We go through a lot of fruit in this house. I am of the opinion that it grows on trees, is completely natural and therefore must be good for you….right?

 

Well I thought so until a recent conversation with someone got me thinking.

Daisy (aged 2) had been going through a growth spurt and had a busy morning eating – perfectly normal during these growth periods. She had had her usual cereal, then a piece of toast (already more than her average morning). Then whilst my friend was here, she kept approaching the fruit bowl and telling me she was hungry. She went on to demolish 2 apples, 2 satsumas and a banana. Okay so that's a lot of food for a little one in one morning but as I said it was a growth spurt and not how she eats daily.

Anyway my friend said that no child should eat 5 pieces of fruit in a day, it was way too much sucrose for them and not healthy at all.

My initial reaction was what a load of rubbish, how could fruit be bad for you but then I started to worry what if she was right?

My girls love fresh fruit and it has always made up a large part of our weekly shopping list. I have always thought they eat really well. They have a healthy balanced diet and are not very fussy, in fact there is little they don't eat at all (Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, butternut squash and advocados).

Like most children they eat three meals a day with a few snacks in between. The majority of our snacks are fruit and I never say no when they ask for a piece unless I am dishing up. Other snacks include vegetables like cucumber sticks or raw carrots, perhaps some pitta bread, bagel or toast and sometimes it's a sweet treat like biscuits or cake. The girls clean their teeth x2 daily and rarely have sweets (parties and special occasions).

I thought I was giving them a healthy balanced diet but have I been giving them too much sugar without realising it?

Can fruit really be bad for you and should I limit how much they have? What do you?

As always I appreciate your feedback.

Karen x