A staggering 78% of parents claim that their child possesses a “mature palate” and gravitates towards food typically consumed by adults, according to a survey of 2,000 parents with school-age children (ages 5-17).
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Veggies Made Great, shed light on the preferred lunch choices of children, revealing some surprisingly “grown-up” favorites.
Among vegetables, carrots (45%), cucumbers (43%), and potatoes (44%) topped the list, while apples (45%), bananas (44%), and oranges (41%) were the favored fruits.
In terms of protein, more than half of parents (55%) reported that their child prefers chicken for lunch, significantly surpassing ham (39%), which proved to be the least popular option.
Interestingly, the survey unveiled that 58% of children tend to deviate from their friends’ food choices, opting for vegetables (43%), fruits (37%), and meats (37%) that none of their peers would eat.
What drives children’s preferences? According to 53% of parents, it’s all about the flavor. Good aroma (46%) and the shareability of food with friends (45%) also played a role in influencing children’s choices.
When it comes to breakfast, pancakes (29%) emerged as the favored option, surpassing croissants (14%) and waffles (10%).
Moreover, a warm breakfast significantly surpassed a cold one in popularity (56% vs. 23%).
In addition to traditional breakfast items, children have expressed their desire for additional treats, ranging from chocolate (36%) and donuts (36%) to pizza (34%) and cookies (34%).
Snack time for kids is incomplete without staple items such as fruits (37%), yogurt (36%), crackers (36%), smoothies (34%), and popcorn (34%).
However, when it comes to lunch, 56% of parents reported that their child “always” or “often” leaves this meal uneaten, with vegetables being the most common leftovers (46%).
“Eating balanced meals throughout the day has been shown in multiple studies to impact children’s behavior and academic potential,” explained Carolyn O’Neil, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for Veggies Made Great. “Nutrition has an influence on factors we don’t always associate with it, such as focus and mental clarity.”
Is there a correlation between food preferences and academic achievements? Among parents who acknowledged that their child excels academically, an overwhelming majority mentioned that their child prefers potatoes (98%) and carrots (97%) for lunch. In contrast, parents of underperforming students were less likely to cite these preferences (60% and 53%, respectively).
As children grow older, their food preferences tend to change. Over half of the parents (56%) stated that their child’s palate has evolved over the years, with friends (34%) and influencers or celebrities (34%) playing a significant role in shaping these shifts.
The survey also revealed that most children prefer homemade lunches over school-provided meals (75% vs. 10%).
Furthermore, 37% of parents noted that their child is more likely to finish their entire lunch compared to other meals, with only 25% consuming their entire breakfast and a mere 18% finishing their dinner servings.
“While 77% of polled parents wish their child would eat healthier, it can be challenging to find the time to prepare three nutritious meals each day, especially with multiple children,” said Elliot Huss, CEO of Veggies Made Great. “Quick and convenient options that combine vegetables with kid-friendly flavors, such as chocolate, can help ensure kids are getting their daily servings of veggies in a familiar format they love.”
REASONS WHY KIDS LIKE CERTAIN FOODS:
- They taste good – 53%
- They smell good – 46%
- They’re shareable (easy to share with friends) – 45%
- Their friends eat it – 41%
- Their favorite influencer or celebrity eats it – 40%
- They’re bite-size – 40%
Survey Methodology:
This survey included 2,000 American parents of school-age children (ages 5-17) and followed a random double-opt-in process. Veggies Made Great commissioned the survey between February 21 and February 22, 2023. The study was conducted by OnePoll, a market research company with team members who are members of the Market Research Society and hold corporate membership in the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).