Can a child eat too much fruit?

[tortoiseshell]

Dd is 2 and a half and would live on fruit if given half a chance. She often requests fruit during the day, and I usually let her have it, but am wondering if she can eat too much - she does tend to chunkiness (not that I would dream of restricting her food at this age!!!) but fruit should be ok? Today she has eaten a whole carrot, raw, a slice of melon, a bowl of grapes, an apple and is now requesting a banana! She's also had some bread and butter and ham for lunch, and will have shepherds pie for tea.

[Twiglett]

doesn't sound like a lot to me tbh .. my kids love fruit too .. in fact lots of kids do ..

DS (5) has been home from school for 2.5 hours and he's eaten 3 apples and a plum (and a chocolate muffin) already

[joelalie]

Hi,

I would imagine that 'too much' fruit would result in very obvious consequences at nappy change time. I think that as long as she isn't eating fruit to the exclusion of a sensible amount of protein and fat it won't do any harm.

[beedybeedy]

ds discovered cherries when he was 'bout 18m old & ate 3 dozen in one day... the nappies were pretty foul, but he doesn't seem any worse for it (years later)

[sazhig]

sounds like she's having her 5 a day - nothing wrong with that imo!!! Would you prefer she ate biscuits and sweets all day instead?

[eastendgirl]

It does not sound like too much to me either.

[spidermama]

Fruit is very sugary. I definitely think you can have too much. You can have too much of anything, no matter how good for you it is.

I'd still rather my kid had too much than too little fruit though.

[matnanplus]

Not really but i would steer towards cucumber, tomato's,celery as well fruit.

[WideWebWitch]

The amount you describe is only 5 portions, which is the minimum daily amount recommended. Ds will often eat more than that. I wouldn't be remotely worried about this amount and she was gorgeous the last time I saw her, it wouldn't have occurred to me to describe her as chunky. I honestly wouldn't be worried in your position. So I'd say no, on the whole a child can't eat too much fruit, not really. OK, if she demanded 100 portions a day then maybe but not the amount you describe. If you're going to restrict anything later when she's older I wouldn't make it the fruit, make it anything that's not good for her.

[schneebly]

my DS is the same and also tends towards chunkiness (me and DH are big) but apart from some squidgy nappies I dont think it is a problem. You probably can have too much but it would have to be more than the amount you describe I think.

[sunandmoon]

My 8months 1/2 DD loves fruitS. I would definitely never discourage her on eating fruits. Today for example, she had 1 banana + 1 pear mashed for breakfast (and porridge) and 1 banana + 1 apple mashed for dinner/pudding(and bolognese). She has a wonderful healthy skin (i am sure due to the fruits). My dh and myself eat at least 5 fruits each a day... By not feeding ourselves often with sweets, ice cream, sugary drinks etc., we need the sugar from the fruits.Tortoise, it looks that your DD has a very healthy diet... WELL DONE!!!!

[tortoiseshell]

Thanks all! Specially for describing her as gorgeous www!!! I just don't think she has a 'stop' signal yet! Today she's feasted on carrots, cucumber and avocado! I am really lucky that she's so easy with food really (nothing to do with me, her brother is a nightmare!).

[dinny]

my dd is nearly 4 and adores fruit and veg. she is especially mad about apples, carrots, celery and kiwi.

sounds like you're doing a great job - I definitely encourage dd to eat as much fruit/veg as she wants...IMO what better habit can you teach your child?

[GDG]

Mine easily eat that amount of fruit in a day too. I don't see it as a problem.