https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:00:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685931 Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:53:06 +0000 caterw 2685931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Yes!! Don't stress about what baby is eating day to day, but rather over the course of a couple of days. My kiddo is 3.5 and loves "eating plants" so we have trouble getting her to eat healthy protein (she pretty much only likes peanut butter, chicken nuggets, and bacon lol). Repetition is key- sometimes babies need to try something 10 times before they will eat it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685813 Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:56:36 +0000 MrsSRS 2685813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It helps if I remember that a serving for my preschooler is about a half a cup (for a young toddler it is only about 2 tablespoons). So 5 servings for a preschooler is only 2.5 cups. That's easy to hit with a banana with breakfast, a small salad at lunch, some peas with dinner, and an apple at snack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685794 Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:42:17 +0000 LemonJack 2685794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Same here. We have chicken sausages that DD will eat, and she also likes lunch meat, but we rarely buy that. She will devour rotisserie chicken too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685663 Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:41:35 +0000 BSB 2685663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: Same here. Twins will eat eggs but not much in meats. I do give them sausage in the AM and DS might have one piece and DD won't have any. I did chop up the sausage into small pieces this past weekend and cooked it with her scrambled eggs and DD ate it up. </p> <p>Oh, my kids won't eat nuggets or cubed meat but they will eat sliced lunch meat and cheese. I need to remember to keep buying lunch meat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685486 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 22:19:24 +0000 snowjewelz 2685486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fruit is easy but veggies is hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685162 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:46:02 +0000 LemonJack 2685162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: She'll eat them in most forms. She eats scrambled eggs and hard boiled eggs the most, just because those are easiest for us. I would definitely try scrambled with your little guy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685156 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:40:16 +0000 hellobeeboston 2685156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG YES. Especially my super picky 4yo. </p> <p>The only veggie he will eat is broccoli, and currently, the only fruits he will eat are strawberries and grapes. I sneak veggies into dinners too.</p> <p>My little guy is easier, he likes veggie burgers for lunches and will most veggies and fruits we put in front of him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685154 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:36:33 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2685154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: does she have favorite way she likes her eggs prepared? I gave LO sliced boiled egg and he wasn't a huge fan. Scrambled in olive oil may not be so bad? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685147 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:28:40 +0000 LemonJack 2685147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, fruits and vegetables aren't a problem, but protein is. DD will happily eat eggs, so that's where she gets most of her protein, but really doesn't like almost all meats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685146 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:28:22 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2685146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think DS hits them all fairly easy. For breakfast he has a smoothie with a banana, handful of mixed frozen fruit and usually kale (that's a recent addiction)</p> <p>Snacks he will have berries. Lunch he has a fruit and veg on his plate (loves bell peppers) and dinner includes veg too usually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685141 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:20:40 +0000 LulaBee 2685141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 14 month old is SO PICKY already. She does love fruit but mostly only wants to eat cheese and graham crackers. She pitches a fit when there is something she doesn't want on her plate, and we usually give in. I make sure she gets baby food pouches daily that include greens in them. It's stressful. </p> <p>My 4 year old loves salad, but that's about it as far as veggies go. We are vegetarian and make super good food, but my kids hate it. I don't know what to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685122 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:00:54 +0000 sauerkraut 2685122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 7 mo old who is loving experimenting with food, but I haven't been focused on getting a certain amount of fruits/veggies each day, since I figure she's still getting her nutrition from breast milk. What I am trying to do is give her a wide variety and not give up on a certain food if she seems not to prefer it - it takes a lot of tries for little ones to develop a taste for new/different foods. </p> <p>I've found that varying how she eats the food works - sometimes I spoon feed a puree, sometimes I'll put a chunk of a fruit or soft veggie in a mesh teether bag (she'll often gnaw up a big piece that way), sometimes I give her tiny pieces to feed herself, or a BLW style big piece to play with and bite on. The variety seems to keep her interested in trying the same food over and over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685080 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 13:05:22 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2685080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fruits are no problem but so far my LO only likes cooked vegetables. To cut down on our food budget I only buy one or two meat products per week so we eat vegetarian at least 3-4x per week. The vegetarian days are definitely the easiest way to get vegetables in her. She loves vegetable soup but I always have to mop the floor and change her outfit after! Last night I made borscht and she loooved it. </p> <p>And if I need to I'll melt a little cheddar or put a few splashes of aminos on the veggies to make them more palatable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685036 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 12:24:39 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2685036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before DD turned one I didn't worry about how many servings she was getting. I focused on exposing her to a wide range of food (flavors, textures, etc) with the goal of getting her to learn how to eat. </p> <p>At 15 months it's pretty easy to make sure she's getting plenty of fruits, veggies, and dairy each day because she eats so often. She eats 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Most days look like this:</p> <p>Breakfast: fruit, dairy, protein<br /> Lunch: protein, dairy, fruit, and veggie<br /> Dinner: protein, veggie, and veggie<br /> Snack 1: fruit and veggie<br /> Snack 2: whatever I think she's lacking that day</p> <p>Typing it all out makes it seem like it takes a lot of thought to accomplish each day, but it really doesn't. And there are definitely days where it doesn't happen and she gets chicken nuggets, fries, and boxed macaroni and cheese. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685028 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 12:17:49 +0000 Meowkers 2685028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really worry about it day to day but I just make sure that LO has a balanced diet. She loves fruits and vegetables so she eats them at every meal and it's not difficult to get her to eat them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685020 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 12:00:27 +0000 BSB 2685020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We give them fruit at every meal (as dessert) and a veggies at lunch and dinner. So I guess I'm on track. Oh, I do give them yogurt at each meal that I mix with fruit or veggie puree, so they have that, too. </p> <p>The kids do struggle with protein, though. Also, I struggle with variety. They eat the same thing for lunch every day. </p> <p>Oh, babies are almost 17 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685015 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 11:54:36 +0000 littlejoy 2685015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a vegan child, and sometimes I feel like we have a hard time getting her full fruit &amp; veggie servings for the day. Her doc reminded me a rainbow of food is important, and to consider her intake over the course of a week. </p> <p>She's 3 though, and I think she's a robot who doesn't need food. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2685014 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 11:54:01 +0000 yoursilverlining 2685014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try not to focus day by day, but more over the course of a week. It's not easy, but I think we mostly get there. My LO is pretty picky, so while she's a good veggie/fruit eater for the items she likes, that's sort of where the line is. </p> <p>Also, my LO will eat *anything* they serve at daycare so I also have to remember to factor that in heavily. It's amazing that with their little buddies they will eat all sorts of stuff they then refuse to eat at home :silly: I hear the same from other parents, so at least this seems common. </p> <p>Also, multi-vitamin eases my guilt too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684958 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 10:59:23 +0000 Cherrybee 2684958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's easy with the baby because we give pouches, but she also loves bananas carrots, pears, red pepper sticks, broccoli, cucumber and will try everything we offer. </p> <p>The three year old is another story. She is really picky. I sneak veggies into her pasta sauce and give her smoothies (shop bought ones, she won't drink home made even if she helps to make it). She will eat apple slices, celery and cucumber but that's it now. She has never been a huge fan of food in general, but she's getting worse. She won't even try strawberries or raspberries, has gone off bananas and oranges, freaks if there's a pea on her plate..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684956 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 10:57:11 +0000 mamainthesun 2684956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some days yes, others no! So I think there is a good balance. I also offer one veggie I'm sure he'll eat, like avocado or cucumber. And then sneak some in, like with a couscous or in a tomato sauce. Fruit is easier because he loves them and he often eats some fruit puree in his yoghourt </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684949 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 10:49:23 +0000 Silva 2684949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry about it on a daily basis- I aim for an overall balanced diet over the course of a week. My daughter is 3.5 now and I have observed that she has some days where she is uninterested in anything but carbs and peanut butter, and other days where she eats bowls full of broccoli or spinach curry. She's an excellent eater compared to a lot of her peers and I try really hard not to stress about food (I think it can set up unhealthy relationships when food is a source of anxiety or pressure)!.</p> <p>That said: sure, she prefers carbs and would eat chocolate all day if I let her. But she also loves carrots, bell peppers, steamed broccoli, baby lettuce mixes, and most fruit! And we put spinach in her smoothies if she's having a "picky week" :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684902 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:10:17 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2684902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: ha ha, I figured this stuff matters more after 1, but LO is already showing signs of preferences. Pretty soon he will just have one meal a day at home five days a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684897 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:05:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2684897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gentlelunette: omg yes! The first week LO ate solids I was home with him and fed him cooked veggies. The second week DH was home with him and he doesn't cook (bake/ steam). LO had all (sweet) fruit. When I came back home and tried introduced beets and broccoli LO just stalled and ate so s l o w l y. We added some strawberries and removed the beets and boom he was finished within 10 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684896 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:05:01 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2684896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait, what age are we talking about here? Before age 1, I'm definitely not worried about it. They get what they get in addition to their milk. </p> <p>After age one is when we start trying to round things out. But still they just kinda get what they get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684884 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 08:55:03 +0000 Anagram 2684884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we usually reach 4-5 servings of fruit/veg a day, but I feel like we don't offer enough variety, and my kids end up eating the same fruits and veggies over and over.</p> <p>Like, they will eat steamed broccoli and carrots all day long. They are decent about sweet potatoes and cauliflower, so I tend to serve those 4 the most. But everything else they are iffy on and I don't serve them as frequently. Fruits they are a little more varied--lots of berries, bananas, and of course they still eat at least 1 fruit/veg pouch a day as a snack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684878 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 08:47:15 +0000 gentlelunette 2684878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fruit is easy. Veggies are SO hard! My daughter is a great eater but she is really not a veggie fan at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684845 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 06:57:28 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2684845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I find it difficult. I have a semi-picky eater who doesn't like fruit. She'll eat apples and blueberries and occasionally some bite of a banana (it took her until 14 months before she would accept banana even though I kept trying). She loves peas and likes broccoli and cucumber. I usually make a mixed veggie meal at lunch (includes at least 3 different veggies typically) for my daughter and the other toddler I watch and then our morning and afternoon snack will usually include a fruit. In their breakfast smoothies I put oats, banana, mixed frozen berries, and kale or spinach if I remember and have it. Every night last week her dinner was something plus steamed broccoli or peas because I know she'll eat it. She also enjoys carbs so bread and pasta mixed with a sauce or a veggie soup or butter is a big hit with her. </p> <p>She still eats pouches sometimes and I like to think she's getting some good missed stuff from those. I'm hoping as she gets older she'll broaden her horizons a bit more for fruits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daily-5-fruits-amp-veggies#post-2684842 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 06:47:21 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2684842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you find it EASY or HARD to get your LO to eat the recommended 5 servings of fruits &amp; veggies? How old are they? </p> <p>We have been feeding LO table food for the past two weeks now in addition to fruit/ veg blend puree jars. (First time was at daycare with pineapple chunks and yes he choked and was helped by a teacher :sad: )</p> <p>Except for two dinners when I gave him salmon LO is eating like a fruit bat. :silly: We introduced toast this past weekend, which LO loved and picked out to eat before getting to his bananas and strawberries. We are letting daycare give him cheese starting today. I can already see how food preferences could lead to giving into just serving his favorite foods especially as we transition him to eat what we eat too. </p>