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What are the Healthiest Fruit Choices?
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Anonymous
| My almost one year old has gone on a veggie strike and refuses to eat anything I offer him. He will eat fruit. He loves pears, apple pieces, LOVES cantelope, blueberries and orange. I tried strawberries but he broke out in hives. Given he gets fruit at pretty much all of his meals, which fruits pack them most punch nutrient wise? I hate he is getting so much fruit sugar but I want him to get his fruits in if he wont eat the veggies I offer. Are there any fruits that are not worth giving him? Anything he can eat all the time that are super healthy? I tried mango, he ate one bite and refused the rest. I am so frustrated but also happy he eats fruit and hasn't stopped eating that. Any ideas or comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! |
Meconbear
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| Don't remember all the particulars but papaya and canteloupe have almost the same amount of betacarotene as carrots. Blueberries are very good for you too. As are bananas and oranges. Can't remember what else. |
Anonymous
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According to several sites I just looked at, it is guava! Never had one - maybe I need to!
I know apples are very good because they have a lot of fiber - especially in the skin. Bananas and blueberries also pack a punch. I did read somewhere once that strawberries are the most pesticide laden fruit - if you going to buy one organic fruit, strawberries should be it. |
Anonymous
| Thanks! I think the blueberries are full of antioxidants. I just checked a can of pears I have and there are no vitamins per the label. I'm sure fresh pears have something in them. I think we are going to take a trip to Barnes & Noble to purchase some sort of nutrition book that lists the vitamins and nutrients in fruits and veggies. I wish ds would eat his veggies but until he does I want to feed him the best fruits I can. |
Anonymous
| In general, the more colorful the flesh of the fruit, the more nutrients. So berries, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, oranges, papaya, etc. are highly nutritious (mostly in viatmins A and C). And apples and pears, although high in fiber, do not have many vitamins. Bananas are high in potassium, but not much else. Not sure about grapes, but I think red is better because of the darker skin. |
Anonymous
| all fruits are healthy choices and the best you can do is offer a wide variety of them and get your child to like them all -- this variety is healthiest. |
Anonymous
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I agree with the PP on the variety piece. But if you want to know very specific health information about each fruit, try www.nutritiondata.com. Type in any fruit (or any food) and it'll tell you everything you would see on a nutrition label and then some. That way, you can do your own research on DS's favorite foods.
Also, don't worry about the sugar. Fruits are not as high in sugar as many people believe (especially when compared to dessert and snack foods). |
Anonymous
| I think any fruit is probably good fruit! As for nutritional benefits, blueberries, pomegranate, and acai (which I've only seen in juice?) are really high in antoxidents, bananas are great for potassium, and apples/pears have some fiber. I'd say just mix it up so he gets a wide variety. Oh, and watch for an allergic reaction - I think people with strawberry allergies are often allergic to another fruit - I think it's kiwi? (I have fruit allergies too, but not to strawberries.) |
Anonymous
Kiwi is good, watch the blueberries though, too many can make for pretty unpleasant diaper changes. And any berries are going to be at the top of the list for pesticide residue. 
I think Super Baby Food has nutritional info on fruit and veg in the back. Maybe try some of the sweeter veggies, like sweet corn, sweet potato chunks or butternut squash (not in season, but...) |
Anonymous
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Op here, thank you to everyone who responded. We picked up the Super Baby Food Book. In the back of the book it gives a breakdown of the nutrients in the fruits and veggies.
I also picked up some carrots to roast with maple syrup. Hopefully DS will try them. I have given him kiwi but he is weirded out by the texture I think which is weird because he picks up all of his fruit and they are all mushy and soft. And whoa, yes, the blueberry diapers. I have had my share of poops full of blueberry skins! Yikes to that. |
Anonymous
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The oddest thing....
When my DS eats blueberries his poo smells like NOTHING. I can never tell when he needs a diaper change after BB's. He has gotten terrible diaper rash at the time from sitting in it undetected. I wonder if it my nose that cannot detect the smell or if there is no smell. Anyone else notice this? |
Anonymous
| Avocado may be the most nutritious fruit. Try putting frozen mango chunks in the blender with a small amount of liquid of choice and making "ice cream". He might like it that way. You can blend in blueberries and avoid the "skins" problem. Papaya is also very nutritious. |