Three Scientific Reasons Your
Kids Don’t Love Their Veggies
An article submitted by friend and shopper of the Bexley Farmers' Market, Maria Cannon.
If your children aren’t in love with vegetables, you’re not alone. Children have a propensity to pass on the vegetable serving in the majority, if not all, of their meals. As it turns out, they’re not just being stubborn -- there’s some pretty compelling research that suggests why.
According to a study by the University of Pittsburgh’s Rose Gerber, kids don’t like vegetables for three scientific-based reasons. Let’s take a look at each and get some ideas to overcome them.
Reason #1
Kids unwittingly turn to foods that give them lots of fuel. And fuel most often comes in the form of sugar, the “body’s preferred fuel.” Since veggies aren’t high in calories, and because they contain so much fiber to digest, children gravitate toward foods that give them immediate energy boosts that last longer.
Solutions:
Add vegetables to your diet that are the highest energy boosters. Two good examples are spinach and sweet potatoes. Spinach is an iron-rich food that supplies oxygen to your tissues, and this means less fatigue. And sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate that not only gives you long-lasting energy, but it also reduces hunger between meals.
Add vegetables to your diet that are the highest energy boosters. Two good examples are spinach and sweet potatoes. Spinach is an iron-rich food that supplies oxygen to your tissues, and this means less fatigue. And sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate that not only gives you long-lasting energy, but it also reduces hunger between meals.
While you’re talking to your children about boosting their energy, also talk to them about ways to make their brain work better. Vegetables like kale, broccoli, and asparagus all have ingredients that naturally boost brain power.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Reason #2
Vegetables are just plain bitter. Calcium, as well as other beneficials like flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes, and glucosinolates, all combine to make things that don’t taste very good. And while adults adjust to it over time, kids haven’t had the time to get used to it.
Solutions:
A study in the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that when you pair raw veggies with a familiar dip your child likes, such as hummus or ranch dip, your child will be more likely to eat it. Also, turn your veggies sweet by mastering some kid-friendly smoothies. Start with these simple steps.
1. Pick a non-dairy milk for a base. They make for the best consistency.
2. Add a ripe banana.
3. Add another fruit your child enjoys, like strawberries or blueberries.
4. Add a vegetable.
5. Consider an optional protein add-in.
6. Blend to ensure it has a creamy texture.
7. Serve it in something your child enjoys, whether it’s a frosted mug or a sundae dish with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Reason #3
There’s this psychological factor thing called “paired associative learning,” where children seek foods that provide a specific response, such as a birthday cake or candy that’s associated with happy memories. For them, veggies probably don’t elicit much in the way of fun memories.
Solutions:
Time to pair veggies with a fun memory too. A good way to get started is by making a weekly or bi-weekly visit to your community farmers market to pick up eggs, honey, and some unusual vegetables they may not see at the supermarket. Here are some ways to make fun memories that your child will associate with the veggies they get there.
1. Let them carry a purse or wallet with their own cash for shopping.
2. Introduce them to the farmer’s that are selling their goods so they can build
relationships.
3. Try to find a unique vegetable to try each week. Then, go home and search online for fun recipes that they’ll enjoy cooking with their purchase.
4. Offer them a weekly reward for finding and eating their vegetables, such as local honey for a sweet treat or some hard candy that might be sold there.
Let them use their veggies for fun art before eating. Whether it’s a hat of lettuce or artwork from different colored veggies, give them the opportunity to be creative so they’re associating fun with their vegetables.
Once you’ve worked through these scientific roadblocks, you’ll need to find ways to keep consistent -- and this means repeating exposure. Whether it’s weekly trips to the market or regularly making veggie artwork, keep your child engaged in trying veggies. On average, it takes 10 to 15 times to really figure out you don’t like something, so make sure they give each veggie a chance.
Our producers for market on Thursday, August 2 include:
9N
Bluegreen Gardens
Brown Bros. Farm
Chuck Evans' MONTEZUMA Brand Salsa & Sauces
Crazy Cucumber
Dan the Baker
Gerry's Garden
Grassroots Graziers
Growlers Dog Bones
Harriet Gardens
Hirsch Fruit Farm
Kennedy Farms
Kingdom Fish
Ohio City Pasta
Omega Bun
Rainbow Bee
Rhoads Farm
SaraBee Pure Honey
Solo Merengues
Sweet Thing Gourmet
Two Roasting Joes
Our Musical Entertainment: Wry Grass
Our Community Table: St. Vincent Family Center
Join us every Thursday through October from 4:00-7:00 PM, rain or shine!
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Bexley Farmers’ Market
Intersection of Dawson and Main
Bexley, Ohio 43209
For more information, or questions related to any of our services, please contact us via email at info@bexleyfarmersmarket.ORG. (Please note the change to our email address.)
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