Someone’s not getting their five a day! Fussy children complain MOST about eating Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions, survey finds

• A study of 1,000 children aged 5-11 showed the top 30 most-avoided foods
• Many of the items on the list were fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes
• However more surprising ones that made the list included chocolate and cheese 
• The survey found that 14 per cent of parents believe their child is a fussy eater 

Children who are fussy eaters tend to complain most about eating Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions, according to a survey. 

The study of 1,000 parents of children aged between five and 11 showed the top 30 foods they are most likely to avoid. 

Many of the items on the list were fruit and vegetables, such as tomatoes and broccoli – but other risky foodstuffs included fish, chicken and eggs. 

Other more surprising features on the list included chocolate and cheese.  

VIVIO Junior Multivitamin commissioned the research, which also found that 14 per cent of parents believe their child is a fussy eater. 

Children who are fussy eaters tend to complain most about eating Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions, according to a survey (file image)

Struggles with mealtimes leave around a fifth of parents feeling disappointed, confused or embarrassed, it found. 

But parents are keen to find a solution to the issue, with 92 per cent of those with picky eaters admitting they hide fruit and vegetables in the food so their child doesn’t know they’re eating them. 

Another trick is the ‘try it once rule’, used by 15 per cent of parents, where children must eat a little bit of their food before they can decide they dislike it.  

In addition, 82 per cent of parents felt frustrated when children don’t eat the food they’ve spent time making, and nine in 10 worry about their health as a result of being fussy. 

The study of 1,000 parents of children aged between five and 11 showed the top 30 foods they are most likely to avoid

Fussy eaters tend to be opposed to having too much of one type of food, having food with bits in, having too much flavour or disliking colours and textures.  

Eva Hill Hamilton, a clinical nutritionist at VIVIO, said: ‘Ensuring your child eats a rainbow of fruits and vegetables to get those all-important vitamins and minerals in their diet is no easy task for parents.

‘It’s clear from the research that mums and dads can feel frustrated, and even ashamed, if their child is fussy when it comes to food. 

‘The majority of foods youngsters seem to dislike are those that will provide the most beneficial nutrients for your child’s overall health and immunity – so it’s important for fussy eaters in particular to get the right levels of vitamins from somewhere else.’

What are the foods children are most fussy about eating? 

Avocado was number five on the list

Source: Read Full Article