable of some sort then dessert is a fruit on special occasions maybe a brownie or cookie something to that sort=)
Leanne Godfrey says
atMy tip is to get them to make healthy choices and ask them, “Is this a healthy choice?” They always know what the healthy choice is!
laura588 says
atI try and make snacks healthy and fun. I make shapes out of them, especially carrot sticks, celery and fruit.
Laurie Emerson
Susan Smith says
atI sometimes mix the vegetables into the casseroles so they don’t know they are getting more veggies.
Stephanie Larison says
atOffer dipping sauces for veggies, always worked for my girls.
tallcapp says
atI think if they see me eating correctly and if I don’t stock up on “junk” they will eat normally and healthily.
Lynn R says
atI make fruit smoothies and even put in spinach and they will drink it. Plenty of ice too to make it more like a shake.
Lynde F. says
atI started my boys off young eating healthy-they love fruit!
Brittney House says
atWhen I let the boys pick out their own healthy snacks they get excited to eat them.
jeepingeos says
atI really don’t, except I eat everything I place before them..regardless of if I like it. Or not.
liz l says
atNo, other than grow up to be big and strong
Rosey says
atRight now if I tell my son he’ll grow taller, he’ll eat just about anything. 🙂
Cheryl Reinhardt says
atI tell them if they eat certain veggie’s that are good for them, they will grow up to like them, and they can feed them to their own family…. but first you have to eat them.