When did my DD get so fussy? Won't eat ANY fruit OR veg!

[babypowder]

DD1 (4.9) used to eat everything. She particularly loved fruit and veg. But just recently, she won't eat any. I've tried:

• ignoring it, and serving F&V as usual
• giving her raw veg (carrot sticks, celery sticks, brocolli florets, etc) with and without dip
• making smoothies
• freezing smoothies in ice-lolly moulds
• stir fries
• chocolate fondue

But no. She won't touch any of it. I have managed to get away with 'hiding' veg in other dishes, like shepherd's pie, but if she spots something orange (carrot) she won't eat another bite.

I am terrified that she is going to end up as one of those 'statistic' children! (I also know that children go through phases, but I'm fed up with this one!)

Any ideas?

My DD has become fussier when she used to love F & V - which hasn't been a great as she suffers from constipation and is on medication. However, I just let her lead me and make sure she gets offered lots (she's very into plums and apples at the moment). Perhaps you could ask her at the supermarket which fruit and veg she'd like to choose for herself to eat. Perhaps you have already done this but it wasn't on your list! Maybe give her a selction and say which would you like to pick and let her put it in the bag, weigh it etc.
At home, if my DCs get a bit fussy, I always mix the fruit in a pot with something non-fruit like a bowl of dry cherrios with bluberries for example or chunks of cucumber with cubes of cheese and that way, they tend to eat it.
Does she eat fruit they give at school?

Ds1 is very fussy, eats only grapes and peas. BUT I recently discovered Buzz Lightyear and the Incredibles Fruit Smoothies, which are a perfect size, have plenty of fruit in them, and ds1 drinks them. I was SO happy!

i don't know how 'strict' you are with her. but if she knows she can get away with eating something without fruit and veg, she will hold out for it. if you say she has to eat it, or at least make a good effort at it, hopefully she the phase will pass. my ds is too young right now to really know what does/ doesn't work, but perhaps being a bit firmer would let her know there is no choice regarding this.

good idea merrymarigold - i do tend to say "I'd like you eat three pieces" of whatever if she refuses to eat something I know she likes. For new stuff, as long as she tried it and swallows it, I don't mind her saying she doesn't like it. Kids tastes change constantly - I never ate carrots until I was 16 and thought they tasted like mud! Didn't tell DD that though!

Would she eat fruit in muffins/fairy cakes?

I make normal fairy cakes but throw in some raspberries/blueberries (not loads), then to ice them I use a couple of mushed up raspberries mixed with icing sugar.

Is it the texture do you think, or maybe the temperature? Make some veg soup and puree it so there aren't any lumps. You can also make fruit soups.

Milkshakes made with fruit and ice cream?

Will she drink fruit juice/ veg juice?

Fruit yoghurts?

Try unusual combinations, a strawberry sandwich for instance.

I heard of someone who tried using food dye to do stuff like blue cauiliflower, green mashed potato etc for novelty value .

Sometimes it's best to not do anything, don't make a fuss and make sure she has a vitamin supplement. She'll probably grow out of it.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck

I really have tried everything - even made apple cake yesterday (yum!) Have let her loose in the green grocers, you name it.

We are quite strict with food, so if she doesn't eat the veg at tea, there's no pud.

On the bright side, she will drink orange juice (with a straw - think of her teeth ), and she had a bowl of tomato soup at lunch. She did eat a small handful of carrot sticks yesterday.

She does eat plenty of pulses (though not baked beans) can be persuaded to eat sweetcorn. Having read a few threads on this today, I realise that she's not unusual, and she's probably not going to fall over with scurvy.

I really must try to keep these things in perspective