CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Time to Hit the Orchard: Study Finds Kids Really Love Apples

save article
profile picture of Anisa Arsenault
By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editor
Updated January 30, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

Great news on the first day of fall:  Compared to other fruit, kids are really, really into apples.

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics surveyed over 3,000 kids, determining that apples account for 19 percent of the total fruit they’re consuming. And this love of apples seems to get stronger with age; children between the ages of 6 and 11 are eating 8 percent more than kids 2 to 5 years old.

The question, though, is whether or not kids are getting fruit in its best form. Whole fruits are the most nutritious, providing necessary fiber and avoiding the extra sugar found in fruit juices. But the study shows about a third of apple intake is the form of apple juice.

When it comes to babies under six months old, you’ll want to avoid juice altogether. It can interfere with baby’s consumption of breast milk or formula. Plus, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that fruit juice has too much sugar and too many carbs for an infant’s system, contributing not only to early tooth problems, but diarrhea. The official recommendation: “It is prudent to give juice only to infants who can drink from a cup (approximately 6 months or older).”

When can you introduce actual apples? Baby will be ready for solid foods around six months. Look for signs like sitting up and the ability to open and close the mouth over a spoon.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

mom sharing a cookie with toddler son at home
Signs You're a Gummy Bear Mom—Plus, Why It’s Cool (and Healthy!) to Be One
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
toddler feeding mom some pasta while cooking in the kitchen at home
Why You Don’t Want to Be Called an “Almond Mom” (and How to Reverse Any Almond-Mom Tendencies)
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
smiling little girl eating veggies
Dinosaur Time Is the Latest Hack for Getting Kids to Eat Their Veggies
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother giving toddler a glass of milk
Kids Should Stick to Water and Milk, AAP Says in New Guidelines
By Wyndi Kappes
Advertisement
mom breastfeeding baby
Does Baby Need Vitamin D? Everything You Need to Know
By Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN
mom eating while breastfeeding baby in kitchen at home
Postpartum Nutrition: the Best Foods for Your Recovering Body
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
little girl not eating her food
Genetics Play a Major Role in Picky Eating, Research Reveals
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler food plate
Encourage Picky Eaters to Branch Out With This Feeding Therapist’s Tip
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler eating a snack with backpack on outside
Change This 1 Thing About Daycare Pickup to Instill Healthier Habits
By Wyndi Kappes
happy toddler eating with fork
Feeding Baby a Fish and Veggie-Rich Diet May Decrease IBD Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler eating an apple at home with parents
This Simple Hack Will Have Your Toddler Reaching for Fruits & Veggies
By Wyndi Kappes
doctor weighing child on scale
AAP Issues First Update to Childhood Obesity Guidelines in 15 Years
By Wyndi Kappes
homemade baby food in bowls surrounded by fruits and vegetables
Study: Homemade Baby Food Contains as Many Toxic Metals as Store Bought
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
young girl wearing sunglasses and eating healthy snacks by the beach
24 Healthy Snacks for Kids and Toddlers That Are Fun and Easy to Make
By Rose Walano
Is It Okay for My Toddler to Play With Her Food?
Is It Okay for My Toddler to Play With Her Food?
By Elizabeth Pantley
illustration of different baby vitamin bottles plus eye dropper
What You Need to Know About Baby Vitamins
By Rachel Morris
All different kinds of protein for toddlers including cow's milk, soy milk, almond milk yogurt and cheese.
Ask the Pediatrician: Which Type of Milk Is Best for Toddlers?
By Dina DiMaggio, MD, and Anthony F. Porto, MD, MPH
ADVERTISEMENT
dad feeding his baby at the kitchen table
USDA’s Nutritional Guidelines Now Include Recommendations for Babies
By Nehal Aggarwal
toddler child holding orange sip cup
Preschoolers Who Drink 100% Fruit Juice May Have Healthier Diets as Adults
By Nehal Aggarwal
Vitamins for a Picky Eater?
Vitamins for a Picky Eater?
By Michael Lee, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List