Toddlers And Their Love Hate Relationship With Apples

“I run a daycare that offers breakfast, lunch and snack. We try to offer a variety of nutritious options, including apple slices. I always seem to have one or two kids who seem to love the apples, munch on them enthusiastically, but then always spit them out. Always–despite being so excited to see the apples on their plates. What’s going on??”

If this scenario sounds like one you’re familiar with, whether at your daycare, with your own children, or kids you babysit, rest assured, you aren’t alone! To the daycare operator, I would pose a question: how many of the kids who behave like this are between the ages of 18 months and 3years old? If the answer is “most of them” then your kids are actually right on track for their chewing development and feeding milestones.

What’s going on with these young apple eaters?

Kids this age (roughly 18 months to 3 years old) enjoy the juice from the apples and many also enjoy the crunching sensation but the actual act of chewing up the apple is hard work! It takes a long time to chew the apple slice to a consistency that’s easy to swallow. And patience isn’t a strong suit at this age! Additionally, apple peels can be a challenging texture to chew (and to enjoy). It takes lots of exposure and practice to learn to enjoy the peel of an apple.

Side Note: Choking Hazard Awareness

Apple slices can be a choking hazard for young children, especially unpeeled apples (Ministry of Health, 2021).

• At roughly 18 months of age, thin, unpeeled apple slices can be introduced, with strict supervision and eaten while seated at a table.
• The thickness of the slice can then be gradually increased as your child ages and gains experience chewing and swallowing apple slices.
• Whole apples can be offered to children around the age of 3, again, with supervision and eaten while seated.
• After the age of 5, the risk of choking decreases but it is still best to be aware and alert regarding your child’s safe apple consumption anytime you provide them with one.

Keep this info in mind and modify how you serve apples accordingly.

How to Successfully Serve Apples while your child is still developing their chewing Skills

Your child might need a while to learn how to chew and swallow raw, unpeeled, apple slices successfully (and safely). Continue to give them opportunities to try but don’t be surprised if they spit out chewed up apple pieces for months on end.

In the meantime, here are a few suggestions for serving apples in ways that are easier for young children to enjoy and effectively consume:

• offer thin slices of apples (start wafer thin and gradually grow thicker as your child practices)
• provide apple sauce
• serve peeled apples
• cut apples into “matchsticks” (thin sticks roughly the size of your child’s pinky finger, see photo below on left)
• try baked, sautéed, canned, or stewed apples (recipe ideas here, here, and here)
• similar to the above, provide apple pie filling (or the apple pie/crisp/strudel itself!) either from a can or homemade
• purchase apple varieties that have softer flesh and/or thinner skins

• bake shredded or diced apples into muffins (such as this recipe) or breads/cakes (like this)
• offer dried apples (they have a similar texture to potato chips–here are some or make your own like these)
• be ok with the chewing and spitting-they are learning, getting stronger oral muscles, and figuring out taste and texture. They’ll get there!

Best of luck on your apple adventures!

xoxoxo,
Briana

Hello! I’m Briana!