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Original poster

DS10 won't eat solid fruit but loves smoothies. Any recipes?

31 replies

turnonthebiglight · 16/06/2025 17:37

Anyone else with a 'smoothie but no other fruit' child?

He doesn't like the skin on fruit and bits/pith. Also no smoothies with banana or oats.

He does eat broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms and baby sweetcorn. No salad.

I have a Nutribullet.

Thanks!

OP posts:
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Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 18/06/2025 19:05

Brilliant. Thank you. He has had an avocado in a cocoa smoothie before so will try your recipe.

OP posts:
MyLov · 18/06/2025 18:46

turnonthebiglight · 18/06/2025 17:51

Does anyone have any recipes for a veggie type milkshake that I could put avocado in?

He also loves peanut butter, Nutella and milk.

Edited

We make a peanut butter, cocoa, banana and milk smoothie. We add spinach which you can’t taste. Avocado would work as well. It’s really yummy and, for me, satisfies a chocolate craving without me stuffing a couple of bars of milk chocolate.

It has a tbsp peanut butter, tbsp cocoa, 1 banana, enough milk so it’s liquidy, Handful spinach. You could obviously sub for avocado which would make it creamier. Sugar wise should be minimal smoothie wise, and still contains lots of nutrients and fibre.

I don’t worry about sugar from fruit, and a smoothie a few times a week is fine.

concreteschoolyard · 18/06/2025 18:06

Avocado is good for adding creaminess if he doesn’t like banana.

FortyElephants · 18/06/2025 17:58

turnonthebiglight · 18/06/2025 17:51

Does anyone have any recipes for a veggie type milkshake that I could put avocado in?

He also loves peanut butter, Nutella and milk.

Edited

Avocado is lovely in a sweet smoothie and as it's a milk flavour it just gives a creamy texture if you blend with bananas and strawberries for example.

Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 18/06/2025 17:51

Does anyone have any recipes for a veggie type milkshake that I could put avocado in?

He also loves peanut butter, Nutella and milk.

OP posts:
Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 18/06/2025 17:44

The not liking skin on vegetables rules out a lot of veg.

He's just had a spaghetti bolognase with homemade sauce which I slow cooked with lots of ratatouille veg, onions, carrots and cauliflower. He loves that (pasta is his favourite food).

OP posts:
RowsOfFlowers · 17/06/2025 09:40

FortyElephants · 17/06/2025 08:30

For sure - if the fruit is used to make the other ingredients palatable to kids then it's great!

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😊

FortyElephants · 17/06/2025 08:30

RowsOfFlowers · 17/06/2025 08:06

As I previously said - a smoothie, when combined with things like kefir, protein powder, nuts, seeds and healthy fats like avocados, I think there can be many benefits. Yes, it will release natural sugars, but these ingredients can curb the spike. It’s a great way to encourage more fruit & veg intake. It’s all about balance (I.e. not every day), a healthy recipe and yes, exercise…

Edited
Show quote history

For sure - if the fruit is used to make the other ingredients palatable to kids then it's great!

Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 17/06/2025 08:11

He has been to the dentist recently and all fine.

He used to pass his berries, peas and sweetcorn to his brother at mealtimes as a toddler.

He won't eat sweet potato.

I do rely on My Fussy Eater.com for lots of hidden veg recipes.

He has just started eating mushrooms which is great. I'll keep adding a few pieces of veg to the side and see how it goes.

OP posts:
RowsOfFlowers · 17/06/2025 08:06

FortyElephants · 17/06/2025 07:05

Not really actually. Glucose in small quantities can provide immediately accessible energy. Fructose is converted to fat before it can be used for energy. This is fine if your child is slim and active but not great if they aren't. Fruit is produced at the end of the summer for mammals to eat lots of it and lay down fat stores for the winter.

Show quote history

As I previously said - a smoothie, when combined with things like kefir, protein powder, nuts, seeds and healthy fats like avocados, I think there can be many benefits. Yes, it will release natural sugars, but these ingredients can curb the spike. It’s a great way to encourage more fruit & veg intake. It’s all about balance (I.e. not every day), a healthy recipe and yes, exercise…

Hermanfromguesswho · 17/06/2025 07:11

I’ve got a soup maker and it makes really really smooth soup out of any fresh veg. My kids love it. Might be good for getting other veg in?

FortyElephants · 17/06/2025 07:05

RowsOfFlowers · 17/06/2025 06:56

The occasional smoothie is fine - sugar is fine from time to time! It’s about balance. Also sugar from fruit is much better than other sugar.

Show quote history

Not really actually. Glucose in small quantities can provide immediately accessible energy. Fructose is converted to fat before it can be used for energy. This is fine if your child is slim and active but not great if they aren't. Fruit is produced at the end of the summer for mammals to eat lots of it and lay down fat stores for the winter.

FortyElephants · 17/06/2025 07:02

Children don't really need to eat fruit. The vitamins and minerals in fruit are available in vegetables and fructose isn't a good source of short term energy. If he doesn't like fruit don't sweat it.

heavenisaplaceonearth · 17/06/2025 07:00

When did he last go to the dentist? Not liking skin could be toothache/sensitive gums related.

RowsOfFlowers · 17/06/2025 06:56

LoafofSellotape · 16/06/2025 22:37

When you blitz a fruit it releases the sugar so your teeth are saturated in it as you drink it. When you keep a fruit as it is and eat it whole,the sugar is kept with the cell structure so released a bit then swallowed. Fruit should be eaten whole. No dentist will advise smoothies unless they are made with veg.

Show quote history

The occasional smoothie is fine - sugar is fine from time to time! It’s about balance. Also sugar from fruit is much better than other sugar.

RedBeech · 16/06/2025 22:48

If he likes smoothies, would he like pureed veg soup - like carrot, red pepper, onion or butternut squash and leek, pureed until very smooth.

I agree with PP who say the occasional smoothie is fine. It will get vitamins into him and help him like a range of fresh flavours. Mango, carrot and orange is good.

Blueberries with vanilla essence and greek yoghurt would be low sugar. I add banana too, but if he doesn't like it, there's no point.

You might need to sieve raspberry or strawberry ones because of seeds.

I love watermelon and mint but DC hate it. Might be worth a try.

Hayley1256 · 16/06/2025 22:43

My fave one is frozen tropical smoothie mix (add some water to this before blending), 1 ripe avocado, 1 banana (can't taste this in it), some Greek style yogurt, flax seeds and honey. Even my DD9 likes this

LoafofSellotape · 16/06/2025 22:37

RowsOfFlowers · 16/06/2025 21:34

There are things you can do about mitigating the sugar content, for example, not adding syrup or honey, adding water to reduce concentration of sugar, adding proteins such as nut butter, Greek yogurt and protein powder which slows down sugar absorption.

I am currently doing a summer reset programme by a leading certified nutritionist, and breakfast smoothies do feature. As part of a balanced diet that has minimal UPFs and refined sugar, I really think there’s nothing wrong with smoothies, esp if home made.

Id much rather consume this than cereals, a Krispy Kreme donut, Coca Cola or bar of chocolate etc.

Show quote history

When you blitz a fruit it releases the sugar so your teeth are saturated in it as you drink it. When you keep a fruit as it is and eat it whole,the sugar is kept with the cell structure so released a bit then swallowed. Fruit should be eaten whole. No dentist will advise smoothies unless they are made with veg.

AngryLikeHades · 16/06/2025 21:44

It is very annoying but I've heard from reliable sources that bought, pre made smoothies are nowhere near as good as ones thst you can make.
i dont even know why really, possibly not enough fibre.

RowsOfFlowers · 16/06/2025 21:34

LoafofSellotape · 16/06/2025 18:13

I wouldn't be encouraging smoothies unless they are veg for the reasons given already, they are really bad for the teeth as it's a pure sugar hit once blitzed.

There are things you can do about mitigating the sugar content, for example, not adding syrup or honey, adding water to reduce concentration of sugar, adding proteins such as nut butter, Greek yogurt and protein powder which slows down sugar absorption.

I am currently doing a summer reset programme by a leading certified nutritionist, and breakfast smoothies do feature. As part of a balanced diet that has minimal UPFs and refined sugar, I really think there’s nothing wrong with smoothies, esp if home made.

Id much rather consume this than cereals, a Krispy Kreme donut, Coca Cola or bar of chocolate etc.

RowsOfFlowers · 16/06/2025 21:29

turnonthebiglight · 16/06/2025 20:32

He has always refused fruit and veg with skin. He loves saucy things so I manage to do hidden veg sauces etc.

He takes a daily multivitamin. He does love the steamed veg listed above and will eat them every day but I do struggle with meal ideas.

He likes cheesy saucy things but won't eat cubes of cheese.

Which other vegetables can I try? He won't eat peas or sweetcorn as they have skin on.

Edited

Sweet potato? E.g. sweet potato mash?
broccoli, asparagus, leeks, cabbage, spinach.

Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 16/06/2025 20:32

He has always refused fruit and veg with skin. He loves saucy things so I manage to do hidden veg sauces etc.

He takes a daily multivitamin. He does love the steamed veg listed above and will eat them every day but I do struggle with meal ideas.

He likes cheesy saucy things but won't eat cubes of cheese.

Which other vegetables can I try? He won't eat peas or sweetcorn as they have skin on.

OP posts:
Original poster
turnonthebiglight · 16/06/2025 20:20

Thanks all. He eats at the table with us with no pressure. He loves cauliflower cheese!

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 16/06/2025 18:13

I wouldn't be encouraging smoothies unless they are veg for the reasons given already, they are really bad for the teeth as it's a pure sugar hit once blitzed.

RowsOfFlowers · 16/06/2025 18:11

Made this this morning —

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/257793/berry-kefir-smoothie/

Although it contains half a banana, you cannot really taste the banana. I’m not keen on bananas and it was very nice.

I disagree with posters dissuading you. If this is a way to encourage in take of fruit & veg, then great. This particular recipe contains half a tsp of vanilla extract so not a great deal of sugar. As part of a balanced diet, totally fine.

You could also consider smoothie bowls, which I enjoy with nuts, granola, fruit, seeds etc.

Berry-Kefir Smoothie

Get a probiotic boost at breakfast when you add kefir to your smoothie. Feel free to use any berries and nut butter you have on hand in this healthy smoothie recipe.

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/257793/berry-kefir-smoothie/

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