As a children’s dietitian, one of the most common challenges I hear from parents is: “They just won’t eat fruit.” Whether your child is fussy, sensitive to textures, or neurodivergent with sensory feeding needs, fruit can feel like a massive hurdle. But what if you didn’t have to pressure them… and could even make it fun?
That’s where this berry frozen yoghurt comes in.
Berry Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup greek/plain/plant yoghurt
Instructions
- Measure out all the ingredients
- Add berries, water and honey to a saucepan and cook on medium heat until soft.
- Blend until well mixed.
- Add yoghurt into a bowl and add the fruit puree until you get a thick consistency that you prefer.
- Blend until well mixed.
- Pour out into a container/ice lolly moulds and place in freezer.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours until set. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Allergies: You can use a plant based yogurt.
Why It Works:
✅ It changes the texture:
Smooth, cold and creamy—perfect for kids who gag on soft or juicy fruits.
✅ It invites food play:
Kids can help scoop yoghurt, squeeze honey, and blend or mash berries. Even licking the spoon counts as exposure!
✅ It gives them control:
Let them choose the berry mix, stir it in, and even name their own creation—“Elsa Ice Cream,” anyone?
A Bridge, Not a Battle
This frozen yoghurt isn’t about hiding fruit—it’s about presenting it in a new, safe way.
It’s a bridge food: something familiar (like yoghurt), paired with something new (like berries), with no pressure to eat—just explore.
Whether your child is a sensory seeker who loves cold, intense flavours or a sensory avoider who needs gradual exposure, this recipe is adaptable. Start with fewer berries, blend until totally smooth, or even freeze into small shapes using silicone moulds for extra novelty.
A Small Step with Big Impact
When your child helps make something, they’re more likely to touch it, smell it, and maybe even taste it. And even if they don’t eat it the first time, they’re building trust—and that’s the foundation of confident eating.
Need More Support?
Mealtimes don’t have to feel like a fight. I offer personalised 1:1 support for parents navigating fussy eating, sensory food aversions, or selective eating in neurodivergent children.
You can also join my free mailing list to get weekly food play ideas, confidence-building recipes, and expert advice—straight to your inbox.
You’re not in this alone, and you don’t need to force or trick your child to make progress. There is a gentler way forward—and it can start with something as simple as berry ice cream.
Written by Dr Kirsty Porter, Children’s Dietitian
