Hi my son is 16 months old and hates rice. He just refuses to eat it unless I add milk to it. He also does not eat fruit. Kindly help with any ideas.

Vidhya, try giving him khicdhi, things made out of rice flour, chinese style fried rice etc. add some natural colourants to the rice to make it exciting such as beetroot, turmeric. fruits also can be served in an interesting way--cut into different shapes such as stars etc using cookie cutters, in a salad form, as milk shakes, in custards and cakes.

Hi Vidhya, if your son eats other things happily and in general is growing well, then don't worry about his not eating rice. Children's taste keep changing. don't stress him and yourself about these things. enjoy his childhood.

Hi Vidhya, the best option I can think of right now is kheer! You can also add dry fruit powder which has almonds, pista,walnut and kaju. This will make it nutritious and wholesome!

Hi Vidhya, start in small quantities. coax him into eating that and once he does, praise him for his efforts. Gradually increase the quantity. add his favourite flavours to the rice such as butter, dahi or something else he is fond of.

Hi Vidhya, feeding him fruits is important. Make stories around characters who ate fruit and became very strong, children love these. Or give fruit in pureed form. Carry cut fruit when going to the market with him or to the park, where you can feed it to him while he is playing and distracted. when feeding him a meal, keep a slice of fruit also on the plate and give him a bite of it in between the roti bite etc. hope this helps.

Try some shakes or smoothies.