18mo Old Won’t Eat Fruits And Vegs Because

[Oneluckymom]

she has had problems with texture since she began solids. Mom and I have worked with DCG trying to sneak in strawberries, bananas, etc and vegs in with other foods like rice and yogurt, but it doesn't always work.

She will NOT eat vegs and fruit (I mean zero fruit) or even touch them!!

I talked with mom yesterday on what we should do, but neither of us has a clue other than sneaking it in to baked goods, etc. But then how long do we enable her eating issues?

Any ideas?? She is living on carbs.

[daycare]

she has had problems with texture since she began solids. Mom and I have worked with DCG trying to sneak in strawberries, bananas, etc and vegs in with other foods like rice and yogurt, but it doesn't always work.

She will NOT eat vegs and fruit (I mean zero fruit) or even touch them!!

I talked with mom yesterday on what we should do, but neither of us has a clue other than sneaking it in to baked goods, etc. But then how long do we enable her eating issues?

Any ideas?? She is living on carbs.

have you tried fruit smoothies mixed with yogurt or ice cream?

[Meyou]

I'd stop giving her carbs for a couple of days and see if hunger worked her magic fingers.

[Oneluckymom]

I'd stop giving her carbs for a couple of days and see if hunger worked her magic fingers.

I've been debating this too Meyou. I know she is "afraid" of eating the healthiest foods unless she is deceived into it by hiding the fruits and vegs. She just spits out the fruit if you put it in her mouth.

I really think she would eventually eat it.

[Oneluckymom]

have you tried fruit smoothies mixed with yogurt or ice cream?

Yes, there is a 50/50 chance she would...if there are no chunks of fruit in it. If there is a small chunk of fruit she'll spit it out.

She loves the blended stuff.

[MamaBearCanada]

Will she eat puréed food? If so you can do that and gradually make it chunkier. Also start by asking her just to lick the food emphasizing she doesn't have to eat it. Then have her place it on her tongue. Gradually progress to one bite then x bites. Success/approach will depend on whether it's a texture or control issue. If it's a control issue you can try offering fruit/veg first & she has to eat x bites before he gets something else. If you don't want a battle just keep offering & eventually she might eat it. Get the other kids to make a big deal out of how good they are. Offer fruit/veg as "treats" or dessert.

As for hiding fruit/veggies:
Add purée/finely chopped to spag sauce, Mac & cheese, scrambled egg, fruit juice, meatballs, meatloaf etc
Gradually make pieces bigger

Take her to the store & let her choose something she wants to try.

Try frozen versions of fruit/veg if it's a texture issue.

Other than that I'm out of ideas! Good luck.
The book Deceptively Delicious has been suggested by other Dcp for similar issues.

[Oneluckymom]

Will she eat puréed food? If so you can do that and gradually make it chunkier. Also start by asking her just to lick the food emphasizing she doesn't have to eat it. Then have her place it on her tongue. Gradually progress to one bite then x bites. Success/approach will depend on whether it's a texture or control issue. If it's a control issue you can try offering fruit/veg first & she has to eat x bites before he gets something else. If you don't want a battle just keep offering & eventually she might eat it. Get the other kids to make a big deal out of how good they are. Offer fruit/veg as "treats" or dessert.

As for hiding fruit/veggies:
Add purée/finely chopped to spag sauce, Mac & cheese, scrambled egg, fruit juice, meatballs, meatloaf etc
Gradually make pieces bigger

Take her to the store & let her choose something she wants to try.

Try frozen versions of fruit/veg if it's a texture issue.

Other than that I'm out of ideas! Good luck.
The book Deceptively Delicious has been suggested by other Dcp for similar issues.

I def. think its a texture issue. I've had her since she was 4 months. She would gag on any baby food that had small pasta bits, chunks etc. It took her a long time to just et the thick baby food, she would spit it out. It just got progressively worse with fruits and vegs.

I have tried applesauce with chunks of apples...she spits it out.

Thanks for the ideas...I am at a loss.

[countrymom]

I have one like too but she can eat junk food without a problem. She also eats carbs, which is not good at all. I also wonder if those carbs are not offered would they just learn to eat other foods. So what kind of carbs does she eat.

[Oneluckymom]

I have one like too but she can eat junk food without a problem. She also eats carbs, which is not good at all. I also wonder if those carbs are not offered would they just learn to eat other foods. So what kind of carbs does she eat.

ANY and ALL carbs !! If the vegs are mixed in with carbs like rice or pasta with a sauce she will eat it.

[Heidi]

ANY and ALL carbs !! If the vegs are mixed in with carbs like rice or pasta with a sauce she will eat it.

In that case, I would only offer the carbs unless they are mixed with something. Mix fruit into her oatmeal, put purreed vegies or fruit on her toast, vegies with her pasta, etc (you could use baby food instead of jam..sounds gross to me...). You could also put baby food on everyone's plate and call it "dip" for crackers, etc.

My oldest son was like this...a carb ****er, my husband calls it. He's 22 now, and still has trouble with a lot of vegies, although he makes an effort.

[jojosmommy]

Sounds likea learned food aversion or texture aversion.

I assumethe carbs she has to mouth, chew, and swallow? So likely there is no swallowing issue.

Since she was having trouble even as an infant it sounds like a texture aversion which can lead to outright avoidance of all kinds of foods -in this case fruit or veg-likely because of fear, either of gagging or of the texture itself.

Since the child is young, it can be dealt with easier now than if mom waits. Have mom talk to doc or ask if the local school district does feeding evaluations. They can determine if its medical or behavioral and set up OT or full on feeding therapy.