The REAL reason your child refuses to eat vegetables – and the findings are eye-opening
- Research shows that parents’ facial expressions may be the cause
- Seeing others visibly dislike vegetables can lead to onlookers disliking them
Mothers and fathers are known to have difficulty getting their children to eat their vegetables.
And now a study suggests that parents’ facial expressions may be to blame.
Researchers from Aston University found that seeing others visibly dislike vegetables can lead onlookers to dislike them too.
Dr. Katie Edwards, lead author of the study, said: ‘If a child sees his or her parents showing disgust while eating vegetables, this could have negative consequences for children’s acceptance of vegetables.’
Mothers and fathers are known to have difficulty getting their children to eat their vegetables. And now a study suggests parents’ facial expressions could be to blame (stock image)
The team enlisted just over 200 young women, who were shown a video of an unknown adult eating raw broccoli. While eating, the model in the video had a positive (left), neutral or negative (right) facial expression
In the study, the researchers wanted to investigate whether watching someone else eat influences your own preferences.
The team enlisted just over 200 young women, who were shown a video of an unknown adult eating raw broccoli.
While eating, the model in the video had a positive, neutral or negative facial expression.
After watching the video, participants were asked about their taste and desire to eat raw broccoli.
Previous research has shown that behavior is more likely to be imitated when positive consequences are observed, while the reverse is true when negative consequences are observed.
However, in this new study, this correlation was only partially seen.
Participants who saw the clips with negative facial expressions saw a greater drop in like ratings, while the reverse was not true.
‘Watching others eat a raw vegetable with a positive facial expression did not increase adults’ taste or desire to eat,’ Ms Edwards explained.
Although the reason for this remains unclear, the researchers suggest that avoiding foods that seem disgusting may protect us from eating something harmful.
Meanwhile, smiling while eating is not a typical expression of liking food, Ms. Edwards said.
“This could imply that watching someone eat a raw vegetable with positive facial expressions does not appear to be an effective strategy for increasing vegetable consumption in adults,” she said.
This particular study focused on adults, although the researchers say the findings could be generalized to children as well.
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 portions of varied fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Basic meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole wheat
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole wheat bread and large baked potato with skin on
• Provide some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks), opting for lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish per week, one portion of which is fatty)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small quantities
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day
• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell guide