My son is 15 months old and he absolutely loves melon, some days he can eat almost a third in a day. It's not just melon, he will eat most fruit, we try to vary it, but he will aways eats it like there will be a shortage the next day and he always has well over his five fruit and veg a day. He is not over weight, he's fit and active and he also appears to be quite advanced mentally for his age.
What my wife and I want to know is, can we give him too much fruit or should we let him just have free reign over the fruit ball?
2007-01-08 05:50:16 · 17 answers · asked by Hendo 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
That's a good thing! My son's favorite fruit is strawberries. When he was two, he got his arm stuck in the back of the grocery cart seat with his fingers in the strawberry package around a strawberry! He couldn't wait to get home! He's almost four now and loves salad and any fruit I give him.
2007-01-08 06:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Dana H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is getting a varied diet of all food groups and he is eating a good selection of all fruits, then there is no reason to worry. Not enough children eat fruit nowadays and I am delighted to say my 2 year old will pass up a biscuit for fruit - he's got a great appetite and I am delighted by his love of fruit! Melon is essentially water anyway, so it'll do no harm. Keep encouraging his love of fruit as it's often the case that what they loved at that age is the worst thing you could put before them in a year's time! Do keep an eye on what he does have though as oranges can have a laxative effect.
2007-01-08 15:51:08 · answer #2 · answered by wee stoater 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him have them-but just be a bit careful. My freinds little girl was given free reign on "healthy" foods and is now overweight. Even fruit and veggies, yogurt, fruit leather, and dry cheerios have calories. By giving the "its always ok to eat this" and not settingup meal times and snack times durning the day you may give the impression that snacking all the time is fine and may have a child who still snacks when bored later on. Yes-eat healthy, but eat smart. Eat when you are hungry not becasue you haven't got anything else to do. I know a 6 yr old who eats veggies, yogurt and other "health" food when ever she can't find something to do and she is now wearing size 10-12. Not meaning to be a bring down. And of course-look out for bowel problems from the extra fruit!
2007-01-08 15:47:23 · answer #3 · answered by VAgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should be somewhat concerned by how much he is eating especially of any specific food. Depending on the reason he is eating melon it could be a sign of serious problems as he grows older. If he is eating it as a way to escape and begins to find food to be a substitute than he could develop problems later. I don't think that his eating a lot of melon is going to cause him any serious physical problems at his current age so I wouldn't suggest making to big of a deal out of it but every child should maintain a healthy and balanced diet. If you are concerned about his over-eating you should consult with your family physician to determine a course of action.
2007-01-08 14:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 5 portions of fruit and veg is just a minimum recommendation. As long as he has other food staples you should have no problems and be thankful it's not sweets he lusts for.
2007-01-08 14:21:56 · answer #5 · answered by vinylsteve 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in this case how can the term "too much of a good thing" be questioned? Look at all the obese children out here; give em the fruits and veggies for cryin out loud!
2007-01-08 13:59:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let him have free reign!!
The worst that can happen is that he could become a little 'loose'
if he loves fruit, encourage him as much as possible, they are so fickle at this age, next week he could refuse anything fruity, get it in him while you can!!
2007-01-08 13:57:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kids eating alot of fruit is never a bad thing..so I'd say let him eat as much as he wants..
2007-01-08 13:54:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as he's not having fierce diarhhea from it, and he's getting enough of the other food groups, let him have it. (Look at this way - at least he likes healthy snacks, instead of cookies or chips!) If he's refusing other food groups (like dairy or meat) in favor of the fruit, then I'd worry.
2007-01-08 13:55:31 · answer #9 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say as long as it's not causing problems, and he's getting enough of the other food groups as well, it is fine. My daughter, too, loves all types of melon.
2007-01-08 13:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by angelbaby 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋