PARENTS have always had issues trying to expand their children’s palettes as kids tend to gravitate towards nuggets and refuse veggies – though there’s the occasional unicorn who enjoys broccoli.
However, that might soon be ending as a new study has revealed that 69 percent of parents say they want their kids to eat more plant-based foods and 72 percent of parents say their children are more open to trying new foods than they were at the same age.
A poll of 2,005 parents of school-aged children (5-17) found that kids are more open to trying new things than their parents were at the same age.
The study, conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Sabra, aimed to discover how kids and parents approach healthy eating and found that 85 percent of parents say they want to provide better snack options for their children than they had as kids.
The push for parents to offer healthy snacks may stem from the simple fact that 76 percent of adults feel they snacked on way too much junk food as a kid.
The good news is 74 percent of parents have found success, saying their kids have a much healthier diet than they did.
And parents are fulfilling their kids’ desires by choosing snacks they already know their kids will like.
But, unfortunately, two in five parents simply don’t have the time to provide healthy snacks for their kids.
Sixty-three percent go on to say they wish providing healthy snacks was less time-consuming.
And 57 percent of parents still struggle to find snacks that are ‘better for them’ AND that they’d want to eat.
Forty-five percent of respondents admit to avoiding giving their children healthy snacks for fear of their kids not enjoying them.
“While kids can still be selective, they are really open to trying new things so long as the choices offered taste great. This can be simple with fruits, cut up veggies with dip and snacks like Sabra Kids, a line of plant-based snacks for kids,” said Jason Levine, CMO for Sabra.
While kids are now more open-minded when it comes to trying new food, sometimes they still need a bit of coaxing. Seven in 10 parents say they will get their kids to try a new snack if they “dare” them.
Sixty-three percent of parents say their kids really enjoy eating plant-based foods. Sixty-two percent of parents say their kids like vegetables that they themselves still despise to this day including spinach (20 percent), green beans (19 percent), apples (19 percent), and tomatoes (18 percent).
What is motivating kids to opt for better foods and snacks, aside from parents daring them? Over a third (34 percent) say their children are curious about plant-based foods and 74 percent say their kids want to eat more plant-based because it’s better for the planet.
Over a quarter (27 percent) say their kids have embraced vegetarianism and another 23 percent are raising flexitarian children – who prioritize plant-based foods.
“Busy parents have been challenged when it comes to finding great-tasting snacks they feel really proud of giving their kids,” added Levine.
“But with a little planning and smart choices, incorporating more plant-based foods into your kids’ meals can be as simple as it is delicious.”
