The non profit state agency First 5 California, recently polled California preschoolers and was pleasantly surprised to discover that children are aware fo what’s healthy for them, and actually like to eat fruit and vegetables :
“The research found the common belief that it’s an uphill battle to get young kids to eat healthy foods like broccoli or carrots is false,” said Kris Perry, executive director of state agency First 5 California. “We were thrilled to see preschoolers express real enthusiasm for a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as healthy drinks like milk.”
Granted, this study is very limited, only 100 preschoolers were interviewed. Nevertheless, it should be an encouragement to any parent to know that kids may actually like to eat real food.
What you need to know:
Fewer than half of California’s children ages 2 to 11 eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetable servings daily (5 or more servings), according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Further, almost 25 percent of them eat two or more servings of cookies, candy, doughnuts or popsicles every day.
What to do at the supermarket:
In California, a healthy cook booklet called “Yummy for Your Tummy” is available at www.first5california.com. and soon at Albertsons. At the supermarket, load up on fresh fruit and vegetables, and if you can’t find what you want, get it frozen. Canned fruits and vegetable pack in lots of sugar and salt, so take a good look at the nutrition label before buying.
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