Introducing Fruits In Your Toddler’s Diet

Toddlers usually enjoy playing with food – so fruits with their sweet tastes, and a variety of colours and textures can be very popular with your child. With teeth, come far greater menu possibilities for you child.

By the age of one year, the child’s ability to chew and his continuing need for calories should make solid food the bulk of his diet

Toddlers need t eat at least four to five servings of fruit within the span of a day, of which one should be a citrus fruit. Ripe bananas and papaya can be served raw. Apples, pears, apricots and peaches can be pealed, diced and lightly steamed, boiled, or stewed until just tender (to make them more digestible).

Fruit choices

All fruits are good for you little one, but some score higher in nutrients, which do everything from building healthy gums and teeth to protect against disease.

Mango, melon, papaya, cherries, oranges, apricots and watermelon are all packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C, foliate, potassium and fiber.

Apples, though score low in nutrients but contain high fiber and is a storehouse of disease-fighting phytochemicals.

Storage:
• Keep ripe fruits in refrigerator to preserve their freshness and prevent nutrient loss.

• Apples and citrus fruit will lose their taste, texture and some vitamin content after just three days, but can be refrigerated in closed plastic bags for up to two weeks.

• Unripe banana, papaya, mange and pears need to ripe at room temperature before they are refrigerated.

• Tender fruits like berries, peaches, apricots, and plums tend to rot quickly and should be consumed a day or two after purchase.

• Always sort and discard fruit that is soiled, bruised or discoloured.