Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Smoothies for toddler

15 replies

Bex268 · 05/09/2022 21:33

It’s really hard (impossible!) getting any fruit in its original form in my toddler’s mouth. But he loves smoothies. Each morning I blend a banana, six strawberries, and a handful of raspberries and blueberries and mix with some kefir yoghurt for a tasty smoothie that he devours.

Anyway, I keep hearing people say smoothies are really unhealthy and it’s got me a tad worried as that’s a lot of sugar each day I guess. I really only ever thought about nutrients.

My little one is autistic and I guess I would just do anything for him to eat well as sometimes it’s really really hard. He’s just turned 3.

OP posts:
EndersGame · 05/09/2022 21:50

Give them what they want - sometimes its better to get anything in them than nothing.

InChocolateWeTrust · 05/09/2022 21:51

Ignore people.

Do consider portion size - he probably doesnt need a huge cup full. But smoothies are fine as a medium of getting a healthy mix of fruit into picky toddlers. Mine gets constipated if I don't give her a small serving of smoothie each day.

PestoPasghetti · 05/09/2022 21:52

It's his teeth I'd be most worried about. I have a mouth full of fillings from being a smoothie addict during my teenage years. Would he drink them through a straw at least?

BertieBotts · 05/09/2022 21:53

If he's autistic, throw the rule book out of the window and ignore what everyone says. You have found something that works for him and that's all that matters.

ofwarren · 05/09/2022 21:55

BertieBotts · 05/09/2022 21:53

If he's autistic, throw the rule book out of the window and ignore what everyone says. You have found something that works for him and that's all that matters.

Absolutely this

jinglejanglemorning · 05/09/2022 21:56

Sounds fine to me! I have a teenage fruit refuser and I'd be over the moon if he'd drink a smoothie every now and again.

Re teeth - surely if it's breakfast it's fine? If it was a daily snack or instead of drinks it would be different but I can't see the issue if it's part of a meal.

Sniffypete · 05/09/2022 21:57

BertieBotts · 05/09/2022 21:53

If he's autistic, throw the rule book out of the window and ignore what everyone says. You have found something that works for him and that's all that matters.

Exactly.

Although, just make sure portion size is small if he's having them multiple times a day. If it's just once a day then a glass will be fine!

SunshineClouds1 · 05/09/2022 22:05

BertieBotts · 05/09/2022 21:53

If he's autistic, throw the rule book out of the window and ignore what everyone says. You have found something that works for him and that's all that matters.

100%

loudlylikealion · 05/09/2022 22:06

Watch his teeth - try a straw? And as PP said watch portion sizes.

PrincessConsuelaBanana · 05/09/2022 22:08

BertieBotts · 05/09/2022 21:53

If he's autistic, throw the rule book out of the window and ignore what everyone says. You have found something that works for him and that's all that matters.

100%! My son is autistic and id be thrilled if he ate any fruit in any form - you’ve done a good job to find a way to get these nutrients into him, well done x

Original poster
Bex268 · 05/09/2022 22:14

Thanks so much everyone 🙂 I feel 100% better.

He only has one at breakfast, no more, but I do worry about teeth.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bex268 · 05/09/2022 22:25

To add, he drinks them from a water bottle with a straw attached. He hasn’t quite mastered a cup yet so hopefully the straw will help his teeth. He does have a bit of a sensory habit though of keeping foods and drinks in his mouth for extended periods of time.

OP posts:
SunshineClouds1 · 05/09/2022 22:29

Give his teeth a brush after if he's holding it in his mouth

Neondevelitionist · 05/09/2022 23:02

Sugar kept against his teeth for an extended period is a recipe for a mouthful of cavities. I'd cut that out.

Fruit isn't that amazing. It's just sugar and fibre. Vegetables contain more nutrients and are more filling. Plus just serve meals, you don't need all this snacking and between meal stuff.

Oinkypig · 05/09/2022 23:43

If he is holding the smoothie in his mouth I’d be a bit cautious about his teeth. Don’t brush after, see if you can get him to drink water after and then rub some toothpaste round his teeth with your finger. I’m assuming he can’t chew sugar free chewing gum! But if he could that would help.

Fruit isn’t the be all and end all so I wouldn’t worry too much. Could you mush a banana into the yogurt and make a hand made smoothie? Blending/juicing releases the sugars which is what makes the fruit bad for teeth compared to eating a piece of fruit whole. The more blended/processed fruit the worse it is for teeth.

A smoothie a day in isolation is very unlikely to cause any real problems with teeth though.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page