Healthy dessert alternatives for your los

[A_C]

Hi!

I currently prepare DD's meals and have resorted to giving her yogurt and apple sauce as well as Earth's Best organic jarred food for dessert (4.5 ounce jars of apple peachbarley; pear apple oatmeal etc.).  we love the earth's Best jarred food as they have no added sugar, is a good source of calcium and high in calories...I guess I was extremely traumatized when DD lost a considerable amt. of weight at around 8 months old and those jars were such a great help in adding calories to her meals.  I try to feed DD organic or all natural foods without any added salt or sugar (organic or otherwise).  At this point DH and I have discussed finally ending the jarred food for dessert and perhaps try more fresh fruit (healthier, provides more bulk and roughage etc.). Incidentally, she does have a mashed banana every morning but DH and I believe that she needs more fruit than this, in a day.

Perhaps I am finding the thought of transitioning a bit daunting so would appreciate any suggestions you may have. 

TIA,
Ana

[mari]

Peaches and Nectarines are nice and soft. 
I cut up pieces of fruit as a snack every morning and afternoon.  Usually, apple, mandarins, grapes (cut) plums, banana (strangely all seem to be going off these???) strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (mmmm, my personal favourite)

Also, totally off the subject of fruit, but what about offering cheese as an alternative to dessert.  It is good for the teeth (so my HV told me)

[aisling]

DH and I have always stayed away from fruit after meals. Actually we tend to consume most of our fruit in the mornings only.  I find that after a meal when you add fruit to the digestive process, there is a lot of "fermentation" going on, IYKWIM? 

SO, as a family we have our fruit in the a.m. Nello has never been a fruit fan, but has really exploded in this area in the last 2 months, he will eat:

Apples
Applesauce (sugarless)
bananas (some days yes, some days no)
pears
prunes
dried apricots
raisins
fruit leathers
figs

HE LOVES at the moment:
Pineapple
Any kind of melon, especially watermelon
mandarins in light syrup

We offer a lot, but still refuses:
All berries
grapes
mango
Yet will eat the flavouring of these such as yogurt.

HTH,

Aisling x

[mari]

Expensive taste hey Stacy!!!

What a man! 

[A_C]

Aisling, Stacy and Mari...thank you sooo much for the ideas!    And yes...Mari I think we will offer cheese (which she just loves) in the evenings in place of fruit. So are berrie okay for a 16 month old? I don't know why I thought I should be careful about introducing them too soon...maybe I was a bit too cautious here since you offer them berries. 
Thank you all, again!

[TDR'smom]

kaleb loves his berries, especially the more expensive ones like raspberries  lol.

That little stinker!!   

Tyler also loves his fresh fruit.  I don't think he has yet realized that it is not the same thing as candy, as when he asks for a lollipop, I can usually distract him with melon or pear.

So far he eats...

Apples
Applesauce
Pears (loves them)
Any Melon
Bananas
Dried pineapple

I have not give him many berries except when they come in yogurt.  I am too lazy to wash them......   

[A_C]

Thanks Stacy...I will try offering her berries then...though I will have to try and avoid the expensive ones...as it is DD's food is pretty expensive being mostly organic or all natural...forget Dh and I...LOL!

Judy...I actually find the whole fruit preparation process daunting as it is more work for now...as I am generally too lazy to wash, peel, dice etc.  Hopefully here soon she will be eating them like a pro and I won't have to prepare as much....