For most parents, getting their kids eat vegetables is a burden. Kids usually prefer macaroni and cheese over sautéed spinach and would just leave the greens untouched. For parents who wish to have their children take a healthier diet, there's still a way.
Researchers from Texas A&M found an easier way to lure kids into eating vegetables. The trick: just pair veggies with foods that the kids don't like that much and they will take the leafy greens instead, The Washington Post reports.
According to the report, the study analyzed plate waste data from nearly 8,500 students and they found a variable that tends to affect whether kids eat their broccoli, spinach or greens more than anything and that is-what else is on the plate.
"Our research team looked at whether there is a relationship between consumption of certain entrees and vegetables that would lead to plate waste," said Dr. Oral Capps Jr., an AgriLife Research economist and professor of agricultural economics, according to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The study found out that when vegetables are paired with chicken nuggets and burgers, vegetable waste rises significantly. However, when the veggies are paired with food that is not so delicious, the opposite thing happens. For instance, parents can serve deli sliders or baked potatoes and pair it with food that their children do not like that much.
"Entrees paired with potatoes-served as tater tots, oven-baked French fries, and wedges-experienced the least amount of overall waste," said Capps.
The data were collected by a team of "plate waste warriors," Texas A&M students who were paid by the hour to gather the trays containing leftover portions. Leftovers were separated into different waste bags and each bag was weighed on a scale for plate-waste measurement.
When students fall in line to take their lunch, a sticker was placed on their tray to identify the vegetable and entrée chosen. Students under the free lunch program were also evaluated for plate waste. The tray with the sticker was weighed and recorded to calculate overall food waste.
It is necessary for parents to urge their children to eat veggies because most kids don't. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out 10 children don't eat enough vegetables. The report suggests that children should eat a variety of colorful vegetables prepared in healthy ways.
"Our study shows that optimizing entrée-vegetable pairings in schools meals has the potential to positively impact vegetable consumption, which is especially important for those students relying on school meals for their energy and nutrient needs," said Capps.
