If your child was eating their eighth apple today..

[hibbledibble]

When would you tell them to stop?

It's just fresh apple, cut into pieces. They are a big fruit lover.

@FelicityBob

I wouldn’t allow a 3 year old more than one

Nor would I. One normal size apple for a three year old is great daily, not more!

'Could I have another apple please Mum?'

'No, you've had one. Would you like a banana or some berries instead?'

Eight is utterly ridiculous.

@Justalittlebitfurther

OP in my opinion Mumsnet is the worst place to go for advice about this kind of thing! I’m sure your DC will be fine.

I dont think the op was looking for advice from subsequent post they were looking for praise and admiration about how wo fearful they are that their child is eating an excessive amount offruit. Because no other child has ever eaten anything green

My ASD daughter csn eat 100 easy peelers a day...then comes the tummy aches

I wouldn't say you're doing as well as you think you are tbh, that is disordered.

Has anyone talked about how fruit is the same as haribo yet?

Love a MN eating thread.

Last time I heard a similar story, the child turned out to have diabetes.

Due to either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance, the body could not convert sucrose into energy. This lack of energy caused an increase in hunger.

Is the child drinking a lot?

That should be - convert fructose into energy.

@Rrrob

Yes about 6 apples ago.

Same here! Surely you would think the child can no longer be hungry.

8 full sized apples for a 3yo is ridiculous! And you actually cut them up for him so it's not like he was sneakily eating them without your knowledge. His stomach is tiny FFS, why would you give him that?

I'd give them a snickers

I'd give them some yoghurt, cheese or peanut butter on toast as I'd assume they need more protein to fill them up.

I think one apple a day is plenty. Two at most.

okay more protein makes sense.
Eight apples is about 400 calories, the same as many sandwiches. So it is not a ridiculous amount of calorie intake.

@femfemlicious

My ASD daughter csn eat 100 easy peelers a day...then comes the tummy aches

Those are child-crack. They disappear overnight!

Ours grew up with fruit trees and when in season and for a good while after probably averaged 5-6 or more a day. Have never seen them have any digestive issues from any of the fruit or veg they eat. All have great teeth too. Wouldn’t worry me tbh.

I'd be concerned tbh, as I'd be worried that he is going to get into the habit of constantly eating, whether hungry or not. I consider fruit to be something as part of a meal or a snack between meals. Also, it's learning that things are for sharing in the house, not eating every one of yourself.

Are you able to offer some more protein/carbohydrates with the meal to help provide more energy and fill up?

My kids eat loads of fruit, the expense is ridiculous.

But that aside, they would not be allowed to eat copious amounts of one type of any food. It just seems instinctively wrong.

How old is the DC? When I was a young teenager I developed an eating disorder and eating low caloric density food it large quantities was a go to.

@Nocutenamesleft I also thought this came across as a stealth brag. My DD loves fruit and I do worry about the sugar content, but struggle to say no when she has a tantrum over it. But I like to think even I would have drawn the line before eight apples!

Generally, if my toddler wants more of something I don't limit it particularly (unless it is very sugary or expensive to buy etc). However I have never encountered her wanting a real excess of something like 8 apples 🤣 I would probably just say, no we have eaten all the apples today - you can have more tomorrow. Not sure how many I'd let her have first though - 2/3 maybe if it were back to back mainly as I won't want it to ruin her appetite for dinner!

Sorry saw the child is 3, my 2 boys (2 and 4) would probably eat the equivalent of 8 apples a day and I will admit to them occasionally having eaten 2 - 3 bananas in a row

8 apples is just so much fibre and roughage in their tummy though. Give them an apple and a flapjack or babybel or something!

I'd have (depending on their age) stopped them at 2 and if still hungry, they can have an alternative.

Above age of around 15/16, let them crack on. They'll soon learn what happens if you overdose on fruit!

[quote chocopuffs]@Nocutenamesleft I also thought this came across as a stealth brag. My DD loves fruit and I do worry about the sugar content, but struggle to say no when she has a tantrum over it. But I like to think even I would have drawn the line before eight apples! [/quote]
I think most sane parents would of said no more at around 3 surely?

Just seen child is three.
I'd only allow them one apple, TBH, before suggesting alternatives. Three year olds generally don't ask for food if they are not hungry.

Also I never worry about the sugar content of fruit. Nothing wrong with a bit of sugar for a growing brain, especially when part of the food matrix of fruit with all that beneficial fibre, water, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

‘ Upset tummies aren't an issue: lots of fruit and veg regularly consumed here. Given lots of peers won't touch anything green I think I'm doing well.’

Nothing healthy is ‘healthy’ when consumed in excess.
I think you need to evaluate your thoughts on food.

A kinder bar contains 12.5g of sugar, a medium sized apple contains 19g of sugar. You’ve allowed your 3 year old to consume 152g of sugar in apples alone today.
I’d be even more concerned if you let your child do this with bananas.

@SilverDoe bananas should never be eaten in excess.
Potassium in excess can be quite dangerous.