Are we born with our food preferences, do they develop over time or are they learnt behaviours from our parents and guardians?
A scientific study conducted by Aston University suggests there may be fewer genuinely fussy eaters among kids. They found that all youngsters fall into one of four eating categories: fussy, avid, happy, or typical, with only 16% being classified as “fussy.”
“Avoidant eating,” or fussy eating, was marked by notably elevated levels of food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, slow eating, and emotional undereating, while also being associated with significantly reduced levels of food enjoyment when compared to the other three profiles.
Senior Recipe Development Manager, Mimi Morley from food box service, HelloFresh, commented on how our food preferences sometimes echo those of our parents
“We often notice how similar we are to our parents when it comes to our taste,” she says, “which is all the more reason for parents, especially of young children, to encourage healthy eating and expand their palettes early.”
She adds, “Encouraging children to eat vegetables, fruit and other healthy foods can be difficult, especially if they’re a picky eater, but there are lots of ways to encourage your children to try new foods, including pureeing vegetables, getting kids involved in meal prep and cooking child-friendly recipes.”
Mimi’s quick tips for introducing new foods to kids
- Stealth Health – Sneak healthy elements into familiar favourites – blend veggies into sauces, bake sweet potatoes in brownies, or switch to whole grains. Add nutrition without it being obvious.
- Weekly Taste Adventure – Encourage curiosity with bite-sized explorations. Try a ‘weekly taste adventure’ alongside regular meals to reduce pressure and build a positive attitude towards new flavours. During the school holidays, this can be done daily which can help make cooking feel more fun.
- Food Explorer Journals – Create a ‘food explorer journal’ where your child can record their thoughts and rate each time they try a new food, crafting a personalised log for a rewarding food exploration journey.
- Use a Dip – Pair new veggies or proteins with a well-loved dip or sauce. Familiar flavours can make new foods feel less intimidating and more appealing.
- Name It Together – Give new dishes playful or creative names with your child, turning the experience into a game and sparking curiosity to try “Dragon Broccoli Trees” or “Rainbow Rice.”
For child-friendly mealtime inspiration, visit HelloFresh.
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