Children across the UK aren't enjoying the benefits of a varied diet, as new research reveals that the average child under the age of 10 eats just 5 meal types for their evening meal; whilst just 19% have vegetables every dinner time.
Parenting on Female First
When asked to elaborate on what specific meals their child ate on a most regular basis, the top five results amongst respondents were revealed to be as follows:
1) Spaghetti bolognese- 43%
2) Sausage and chips- 40%
3) Roast dinner- 37%
4) Sausage and mash- 35%
5) Fish fingers and chips- 35%
When asked if they considered their child's regular meal diet as 'limited', three fifths of respondents said 'yes'. However, just 23% of the parents taking part claimed that they had attempted to 'broaden' their child's eating preferences.
Fussy eaters were blamed as the main reason for it. With half explaining that their child simply won't eat vegetables.
Matthew Wood of vouchercloud.com, who conducted the research, commented on the findings:
"Children can be notoriously difficult when it comes to meal times, and it's a struggle that I think most parents across the nation would sympathise with. It was surprising to see just how few meals the average child eats, but seeing that so few parents have attempted to broaden their child's eating habits explains a lot. Whilst there's no magic cure for fussy eating, introducing new foods slowly and in small portions can help to ease the struggle; if not, the hands of time will likely do the trick!"
Tagged in food Parenting children's health vegetables