Some kids are happy to snack on carrots and cucumbers while others want nothing more than sugar and white carbs. What makes the difference and how can you help them love veggies from the start?
Mum, it has a lot to do with what you eat and here’s why
Studies have shown that what a mother eats during pregnancy influences the receptiveness to certain taste profiles of weaning babies and children. Toddlers that had been exposed to flavours like anis or garlic in their amniotic fluid, were more likely to enjoy foods with these flavour profiles than those who had not.
Similarly, breastfed babies whose mothers regularly eat a variety of vegetables, are exposed to a diversity of flavours and will be more likely to eat them later on in life. So, if you are breastfeeding and regularly eat broccoli, your baby will subconsciously recognise the taste when trying it and won’t reject it.
However not all veggies are made the same
Infants have an innate preference for sweeter foods and an innate distaste for bitter foods. So unfortunately, all that kale you ate during pregnancy will not necessarily make your baby want to eat it straight away. Start with sweet or mild flavoured veggies like pumpkin, carrot, avocado and sweet potato. And serve up the more bitter veggies like green beans mixed with sweater tasting fruit.
Consistency is key
The more baby eats a specific food the more accustomed they will become to its taste. Feed them veggies daily and don’t give up on the ones they initially refuse. It may take up to 9 times for a baby to get used to and come to like a new food. Studies indicate that babies that were introduced to a variety of flavours consistently in the weaning period were more likely to eat more of them as toddlers and preschoolers.
Lead by example
Infants tend to model the behaviour of their caregivers and this includes eating. Which foods are safe to eat, how and when they should be eaten and how much is appropriate, are learnt in the family context. If you are eating your vegetables in front of your child they are more likely to eat it. This can be seen in children as young as 14 months and is particularly effective around 3 years old.
Rewards in form of praise also positively impact children’s vegetable consumption however pressure to eat negatively impacts it.
A fun little trick (and trust me this is also backed by science) is to expose them to images of food. Flashcards or storybooks with pictures of veggies can also help their acceptance of these foods.
So get creative!
GO PARENTS, YOU’VE GOT THIS!
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