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A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is well known to be healthier and protects against a lot of diseases. Fruits contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, fibres, and other very important nutrients. No fruits are better than others, variety is the key.

Some tips to help your child eat more fruits:¹

1. Provide fruits as snacks: Keep fruits washed, cut up and in plain sight in the refrigerator.
2. Add a fruit as part of every meal or snack: For example, you could put fruit on cereal, add a piece of fruit to your child’s lunch, or add a fruit or two you want to try to the family’s dinner.
3. Set a good example: Eat fruits yourself and make sure your child is watching, toddlers learn by example.
4. Offer one new fruit plus a familiar one: Ask your child to try one new fruit at a time. Make the first serving small. Also make sure you serve other familiar foods they already like, hopefully including at least one fruit.
5. Have fruits everywhere: If fruits are within reach, your child will be more likely to eat them when they’re hungry. If they ask for a dessert, make that their only choice. Always have clean, ready-to-eat fruits sitting up-front in the fridge where they're easy to see when your child is searching for food.
6. Set a good example: Eat fruits yourself and make sure your child is watching, toddlers learn by example.

Dr. Julien LTEIF

Pediatrician

^{1-Adapted from Pediatric Obesity: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Strategies for Primary Care (Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics)}